Between Two Wars: 1918 to 1939 The Versailles Treaty “ended” WWI. BUT, did WW1 really end?

1. Between Two Wars: 1918 to 1939The Versailles Treaty “ended” WWI. BUT, did WW1 really end? The conflicts that created WW 1 were supposed to be resolved by the treaty. These conflicts were NEVER resolved, they intensified and contributed to a world of instability that led to the outbreak of another war in Europe. The League of Nations was created to help resolve international conflict. USA did not join; Germany couldn’t join until 1945…but was allowed to join in 1925. What “power” could the League of Nations have had? In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, thus creating a new international crisis. Condemned by the League of Nations, Japan quits the League. Other of aggression between 1935 and 1939: Italy conquered Ethiopia (1935) Germany re-took the Rhineland (’36) and “took” Austria and Czechoslovakia (’38) Japan invaded China (1937). German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 – WW2 begins! Japanese attack US Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941 - US enters the war. What happened between November 11, 1918 and December 7, 1941 that made this war possible?

2. World War II began on September 1, 1939. These are the causes of thiswar: • World War One • Versailles Treaty’s impact on Germany • SpreadingDemocracy in Europe • PoliticalExtremism: • Communism, Fascism and National Socialism • Militaryaggression in Europe and Asia • US Isolationism during the 20s • US Foreign Policy under FDR(1933 to 1941) • Policy of Appeasement(1931 to 1939)

3. Versailles Treaty’s impact on Germany? • ‘WarGuilt Clause’ • German territorial losses • Germanreparations • Democratization of Germany • League of Nations • Disarmament • Occupation of Germansoil

4. European economies were devastated by the Great War. New European democracies failed to restore stability. No single party commanded a majority in these governments. The people demanded action, governments didn’t deliver. “Extremist” parties promised action to resolve national crises. THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM“POLITICAL EXTREMISM” EXTREMIST views emerge and become popular ONLY under extreme circumstances like an economic depression or repressive government.

5. (Left)---------L---------(C)---------C--------(Right) • Far Right: “Reactionary” groups (Fascists and Nazis) • react to and resist any threats to traditional ways of life. • Far Left: “Radical” groups (Marxists/Communists) • favor changes to traditional ways (because tradition failed) • Once in power, they become the new “tradition”. • The far RIGHT and far LEFT are the antithesis of each other. One cannot co-exist with the other. • BOTH are the enemies of Democracy (& vice verse) • TACTICS by EXTREMISTS: • “By any means necessary” (rebellion/revolution)

6. Examples of Political Extremism during the 1920s & 1930s Several large, populated and industrialized nations adopted extremism: • 1917 - RUSSIA: Communist led revolt overthrew Czar • *1919: “COMINTERN” • *1928: JOSEF STALIN: “Monolithic Communism” • RADICAL (left wing) extremism • 1922 - ITALY: Benito Mussolini - Fascist dictator – • REACTIONARY • 1928 - JAPAN: Nationalist-Military controlled government- • REACTIONARY • 1934 - GERMANY: Adolf Hitler-National Socialists (Nazis) • REACTIONARY • 1936-39 - SPAIN: Francisco Franco – Fascists vs. Communists • REACTIONARY • Why do these EXTREMIST groups prevail?

7. US Isolationism – 1920-1932How could these decisions have contributed to global instability after WW1? • Senate rejected Versailles Treaty • “Return to Normalcy” (’20-’32) • DIPLOMATIC ISOLATIONISM • Independent Internationalism • US involved in foreign affairs only if it was in its national interest. • High tariffs/trade barriers • Immigration Restrictions (’21 and ’24) • The Dawes Plan (1924) • Washington Naval Conferences (1920-1922) • 4 power pact (Imperialism in Asia) • 5 power pact (Navies-5:5:3:1.67:1.67) • 9 power pact (Open Door in China) • Kellogg-Briand Pact – 1928 • 1932: Lausanne Conference • Suspended loan repayments and reparations

8. Instability within Germany: 1919 to 1934

9. “The Weimar Republic”Germany’s “democratic era” - 1919-1934 • Historically had a strong central authority, NOW a FULL democracy • Germany had no REAL democratic tradition. • DOZENS of political parties emerged • Structure of the government: • REICHSTAG - Legislature/Parliament • PRESIDENT- elected by popular vote • CABINET - appointed to serve and advise the president • CHANCELLOR - selected by the cabinet, chancellor is the “vice president” and head of legislature/government.

