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Towards the 2nd World War
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Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles and the terms it set would prove to be problematic from the very beginning.
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Treaty of Versailles Germany Lost land- Reparations- War guilt-
East to Poland, West to France, oversee colonies. Reparations- Puts them in great debt War guilt- Complete blame for the war
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Treaty of Versailles Germany’s Military: Reduced army to 100,000 men
No tanks, submarines, or air force Area west of Rhineland became demilitarized Allies soldiers to act as police
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League of Nations Goal Promote international cooperation International security U.S. congress is afraid of being pulled into disputes Does not ratify it.
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Problems with the Treaty
Alienated the Germans a. Dictated peace Germans blame politicians a. Undermine legitimacy U.S. Senate does not ratify a. Isolationism Britain seeks accommodation with Germany Italy embittered a. Not rewarded after switch Russia was not invited to Versailles a. Distrust of Western powers
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Germany 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II is dethroned
aristocracy is broken up Germany ruled coalition of parties THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC (constitutional) Opposition from military and radical parties In 1933 Germany changes its Governmental make-up
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Germany’s Choices… COMMUNISTS:
Elected councils of workers should run government. Industry should be owned by the government The power of the military should be reduced SOCIAL DEMOCRATS Government should be run by elected representatives from all parties. A constitution should safeguard the rights of minorities and workers NATIONALISTS The wealthy and the army should run government. Radical democracy should be outlawed and Jews and foreigners prohibited. Industry should be privately owned military’s power increased
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Rise of Fascism Fascism Mussolini Italy in 1920’s One-party government
Glorified the nation at expense of basic human rights Mussolini
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Rise of Nazi’s Party Political instability
Reparations crippled the German economy National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi) Born from ideas of fascism. Aggressive actions to ensure the survival of the state Advocated a policy of racial discrimination.
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Extremist Groups in Germany
Ex-Soldiers- Felt gov’t betrayed them. Believe they were not defeated on the field– they join right wing groups Free-corps, Nazi party Many feared a communist rising Right wing groups seen as protection against communists. All voiced opposition to reparation payments.
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What gave Nazi party power?
Military uniforms demonstrated strength and discipline Rhetoric (persuasive speaking) Discredit opponents and develop support References to traditional values Promises of return to glory Reminders of ‘Who was to blame’ The Hitler Youth Building towards a proud future.
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Adolf Hitler Born in Austria WWI Failed artist skilled as an orator
Corporal Failed artist skilled as an orator Joins Nazi party (1919) Leads a failed coup Sent to prison Take-away: Power must come by legal means
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While in jail, he writes: Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
Outlines political philosophy Germany superior to all other nations Jews a major threat to Germany All German-speaking people must be united under one rule Germany needed lebensraum “living space” for all Germans
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