1. Towards the 2nd World War

2. Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles and the terms it set would prove to be problematic from the very beginning.

3. 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

4. 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

5. League of Nations
Goal
Promote international cooperation
International security
U.S. congress is afraid of being pulled into disputes
Does not ratify it.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Rise of Fascism Fascism Mussolini Italy in 1920’s One-party government
Glorified the nation at expense of basic human rights
Mussolini

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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