1. Post- WW1 Problems Europe in the 1920s and 1930s

2. Political, Economic, Social Problems in Europe Political Problems –Collapse of Old Gov.  Weak Democracies –Creation of new Countries  Cultural Tensions/Displacements Economic Problems –No Industry/Agricultural Production –Impossible Reparations Social Problems –Returning Soldiers unable to be integrated back into society/ Disabled –Dealing with HUGE LOSS –Stagnant Population

3. Purpose of the League of Nations According to Woodrow Wilson: KEEP THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY … so to establish lasting peace.

4. Failure of the League of Nations Pre. Harding knew US would never be a member of the League Secretary of State Hughes still wanted to do something to guarantee world peace Result: –Began efforts to create safeguards against future wars –But efforts that would not hamper American interests

5. 2 Efforts to Maintain Lasting Peace Washington Conference - 1921 Kellogg Briand Pact - 1928

6. Washington Conference of 1921 Goal: Keep the Peace  particularly on the Water What it did: –Reduced Navies (warships, fleets, armaments) –Pledge to Continue Open Door Policy in China –US, GB, Japan, France promised to respect each other’s Pacific territories

7. Kellogg – Briand Pact of 1928 French Foreign minister asked US to join an alliance against Germany US instead, proposed a treaty that 1. Outlawed war as an instrument of national policies 2. Required nations to resolve their disputes by pacifist means 14 nations signed the agreement, 48 later joined No instruments of enforcement, rather relied on the “moral force” of countries.

8. Failure of Treaty of Versailles “Failed to create a Just and Secure Peace” –Germans felt blame for starting war was unfair –Germans felt being stripped of German territory was unfair –Russia mad at the carving away Russian land for creation of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia

9. World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy” After WW1, New Democratic Gov. emerged: Germany, Austria, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece All Lacked democratic traditions New leaders failed to show citizens how democracy could improve their lives economically

10. Treaty of Versailles did not allow war torn nations to rebuild, rather made them pay huge war debts World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy” All while dealing w/ depression, starvation, homelessness, unemployment Countries Unable to Cope

11. New Democracies Collapse World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy” Dictators seize power and throw out elected leaders.