The Impact of Cause and Effect TENSION IN EUROPE AND THE CAUSES OF WORLD WAR II

 The Treaty of Versailles requires Germany to pay compensation for the damages done to the civilian population, called reparations.  Additionally, a clause is added known as the war guilt clause. This clause places all blame on Germany for the War.  In an attempt to further deter conflict from occurring in Europe, the Allies decide to make territorial changes, stripping Germany of some of its land and all of its colonies. E.g.. Alsace and Lorraine are ceded to France, the Rhineland becomes a demilitarized zone to provide a buffer between Germany and France.  Also recall, the German military was restricted in size. THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES, 1919

 The Big Four (from left to right): David Lloyd George (Britain), Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (Italy), Georges Clemenceau (France) and Woodrow Wilson (USA) in Versailles. Photo by Edward N. Jackson.

THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES, 1919 Reparations buried Germany in debt Germany’s land losses to the Treaty of Versailles

 In groups of 3 or 4, Analyze the two maps presented here and answer the questions below. (Write your names and answers on a blank sheet of paper to be handed in). MAP ACTIVITY! 1. Which countries are on the 1919 map of Europe that are not found on the 1914 one? 2. Which countries gained land and which lost land? 3. How might these changes lead to tension in Europe? Give at least two possible ideas.

 The stock market crash on Black Tuesday, Oct 29th 1929, led to The Great Depression. (Experienced Worldwide).  The German economy suffered greatly during this period.  Lost lands that were important to industry.  The value of German goods and currency diminished.  Unemployment rates extremely high (up to 33% of the work force).  Poverty and suffering followed in the wake of economic hardships. THE GREAT DEPRESSION, 1930’S

German Woman lights stove with German marks, (In your Text) Germany was hit especially hard by The Great Depression. Many people became jobless, homeless, and experienced suffering and hardship.

 Anti-Semitism was rampant during this time, particularly in Germany who placed the blame for some of their economic issues onto the Jewish population.  Propaganda was used as a tool to spread anti-Semitism.  Racism became especially prominent in the wake of Hitler’s rise to power.  The Aryan race as the dominant race. (Blonde hair, blue eyes).  Jewish portrayed as monsters. RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM

“The Eternal Jew” - Depiction of a Jew holding gold coins in one hand and a whip in the other. Under his arm is a map of the world, with the imprint of the hammer and sickle. Posters like this promoted a sharp rise in anti-Semitic feelings, and in some cases violence against the Jewish community. Anti-Semitic image, showing working class feeding the hungry "Jew" who survives as a parasite. The teeth are made of Stars of David.

 In 1923, French soldiers invaded the Ruhr on the basis that the Germans had defaulted on their reparation payment of timbre.  French soldiers would use unnecessary and excessive force on the workers.  This caused further anger and resentment on behalf of the German people and led to a workers strike.  Strike leads to further inflation. FRENCH INVASION ON THE RUHR, 1923

 German people turn towards a totalitarian state as the answer to the peril they have been facing. (Sputtering economy, poverty, high unemployment, rising unrest).  Views shift toward socialism and extreme nationalism.  Answer = Nazi fascism TOWARD TOTALITARIANISM

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