Ch. 15 Years of Crisis 1919-1939

1. Ch. 15 Years of Crisis 1919-1939 • Mr. Curtis • World History

2. The Weimar Republic • The Weimar Republic- (1919) democratic government established in Germany after WWI. • weaknesses- 1. Germany lacked a strong democratic tradition. 2. too many political parties 3. people blamed the Weimar republic for the harsh penalties of the ToV.

3. Inflation in Germany • Germany simply printed more money to pay their enormous war debt/reparations. As a result, the value of the German “mark” steadily decreased. Severe inflation set in. (price of bread pg 471) • The German economy would eventually recover thanks to the Dawes Plan - (Dawes American Banker) an international committee loaned Germany 200 million dollars to stable their economy and also prepared a more reasonable plan to pay war reparations. (importance?)

5. A Flawed US Economy • The US Economy was very prosperous in the early 1920’s. • However, 3 problems existed. • 1. Uneven distribution of wealth- (very few rich, majority poor) • 2. Overproduction of Goods- (new methods of farming, competition from other countries) • 3. Americans were buying less

6. The Stock-Market Crash • In October, 1929 (Black Tuesday) the US Stock Market Crashed. • Due to high stock prices, people began selling stocks. This caused stock prices to steadily fall which caused a panic. Everyone wanted to SELL!! Crash! • The Great Depression- (1929) severe economic slump that followed the stock market crash. Led to high unemployment, failed businesses and bank closures. (would have a global impact)

8. FDR and the New Deal • US voters elected Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932- 32nd president of the United States that faced challenges such as the Great Depression and WWII. • FDR implemented a plan to recover the US economy. • New Deal- a program of government reform that created large public works programs that provided jobs. (Hoover Dam) Public money was spent on welfare and relief programs. Reforms were also made to fix the stock market.

9. Rise of Fascism in Europe • Fascism- a militant political movement the emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader. (not communism!! But similar..) • Extreme nationalism • Believed that nations must struggle with one another • Pledged loyalty to an authoritarian leader • Weak leadership in Italy and social unrest because of a weak economy led to the rise of fascism. The people wanted a strong leader who would take action. • Benito Mussolini- (1883-1945) Editor and politician who quickly rose to power in Italy leading the Fascist Party that he established in 1919. He promised to save Italy’s economy and military. He outlawed all political parties except fascism, total censorship

10. Adolf Hitler in Germany • Adolf Hitler- (1889-1945) leader of the Nazi Party who rose to power in Germany. • Nazism- German brand of fascism that grew to be the largest political party in Germany by 1932. The swastika or hooked cross became their symbol. Small militias called storm troopers or brown shirts. • Hitler and the Nazis plotted to seize power in Germany by conquering Munich. (Germany’s capitol) The first attempt failed and Hitler was jailed. While in prison he wrote Mein Kampf- (My Struggle) a book that explained Hitler’s goals and plans for Germany. 1. He asserted that Germans were a superior race and all other races were inferior. 2.The Treaty of Versailles is an outrage and 3. that Germany was over crowded and needed lebensraum- or living space.

11. Hitler Becomes Chancellor • After leaving prison in 1924, Hitler revived the Nazi party. • Due to the Great Depression, Germany’s economy collapsed. This opened the door for Hitler and the Nazi party… • In 1933 Hitler was named Chancellor and Hitler began working to win a majority in the German parliament. Once in power, Hitler used his power to turn Germany into a totalitarian state. • Banned all other political parties • The Schutzstaffel (black shirts) arrested and murdered hundreds of Hitler enemies • Extreme censorship (book burnings) • Built factories and increased industry to grow the military (unemployment?)

12. Aggressors Invade Nations • By the mid-1930s, Germany and Italy seemed bent on conquering territory through military means. Britain , France and the United States were distracted by financial problems. Fascism was spreading through Europe and Asia. • The Great Depression devastated Japan which led to the military taking over the government. The new military government decided to grow Japan’s economy by conquering Pacific territory including China. (resources, markets and land)

13. Japan Expands • In 1931 Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria. 4 years later, Japan went to war with China. Japan was in control of the majority of China by 1937. • Japanese soldiers killed tens of thousands of captured Chinese soldiers in Nanjing. Chinese troops retreated westward and continued to fight. Chinese guerrillas led by China’s Communist leader Mao Zedong also continued to fight against Japan.

14. European Aggressors on the March • Mussolini ordered an invasion of Ethiopia to avenge a defeat in the 1890’s. Ethiopian swords and spears were no match for Italy’s airplanes, tanks, guns and poison gas. • Hitler had pledged to undo the Versailles Treaty. He publicly announced that he would not obey the provision of the treaty that restricted Germany’s military. The League of Nations issued a mild condemnation….. • This led to Hitler taking even greater risks. Another provision denied Germany from occupying a 30 mile territory on either side of the Rhine River known as the Rhineland.

15. Invasion of the Rhineland and Appeasement • The Rhineland acted as a buffer between France and Germany. On March 7 1936, German troops moved into the Rhineland. France was stunned at this act of aggression. • Britain urged France to take a stance of appeasement- giving in to an aggressor to keep peace. • France and Britain’s weak response encouraged Hitler to speed up his expansion. • Hitler’s growing strength convinced Mussolini to seek an alliance with Germany. This alliance happened in October 1936. One month later, Germany made an agreement with Japan. Germany, Italy and Japan came to be known as the Axis Powers.

16. Francisco Franco • Civil War plagued Spain during the 1930’s. Francisco Franco- a Spanish General who favored a fascist style of government in Spain. Hitler and Mussolini sent troops, airplanes and tanks to help Franco during the war. In the end, Franco became Spain’s fascist dictator.

17. Democratic Nations Try to Preserve Peace • The United States supported a stance of Isolationism- the belief that political ties to other countries should be avoided. Neutrality acts were passed after WWI: banned loans and the sale of weapons to countries at war. • On November 5 1937, Hitler announced that he would expand Germany by absorbing Austria (Versailles Treaty banned this) and Czechoslovakia. This expansion of Germany would be known as the Third Reich. (Austria wanted to join, Czechs did not) (The Sudetenland was old German territory)

18. The Munich Conference • The Czechs turned to France for help defending themselves against Germany. • On September 29, 1938, Germany, Britain, France and Italy met in Munich, Germany to discuss the annexation of the Sudetenland. Britain and France gave in to Hitler’s demands once again trying to preserve peace in Europe—this meeting was known as the Munich Conference. (Churchill opinion/later events) Pg. 485. • Hitler and Stalin signed a nonaggression pact in August 23, 1939. After ten years of appeasement, the stage was set for war.