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“It was widely held belief in left-wing circles in the 1930s that wars were caused by capitalism.” (p.44) Do you agree or disagree? Why?. Brit/French Empires 1930s. Impact of Great Depression. Nations with empires relied heavily on colonies Imperial preference developed
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“It was widely held belief in left-wing circles in the 1930s that wars were caused by capitalism.” (p.44) Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Impact of Great Depression • Nations with empires relied heavily on colonies • Imperial preference developed • Nations w/o empire (have-not nations) turned to autarky • Felt forced into this policy by “have” nations • i.e. how they justified aggression
Imperial power • Empires 1930s Value of Empire sold to public: • Protection against the risk of inter’ltrade • Source of advantage over other powers • Economic and political stability rested on the empire • Protection of empire was focus of foreign policy • First led to appeasement, then to war
Burdens of Empire • By 1920s, empires became burden • Cost more to maintain then what was gained • Ideas of nationalism led to popular unrest • Source of tension between France and Britain • Esp. in Middle East • Became targets for aggressive nations in 1930s Paradox: to defend the empire was creating instability, YET to give up on empire signaled the end of world-power status