1. 28.2 Western Democracies Stumble
What political and economic challenges did the Western world face in the 1920s and 1930s? How did various countries react to them?

2. Foreign Policy France Peace settlement caused friction in Europe
France built Maginot Line, strengthened military
Strict enforcement of the Treaty of Versailles

3. Foreign Policy Britain
Britain wanted to relax harsh treatment of Germany, worried about France or Soviet Union becoming too strong

4. New Era of Peace?
1925 – Locarno treaties – settled border disputes pledged not to resort to force, demilitarization of the Rhineland
1928- Kellogg-Briand Pact – majority of nations signed to “renounce war as an instrument of national policy” (outlawed war)
-disarmament (reduction of armed forces/weapons)
Countries failed to agree on size of armies

5. Problems with the “Peace”
Kellogg-Briand Pact had no way to enforce ban
League of Nations is powerless
-condemned Japanese invasion of Manchuria
What would you think if you were an aspiring dictator?

8. Economic Problems Britain and France owed the United States
Relied on reparations to pay back U.S.
European economy is hurt
Overproduction of goods in the U.S. (exceeds demands)

9. Great Depression 1929 – U.S. stock market collapsed
America stops loaning money – hurts Britain, France, and Germany
1 in 4 were unemployed
FDR in the United States creates the “New Deal” – increased Federal involvement
10:30

10. Democracy Stumbles
Depression made citizens question democratic governments
Inability to solve foreign policy issues and act strong on aggression further emboldened radicals