Chapter 17 – Between the Wars in Europe

1. Chapter 17 – Between the Wars in Europe www.viewimages.com

2. 17-1 Uneasiness In Europe • 19th Century dreams of Nationalism • New boundaries for Europe • Border disputes and controversy • Mainly Germany. . . .

3. The League of Nations • Why couldn’t the League keep peace like it was designed to do????? • The United States never joins the League of Nations • President Wilson wants to, but the Senate refuses. (would not approve the Treaty of Versailles) • Other members can never make agreements.

5. France • Wants to enforce the Treaty of Versailles • Germany should pay war reparations • Germany makes on year’s payment (1921), but cannot afford any more • Sends troops to the Ruhr Valley • They will collect the money by running the mines and factories there

6. www.dushkin.com

7. Germany • Try to resist the French • Passive Resistance • Strikes • Government prints more money to pay workers • This causes Inflation • More printed money means higher prices…. The actual value of the money decreases!!! • In 1923, 4.2 trillion marks = 1 dollar

9. The Dawes Plan • Named after an American Banker • August of 1924 • Allies would leave Ruhr Area • Germany’s payments would start lower and increase as they could pay more • New German banks and loans from outside countries • Brief prosperity….. Does not last long.

10. Treaty of Locarno • Signed by Germany and France • It guaranteed their borders with France and Belgium • Headlines read “France and Germany Ban War Forever” • This positive outlook continues when Germany joins the League of Nations

11. Kellogg-Briand Pact • Created by the United States and France • 63 Nations agreed not to go to war again. • Empty Promises • Nobody reduced their weapons • Remember!!! – Germany was forced to reduce its weapons, others were not.

12. The Great Depression www.activerain.com

13. www.canadianheritage.org

14. www.students.umf.maine.edu

15. www.woodpilereport.com

16. www.photosofthegreatdepresion.com

17. Depression: • A period of low economic activity and increased unemployment • Takes place throughout the United States and Europe in the late 1920’s and 1930’s.

18. Two causes of the Depression • Economic problems in various countries • Each country faced its own problems • One example is overproduction / falling prices • U.S. Stock Market Crash • Prosperity in Europe was built upon Loans from U.S. to Germany, and Germany’s use of those loans to pay France

19. Responses to the Depression • Recession Vs. Depression • Move from Laissez Faire to increased government involvement • Marxist Predictions “Capitalism will destroy itself” • People begin to follow Dictating rulers who offer simple solutions in return for control.

20. Democracy After the War • Wilson Says WWI was to “Make Europe safe for Democracy” • How do Countries try to implement this?

21. Germany • Becomes Democratic after WWI and calls its government the Weimar Republic • Had no strong political leaders, many of those elected did not support the Republic • Inflation and economic problems blamed on the Republic…. People wanted alternate political groups • Depression makes more extreme groups seem more reasonable

22. France • Had become the strongest power in Europe • The Depression still caused political conflict • Create the Popular Front • Create French New Deal • Collective bargaining, 40 hr workweek, 2 week paid vacation, and minimum wage • Policies help but do not actually solve any problems…. No confidence in the system

23. Great Britain • Also faces struggles because of the Depression • Labour Party falls from power because they could not deal with the problems. • Conservatives take over and help to resolve issues. • John Maynard Keynes – Depressions should be left to resolve themselves • Said government should use deficit spending to create jobs

24. United States • Hit harder by Depression than most nations • President is Franklin Delano Roosevelt • New Deal: His plan to create jobs through government spending and increase employment.