The Western Democracies

Postwar Problems War shook people’s confidence in Enlightenment belief that problems would be solved through the use of reason and technology Not all nationalist groups were satisfied Europe saw Bolshevism as a threat Germany opposed Versailles terms Europe lacked strong leaders when they needed them most

In Pursuit of Peace Locarno Agreements 1925 solved border disputes Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 renounced war as an instrument of nat’l policy yet there was no way to enforce this Nations agreed to discuss “disarmament” but couldn’t decide how much Great faith was put into LON but that too was powerless to stop aggression

Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928

Disturbances to Peace Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Germany reoccupies the Rhineland 1936 The LON did nothing to stop it – had no way to stop it. LON was seen as weak without US participation

Economic Collapse US emerged as strongest econ power American bank loans kept European economies afloat Dawes Plan Overproduction was key problem due to strong demand during war & improved technology However demand fell after the war & imbalance emerged Led to closing of factories and lost of jobs

The 1929 Crash Stocks rose thru-out the 1920s Many bought stocks on margin When brokers called in their loans & couldn’t pay this led to panic sellling & eventually the Black Tuesday crash. This triggered the Great Depression although this was not the only cause of it US banks also bought stocks so many of the banks that used to loan Europe % also collapsed.

Global Impact of Depression US banks could no longer loan Europe @ Jobless could not consume products Factories therefore laid off workers Unemployed lost homes & stood in bread lines and ate in soup kitchens US passed highest tariff in its history (Smoot-Hawley tariff) This kept European goods outside of US Europe retaliated and kept US goods out

Impact of Tariff Wars All countries were hurt by these tariff wars All lost access to international markets As trade declined, unemployment worldwide increased Many lost hope in democratic government & capitalist system This was fertile ground for radical ideologies such as Communism Rightwing extremists would appeal to nat’lm & virtues of authoritarian rule

Britain in Postwar Era Brit emerged from the war deeply in debt with much of its overseas trade lost Factories were out of date Unemployment rose Wages remained low which led to strikes The 1926 General Strike involved 3 million workers & lasted 9 days Labor party won elections & was moving toward socialism

General Strike 1926 Paralyzed the British Economy

British Middle Class Supported conservatives who feared Communists After the general strike laws were passed to limiting the workers’ right to strike Great Depression exacerbated Brit’s problems Gov formed coalition gov with leaders from all 3 major parties Gov provided some direct relief to people

Irish Flag

Irish Independence Irish demanded independence or Home Rule When Brits failed to grant home rule in 1919 civil war erupted in Ireland. Members of the Irish Republican Army carried out a guerilla war In 1922 most of Ireland became independent (Eire) Northern Ireland that was predominantly Protestant remained British

Commonwealth of Nations 1931 all former colonies became self-governing dominions within the Commonwealth of Nations. They maintain economic & cultural ties.

Britain, France & Scandivania Faced enormous economic challenges after the War. Strikes Unemployment Political unrest These govs all weathered the crises and democracy was preserved. Not so in Germany & Italy which will become fascist.

Maginot Line This was France’s postwar defense policy. Created false sense of security. Nazis will simply bypass it during WWII which will humiliate the Fremch

Boom & Bust in the US Overproduction/underconsumption Stocks on margin Black Tuesday, Great Crash

Hoovervilles USA

The New Deal FDR pursued deficit spending to accomplish his 3 “Rs” Relief, recovery and reform. New laws regulated the Stock Market and banking New programs put millions back to work Social security provided pensions to elderly Did not end the Depression but eased the suffering.

Elements of Fascism Militant political movement Demanded political obedience to the state Extreme form of nationalism. Authoritarian, one-party states Expansionist No defined theory or ideology like the Communists had Fascists wore uniforms, used special salutes & held mass rallies Censorship

Fascism continued Indoctrination Secret police Racist Economic functions controlled by the state but usually with cooperation industrialists

How Fascism & Communism are similar Ruled by dictators, one-party rule Denied individual rights State was supreme No democracy or basic civil rights

How Fascism & Communism are different Fascists did not seek “classless” society Fascists believed each class had its place & function Fascists were made up of aristocrats & industrialists, war veterans & lower middle classes. Fascists were nationalists where Communists were internationalists seeking hoping to launch world revolution among workers.