10. The “Stab in the Back” Theory:Germans needed to find those responsible for Germany “losing” World War One: THE SCAPEGOATS…why would they be blamed? • GERMAN JEWS • GERMAN MARXISTS • The “November Criminals” – Weimar representatives • The French and the Treaty of Versailles

11. Political extremism threatened the existence of the new Weimar Republic • Weimar government wanted to eliminate potential political threats within Germany. • Hired German war veterans to spy on threatening political groups. • Spies infiltrated these groups so as to arrest leaders for treasonous activities.

12. A war vet from Vienna, Adolf Hitler, was an “agent” used to infiltrate one political group: • Sept. 1919: he infiltrated a meeting of the “German Worker’s Party” in Munich. • The “German Worker’s Party” promoted a resurgence of German nationalism and unity, called for vengeance against France and the Versailles Treaty, and promised that Marxists and Jews would “pay for their treason” (Stab in back theory) • Hitler was fiercely NATIONALISTIC. • He despised Democracy and Marxism • Both promoted individualism rather than nationalism. • He believed Germany had been “Stabbed in the Back”. • Hitler became the 54th official member of the party • In 1921, he became party leader, which he renamed the “National Socialist German Worker’s Party” • NSDAP, or Nazi (Nation) Party • By the end of 1934, the National Socialist (Nazi) Party was the ONLY political party in Germany.

13. What is National Socialism? • Build one great German nation of people only with German blood • Restore Germany to its former status (before 1914) • “Lebensraum” – “living space” for German population • Eliminate those obstacles that threaten the movement • Work must be done in the best interests of the nation, not individual • No democracy and no capitalism • Educate and indoctrinate the young (mentally and physically) • Control flow of information to the people (propaganda) • Promote the common good before individual good • With individual rights come responsibilities to the nation • HIERARCHY: people submit to the authority of a few (Totalitarianism) • Instill ULTRANATIONALISM • Welfare for those who have worked their entire lives for the welfare of the nation • Enforcement of the NAZI ideal thru discipline and obedience to the nation/Nazis • What kind of strategy could enforce these points? • What seem to be the goals of National Socialism? (there are 3 of ‘em)

14. The Three Goals of National SocialismNAZIS PROMISE TO: • 1. STRENGTHEN THE STATE • Rebuild and restore the nation • 2. PURIFY THE STATE • Eliminate any internal impurities that may threaten the state • 3. EXPAND THE STATE • For national security and protection from external threats to the nation. • The NAZIS will achieve all three goals!

15. Rise of the Third Reich-1919 to 1934:(How did they do it?) • 1919: Creation of the Party, “infiltrated” by Hitler • 1920: 25 Points of NAZISM; 1921: Hitler assumes “leadership” of the party • 1923: Beer Hall Putsch: attempted to overthrow the Bavarian provincial govt. in Munich…was a total disaster. Hitler arrested for “high treason”. • Hitler sentenced to 5 years (not death) for treason; serves ALMOST 10 months • Writes “Mein Kampf” while in prison. (25 points clarified) • 1925-1929: During an era of prosperity, the Nazis “clean up their act” • 1929 - Worldwide depression hits; turmoil AGAIN hits Germany • 1930: Nazis gain seats in the Reichstag (1/6); gaining in popularity • 1932: Hitler loses Presidential election; not gaining too much popularity • Jan 30, 1933: Hitler named German Chancellor(he needs a “reason”!) • Feb 27, 1933: Burning of the Reichstag – “proof” of Communist conspiracy • March 23, 1933: Enabling Act (“Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Nation”) signed by President von Hindenburg • June 30, 1934: “The Night of the Long Knives”: carried out by SS against the SA and its leadership; internal (within the party) threats to Hitler eliminated and German army pledges its allegiance to Hitler and the Nazis. • Aug 2, 1934: von Hindenburg’s death; consolidation of Chancellor/President – game over.