Western Democracies Stumble Chapter 13.2

Focus Question What political and economic changes faced Western Democracies in the 1920’s and 1930’s?

Politics in the Postwar World After the war, Europe faced economic instability as jobs were scarce and cities were ravaged. These factors led to political unrest in Europe. The U.S. was not affected so much economically, but was uneasy about the radical ideas immigrants might bring in, so it limited immigration from Europe.

Postwar Foreign Policy France wanted to weaken Germany by enforcing the Treaty of Versailles, while Britain wanted to lessen the treaty’s effect on Germany. Many countries agreed to reduce their navies, and the League of Nations worked toward stopping aggression. Yet when Japan was allowed to invade Manchuria, other dictators took note.

The Great Depression The U.S. stock market crashed in 1929, ushering in the Great Depression. This was a global economic crisis that closed businesses and left behind many jobless, homeless, starving people. People lost faith in Democracy and the ideas of capitalism

Reactions to the Great Depression High tariffs were created to protect economies, but it backfired and got worse France was effected later, but had difficulties recovering due to poor leadership U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt Establishes the New Deal