Conflict and Change in Europe to the 21st century

“The Great War” – 1914 to 1918

Scramble for Africa 1884 – Berlin West African Conf. European nations divided Africa into colonies Tried to secure colonies for.. Natural resources New markets Strategic advantages in case of war

Countries had built up resentments towards each other. Conflict over the same lands and resources Developed strong militaries to protect their colonies. Military presence in colonies to maintain order Felt FIERCE pride in their countries and possessions.

Imperialism: A country controlling the government & economy of another country Rivalries developed as countries tried to grab colonies. Conflicts occurred over colonies in Africa and Asia. European countries resented and distrusted each other. Nationalism: A FIERCE pride in one’s country Many countries wanted to be free from the control of other nations. Militarism: Having the MOST POWERFUL military Tensions built up as countries increased their militaries. Alliances: Countries protected themselves and their colonies by forming alliances with other countries Summarization

Problems began between Serbia and Austria-Hungary Assassination of A-H’s Archduke Francis Ferdinand – heir to the throne – in 1914 was the immediate cause of WWI. Killed by a Serbian nationalist who wanted to free Bosnia from the Austro- Hungarian Empire and unite it with Serbia. A-H was allied with Germany Serbia was allied with Russia Germany declared war on Russia 4 days after the assassination – domino effect started. (America’s Got Talent example)domino effect

If Europe had not divided itself into alliances, do you think WWI would have spread to as many countries? Explain. How did empire building affect each of the following: Nationalism Militarism

Europe suffered major destruction Almost 22 million soldiers and civilians died. Results of the conflict... Economic Crisis Radical changes in government Decline in power of many European countries

Treaty that ended WWI – signed in Versailles, France in It made Germany take full blame for the war... and had to... Give up 1 million square miles of land after the war. Most of the land lost was rich in natural resources that could have been used to generate income. (Some land had been acquired during the war.) Accept full responsibility for causing the war and pay reparations to other countries for their losses and damages. $35 billion in reparations Difficult because Germany had to also rebuild its own economy and country. Limit its armed forces and stop production of nearly all war materials. Also, could NOT unite with Austria.

Germany was very bitter and angry about the terms of the treaty. Factories closed, people lost their jobs, and economically Germany suffered greatly. People started to rise up and protest as economic conditions worsened. Germany became isolated from and distrusted by other countries.

Created the League of Nations A group of nations that vowed to work together to ensure a world war wouldn’t happen again. USA Senate didn’t ratify the treaty – never became a member of the League of Nations. Turned out to be weak because it had no power to enforce their decisions.

List 4 restrictions that the Treaty of Versailles put on Germany. How did Germany feel about this treaty?

WWI exposed Russia’s weaknesses…troops were poorly equipped and their leaders weren’t that good Fought with the Allies in WWI Suffered terrible losses Food shortages, coal shortages, troops exhausted After 2 ½ years of war, 9 million Russian troops were killed, wounded, or missing. Russian people were unhappy & blamed the government In 1917, Russian Revolution began and the government was overthrown Workers united and overthrew the monarchy – Tsar Nicholas II Major cause of Russian Revolution was the differences between the social and economic classes in Russia.

February 1917 Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution begins – communist party Loss of land and heavy casualties reason for pullout of WWI and start of revolution 3 Parts of the Russian Revolution February Revolution – resulted in the overthrow of the czar People were upset over their involvement in WWI and how the czar was running the country October Revolution – marked the first communist revolution of the 20th century Led by Vladimir Lenin Based on the ideas of Karl Marx More violent than the first revolution Civil War – third phase Last more than 2 years Bolsheviks retained control

March 2, 1917 Nicholas II abdicates and flees with his family Revolts spring up from war shortages Troops join in revolts – weak government followed 1918 Vladimir Lenin becomes dictator Spreads revolutionary ideas of a better life and fairness for all under communism July 1918 Nicholas II and family executed Rumors that daughter Anastasia survived Romanov family was the last royal family of Russia Ended 300 years of Romanov rule and 400 years of czarist rule November 1918 World War I ends

1922 U.S.S.R. declared by Lenin Russia and 15 smaller republics under one control

Russian citizens were happy and wealthy under Tsar Nicholas II. Russia suffered terrible losses after WWI and the people were tired of being hungry, cold, and ravaged by war. Russian monarchy was overthrown in the Russian Revolution. The Bolshevik, or Communist Party, took over after the Russian Revolution.

Worldwide Depression World’s economy slumped into a worldwide depression after WWI. Suffered great loss of life and property damage. Borrowed $$$ to pay for war costs – no $$$ to repay debts. Industry, shipping and trade affected. MASSIVE Inflation Inflation – prices rise and money loses value Can’t buy as much tomorrow as you did today with the same amount of $$$

Worldwide depression affected the USA too... Suffered from the Great Depression beginning in October 1929 and lasted into the 1930’s. Longest period of unemployment and low economic activity in modern times. By 1932, 1 in 4 Americans did not have a job. That’s 25% of people. Review... List 4 reasons for the worldwide depression after WWI. Why is massive unemployment such a serious problem in any country?

After WWI, Weimar Republic (democratic) is in charge of Germany. Faced major problems... Worldwide depression, unemployment, riots in the streets. The people did not believe that their leaders could improve the situation. They had lost all hope! An angry, humiliated, bitter, and desperate Germany will appoint Adolf Hitler chancellor in 1933.appoint Adolf Hitler chancellor He will give hope to the German people by promising them jobs, food, money, etc. (Resulted from paying reparations.)

Hitler was leader of the Nazi party. Nazis believed in fascism... Where a strong central government is controlled by the military and run by a dictator. Wrote a book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle), which described his ideas on how to strengthen Germany. Only after becoming leader legitimately, he will make himself “Fuhrer” and turn into a cruel and vicious dictator. Believed that the Aryans (Germans) were the “master race”. Racist feelings against Jews, Slavs, gypsies and blacks.

Offered solutions for Germany’s economic problems. Appealed to German nationalism by calling for an increase in armed forces and expansion of German territory. Violations of the Treaty of Versailles. Convinced Germans that the Nazi could protect them From potential enemies like Russia. United Germans against Jews by blaming the Jews for Germany’s problems. Organized private, armed groups to terrorize anyone who opposed them. Few people spoke out against them inside or outside Germany.

Germany’s form of government after WWI... Leader of the Nazi party... Define fascism... Book that defined Hitler’s solutions... Racist feelings of 4 groups... 3 reasons why the Nazis gained power...