France, Great Britain & the United States after World War I

But first… On a piece of lined paper answer the following questions: On a piece of lined paper answer the following questions: 1. How and why did the fascists succeed in obtaining power in Italy? 2. Why were Great Britain and France “joyless victors” after World War I? 3. What foreign policy problems did France have after the Treaty of Versailles?

What we already know The war had a serious economic, political and social impact on the world. The war had a serious economic, political and social impact on the world. New governments: no more Austo- Hungarian empire, creation of Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc. New governments: no more Austo- Hungarian empire, creation of Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc. Countries had to repay war debt or reparations Countries had to repay war debt or reparations More than 5 million killed in the war More than 5 million killed in the war

1. France Between 1920 & 1938 International relations: France becomes a major power in Europe International relations: France becomes a major power in Europe Domestic Issues: Political change Domestic Issues: Political change Focused on strengthening economy and maintaining security Focused on strengthening economy and maintaining security

1A. Impact of the war on France Problems resulting from WWI Problems resulting from WWI 85% of farmland destroyed 85% of farmland destroyed Population and workforce declined Population and workforce declined Owed debt to foreign nations Owed debt to foreign nations

1B. The Third Republic in France Highly democratic government Highly democratic government A coalition of leftist parties controlled the government A coalition of leftist parties controlled the government Frequent changes in leadership resulted in frequent changes in domestic and foreign policy Frequent changes in leadership resulted in frequent changes in domestic and foreign policy Between the end of WWI and 1933, France was governed by more than 27 different cabinets Between the end of WWI and 1933, France was governed by more than 27 different cabinets

1C. France During the Great Depression Began feeling the effects in 1931 Began feeling the effects in 1931 Unemployment was never a major issue in France Unemployment was never a major issue in France Economic downturn resulted in the ceasing of reparation payments to France Economic downturn resulted in the ceasing of reparation payments to France As the economy tightened, the risk for right- wing violence against the leftist coalition increased. As the economy tightened, the risk for right- wing violence against the leftist coalition increased.

1D. French Reaction to the Great Depression “Popular Front” – A coalition of socialist parties that controlled France between 1936 and 1938 “Popular Front” – A coalition of socialist parties that controlled France between 1936 and 1938 Wanted protection from far-right groups like Action Franciase and Croix de Feu that were hostile towards parliamentary, socialist and communist governments. Wanted protection from far-right groups like Action Franciase and Croix de Feu that were hostile towards parliamentary, socialist and communist governments.

1E. Preparation for Another Foreign Invasion Maginot Line – Underground fortifications on border of Germany and Luxembourg. Maginot Line – Underground fortifications on border of Germany and Luxembourg. Named after Andre Maginot, the French Minister of War between 1922 and 1924 Named after Andre Maginot, the French Minister of War between 1922 and 1924 Believed that the line would be able to hold off a German invasion long enough for the French army to mobilize and respond. Believed that the line would be able to hold off a German invasion long enough for the French army to mobilize and respond.

1.E Preparation for Another Foreign Invasion

2. Great Britain Social Changes Social Changes Economic Challenges Economic Challenges Declining Empire Declining Empire

1a. Social Changes in Great Britain During the war, many women worked in factories to support the war effort. During the war, many women worked in factories to support the war effort. After the war, women were more independent. The smoked, drank and earned the right to vote in After the war, women were more independent. The smoked, drank and earned the right to vote in “Flappers” – young women who where independent, progressive, dressed differently, wore their hair differently “Flappers” – young women who where independent, progressive, dressed differently, wore their hair differently

2b. Economic Problems in Great Britain Growth of the United States and Japan caused foreign trade to decline Growth of the United States and Japan caused foreign trade to decline Great Britain did modernize production methods Great Britain did modernize production methods Britain borrowed heavily to pay for the war Britain borrowed heavily to pay for the war

1b. Economic Challenges The working class became unionized The working class became unionized May, 1926, 2 million workers went on strike over plans to reduce wages and to lengthen working hours. This was called the General Strike May, 1926, 2 million workers went on strike over plans to reduce wages and to lengthen working hours. This was called the General Strike In response to the Great Depression, Britain put duties on foreign goods in an attempt to stimulate economic growth In response to the Great Depression, Britain put duties on foreign goods in an attempt to stimulate economic growth Reduced government spending Reduced government spending Relocated unemployed workers Relocated unemployed workers

1c. Decline of the Empire Colonies wanted independence from the British Empire Colonies wanted independence from the British Empire British Commonwealth of Nations – a term coined in 1917 that described the nations that were part of the British Empire British Commonwealth of Nations – a term coined in 1917 that described the nations that were part of the British Empire British dominions earned equal status and rights to Great Britain British dominions earned equal status and rights to Great Britain The Monarch was the symbolic head of the Commonwealth The Monarch was the symbolic head of the Commonwealth Cooperated in both trade and defense Cooperated in both trade and defense In India, Gandhi campaigned for independence from Great Britain In India, Gandhi campaigned for independence from Great Britain

United States after WWI Re-adopted an isolationist policy and wanted to stay out of European affairs Re-adopted an isolationist policy and wanted to stay out of European affairs Dawes Plan – revised Germany’s responsibility for reparations Dawes Plan – revised Germany’s responsibility for reparations Germany was having difficulty paying reparations Germany was having difficulty paying reparations Charles G. Dawes, an American banker, was asked by the Allied Reparations Committee to investigate the problem. Charles G. Dawes, an American banker, was asked by the Allied Reparations Committee to investigate the problem. institute annual payments of reparations on a fixed scale. institute annual payments of reparations on a fixed scale. Reorganize the German State Bank and increase foreign loans. Reorganize the German State Bank and increase foreign loans.

United States after WWI Great Depression caused massive unemployment across the nation Great Depression caused massive unemployment across the nation FDR elected president in 1932 FDR elected president in 1932 Passed New Deal legislation to provide relief Passed New Deal legislation to provide relief Worked to limit tariffs to promote world trade Worked to limit tariffs to promote world trade