Totalitarianism pt. I

1. Totalitarianism pt. I Problems in Post WWI Europe

2. Results of the Treaty of Versailles • Although there were many disagreements about the peace process, the signers did agree to reconstruct Europe on the principles of democracy and nationalism 1. Before the war, there were 19 Monarchies and 3 Republics 2. After the war, there were 15 republics with a freely elected government 3. The Serbs, Poles, Croats, Czechs, Letts and Finns had all formed their national states.

4. Criticisms of the Treaty • the peace settlement was made by the Big Three and the defeated states were never allowed to discuss the terms 2. the punishment on Germany was somewhat excessive, since a democratic government had come to power 3. there was the existence of many national minorities in the new states of Europe 4. the victorious powers did not disarm, even though the defeated powers had been disarmed to the lowest level. 5. there were many cases in which the Big Three abandoned the principle of nationality when they were making the territorial settlement Thus the defeated powers were suspicious of the intentions of the victorious powers and had deep resentment against the Versailles Settlement

5. Effects of WWI in Europe Because of all the new countries, there was little political stability in Europe during the 1920’s • In eastern Europe, new states like Poland were always threatened by the strength of communist Russia • In central Europe, the Germans always longed for a revision of the Treaty of Versailles • In southern Europe, the Italians also harbored ill-feeling towards the Versailles Settlement • Britain and France were only two states in Europe which hoped to preserve the Versailles Settlement • As both Britain and France were weakened by the war, it is doubtful that they would be willing to make a costly waragainst any aggressors who were determined to revise the Versailles Settlement

12. Effects of WWI in Europe • WWII left crushing economic burdens on all the European countries • European victors owed $10 billion to the U.S for reconstruction costs • they had to rehabilitate devastated areas • pay pensions to the wounded and to the relatives of the dead • pay the interest due on the public and foreign debts • To add to the economic burdens of the European governments, trade and industry did not revive after the war • mass unemployment in Italy, Germany, Britain and France shortly after the war • European nations tried to become economically self-sufficient and keep out the products of other countries

13. US Loans to Europe • The United States had been loaning the allies large sums of money and weapons during the war • The Loan Cycle • US demanded repayment for the loans in 1919 • US issued loans to Germany for reconstruction and war reparations • As the German economy slowly grew during the 1920’s they had to repay the US loans. • This circular flow of money collapsed in 1929 putting the the US and Europe into a deep economic depression. • By 1932, the peoples of Europe had no confidence in their new governments and looked for new leaders to bring them out of their economic and social misery

21. What were Europeans looking for? • New Leadership that understood the struggles of the common people • An economic policy that would get people back to work and minimize inflation of money • A government that was nationalistic and eager to regain pride and patriotism in their countries • Someone who inspired people and lifted people’s spirits • Someone who would hold the right people responsible for the current problems in their country