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The Great Depression. Precursor to World War II. Aftermath of World War I. Most European countries are nearly bankrupt Governments are new and/or unstable Much of Europe is relying on the United States for aid We came out ahead after WWI. Germany. Lead by a new government
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The Great Depression Precursor to World War II
Aftermath of World War I • Most European countries are nearly bankrupt • Governments are new and/or unstable • Much of Europe is relying on the United States for aid • We came out ahead after WWI
Germany • Lead by a new government • Germans blame this government for WWI • Inflation • They just printed more money • War Debts • Charles Dawes eventually helps Germany get back on track • An American Investor Germans partook in this activity often after World War I
The Beginnings of Trouble • Most of the world is balanced on the American Economy • Low wages lead to poor sales • New farming techniques lead to a surplus of crops Half of these workers were fired after this photo was taken
Crash of the Stock Market • A panic drops the price of stocks • Many people bought on margin • Factories produce less • Less money to spend means less products to make • Banks are forced to close • People cannot pay their loans • Peoples’ savings disappears Many crapped themselves after reading this headline
A Global Depression • America stopped loaning money to Europe • High tariffs greatly decreased world trade • Many other nations then experienced what America was going through • Especially Germany
Fascism • New governments begin to question democracy • Combination of Nationalism and a dictatorship • Leaders promised to improve economies, punish those responsible for hard times & bring back national pride • Main supporters were Aristocrats, Industrialists, War Veterans, Middle Class • Sought to form a one party system The Dynamic Duo
Italy • Struggling with the depression • Angry over the conclusion of World War I • They wanted more spoils • Lacks faith in its democratic style of government • Communism? • Fascism? • Socialism? • Will become the model for Fascism
Benito Mussolini I love The Olive Garden! • Newspaper editor • Politician • Started the Fascist Party in 1919 • Eventually gained support of the people • Lead a march on Rome in 1922 • Given control of the government • Uses propaganda • Secret Police • He becomes Il Duce
Adolf Hitler Does this picture depict the hatred I am hoping for? • World War I Hero • Afterwards, joined the National Socialist • German Workers’ Party • Nazi Party for short • Fascist Party • Becomes der Fuhrer • He leads a failed attempt to take over Munich • Serves 9 Months in Prison • He authors Mein Kampf
Hitler Continued Is this one better or worse? • Hitler went largely unnoticed until the depression hit • Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany • He calls for new elections • Nazis defeat Communists • Once in power, he sets up an authoritarian government • Schutzstaffel (SS) • Gestapo (Secret Police)
Hitler & Mussolini That is so embarrassing Dude…XYZ • Both grabbed control of their countries • Mussolini was never as powerful as Hitler • Both made their political party the only one • Both used propaganda and fear to keep the people cooperative • Both improved their countries state
Japan • Began the 1920’s with democracy and prospered • However, when the depression hit military leaders took control of the government • Japan decides that conquest is its best chance for success • Look out China
Setting the Stage for War • Former Allied Powers are busy surviving • Japan begins to invade China • Italy takes Ethiopia • Germany begins to beef up its military • Against the Treaty of Versailles • Where is the League of Nations?
Germany Begins Conquest • 1936: Rhineland • Neutral zone between Germany & France • 1936: Axis Power formed • Germany, Italy, Japan • 1937: The 3rd Reich Announced • Austria • Czechoslovakia • Poland • Russia • 1939: Italy & Germany help Spain become a Fascist nation • 3 Year Struggle Rhineland Sudetenland
Munich Conference • 1938: Germany, France, Britain & Italy all meet in Munich • Germany is granted the Sudetenland • Germany promises to respect Czech border • 1939: Germany takes Czechoslovakia • Italy takes Albania as well • Hitler then tells Poland he wants Germany’s old territories back • 1939: Hitler & Stalin sign the Non-Aggression Pact • France & Britain has tried to get Stalin’s help as well They don’t know it, but my fingers were crossed the whole time
How is this All Happening? • War is Hell! • Allied Powers are not prepared for a war • Appeasement • Letting small things go in hopes of preventing war • Bottom Line: Most of the world is hoping this aggressive behavior by the Fascists will stop