Chapter 26: Political Experiments of the 1920’s

Political and Economic Factors after the Paris Settlement Many calls to revise the treaty ◦ Minorities still unhappy ◦ French demands for enforcement ◦ Reparations Economic Dislocation ◦ Millions of consumers and talent lost ◦ Europe becomes a debtor nation to the U.S. ◦ European countries concerned with their own economic interests Government vs. Labor ◦ Workers wanted their share of their hard work ◦ Unions became even more powerful

The Soviet Experiment Begins The formation of the Soviet Union was the single most transformative event in post WWI Europe The Bolsheviks eventually defeated the White Russian armies and consolidated their grip on the country with the formation of a new secret police (Cheka…will become the KGB) War communism: All industrial and economic policy made at the top and centralized.

The Soviet Union’s Far Reaching Political and Social Experiment The New Economic Policy ◦ Lenin allowed for some private ownership of property and business other than banking, heavy industry, transportation and international commerce ◦ Was opposed by many and was not successful.

The Soviet Union’s Far Reaching Political and Social Experiment Stalin vs. Trotsky ◦ Argued over the direction of the country. ◦ Stalin was harshly criticized by Lenin as being too brutal. ◦ Trotsky wanted rapid industrialization and support from other revolutions while Stalin wanted a slower industrialization and socialism in Russia alone. ◦ Stalin, with his control over day to day operations of the party eventually won out ◦ Trotsky was exiled and eventually murdered in Mexico City

The Soviet Union’s Far Reaching Political and Social Experiment Women and the Family ◦ Early outlooks after the revolution were quite utopian in what life for women would look like. ◦ Some wanted an expansion of sexual freedom and a more complete sharing of household duties. ◦ Women were given far more freedoms than one saw in the west (right to abortion in1920, voting, workplace protection, right to hold high positions in party)

The Fascist Experiment In Italy Italy witnessed the first authoritarian political experiment in Western Europe. Fascism: Right wing dictatorship that are generally anti-communist, anti-democratic, and anti-Semetic Want to unite the various classes and groups within a nation to achieve great national purpose Characterized by one party rule, terrorism and police surveillance.

Mussolini and the Fascist Seizure of Power in Italy Benito Mussolini was a veteran of WWI. Postwar politics in Italy were in turmoil Felt Italy had not been treated as an equal after the war Vast amount of internal turmoil, strikes and lack of government control and cooperation. Formed his own party and began using intimidation and terror to consolidate power

Mussolini and the Fascist Seizure of Power in Italy His party won 34 seats in the election of 1921 and his movement continued to grow. In October 1922, his followers, dressed in black shirts, began to march on Rome. King Victor Emmanuel III refused to allow the army to stop them. The cabinet resigned in protest and the king asked Mussolini to become prime minister.

Mussolini and the Fascist Seizure of Power in Italy Mussolini was given dictatorial powers for 1 year to deal with internal issues. He used this power to rewrite election laws to give himself the power to rule by decree and only 1 party was allowed, the Fascists. He made peace with the Catholic Church over seizure of church land during the unification of Italy.

Joyless Victors Compared to Italy and Russia, postwar political development of France and Great Britain seemed tame. But they were both suffering much internal trouble

French Determination to Enforce the Versailles Treaty France became very conservative after the war. They were determined to enforce the terms of the treaty as well as achieve future security against Germany and Russia. This led to a large amount of frequent changes in government. Between 1918 and 1933, 27 different governments came to power. (A change approximately every 6 months on average)

French Determination to Enforce the Versailles Treaty France was determined to keep Germany weak and to try and build up a new alliance system to replace the alliance with the former Russian Empire. France made smaller alliances with Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia. Germany and the Soviet Union felt in danger and isolated due to this which drove them to begin cooperating economically and militarily.

French Determination to Enforce the Versailles Treaty In 1923, France declares Germany in default of it’s reparation payments. As a result, they sent troops to occupy the Ruhr, which had much of Germany’s industrial capacity. (See Map Page 903) Germany gave in, but this fostered bitterness towards the French.

The Ruhr Valley/French Occupation

Trials of the Successor States in Eastern Europe The newly democratized countries (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Austria) all faced many issues as they struggled in the aftermath of World War I. Economic and political dislocation was very common.

Trials of the Successor States in Eastern Europe These countries had no history of democratic leadership. ◦ Poland  Beset with multiple nationalities that resented Polish influence. Different administration and government in different regions. ◦ Hungary  Established a short-lived Soviet Republic. This was replaced by a regency under Admiral Horthy. Angry at territory lost. Anti-semitism on the rise.

Trials of the Successor States in Eastern Europe ◦ Czechoslovakia  A viable democratic experiment took shape. They had a strong industrial base and a tradition of liberal values. Beset by issues with minorities within the country, tensions between Czechs and Slovaks and intense German nationalism within the Sudetenland. ◦ Austria  Political turmoil as several political parties used small armies to terrorize their opponents. Settlement forbade union with Germany.

The Weimar Republic in Germany The leaders of the republic, who signed the Treaty of Versailles under threat of invasion, were forever associated with national disgrace and the economic burdens of the treaty. Other issued included ◦ Constitutional flaws: The president could rule by decree which allowed for a presidential dictatorship

The Weimar Republic in Germany Lack of loyalty from the majority of Germans ◦ The officer corps deeply distrusted the civilian government and the majority of citizens never recognized the legitimacy of the republic Extreme nationalism ◦ Continued humiliation and econimic issues allowed the hyper-national Nazi party to arise.

Reparations, Inflation, Political Turmoil and the rise of Nazism in the Weimar Republic Payment of reparations, the occupation of the Ruhr and massive debt led to extreme inflation. ◦ By 1923, 1 U.S. Dollar was worth more than 800,000,000 German Marks because so much money had been printed. ◦ The economy was in shambles, and people were desperate for order and security at almost any cost. Enter the Nazi Party.

In Perspective By the close of the 1920’s, Europe appeared finally to have emerged from the difficulties of World War I. ◦ The Soviet Union was busy with it’s own internal issues ◦ The bitterness of the Treaty of Versailles had seemed to abated ◦ The major powers were cooperating ◦ Democracy, even with difficulties, was still operating in Germany

In Perspective American capital was flowing into Europe The economic problems of early in the decade were fading But……. ◦ On the horizon was the worst economic crisis in modern western history ◦ People then turn from the search for liberty, to the search for stability and order….with tragic consequences.