Army Ranks General General Brigadier Brigadier Colonel Colonel Major Major Captain Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Corporal Private Private

THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES “When the Smoke cleared….” Setting the stage for WWII Great Britain -- France

?? What you should know ?? 1. What empires were destroyed by the Treaty of Versailles? 1. What empires were destroyed by the Treaty of Versailles? 2. What was the economic state of Europe after World War I? 2. What was the economic state of Europe after World War I? 3. What did the French do to try and protect their border with Germany? 3. What did the French do to try and protect their border with Germany?

WWI Recap million people killed million people killed. (wounded million) (wounded million) Physical destruction. Physical destruction. Millions of soldiers are returning home. Millions of soldiers are returning home. Huge Debt for Countries. Huge Debt for Countries.

New Countries Carved out of the remnants of empires! World War I Europe World War II Europe

Austria and Hungary

Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia

Poland

Finland and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Turkey

Syria, Palestine, Transjordan, Iraq, Lebenon, Kuwait

France Economically High war debts High war debts Rebuilding France would cost billions Rebuilding France would cost billions Huge military costs Huge military costs Prices on all items soared to record highs Prices on all items soared to record highs The value of the franc dropped 50% The value of the franc dropped 50%

France Politically France signs numerous treaties France signs numerous treaties Help to encircle Germany Help to encircle Germany Russia, Poland, Romania Russia, Poland, Romania French government went through a period of reorganization French government went through a period of reorganization Socialism

France Socially High inflation and low wages led to a general strike. High inflation and low wages led to a general strike. Many businesses destroyed, homes were lost, and disease and starvation faced many French. Many businesses destroyed, homes were lost, and disease and starvation faced many French.

Maginot Line 200 miles of unbroken military protection along the French and German border. Foreshadowing…? 200 miles of unbroken military protection along the French and German border. Foreshadowing…?

Anti-Tank Defenses

Britain Economically The money it had used to expand and finance its massive empire was gone The money it had used to expand and finance its massive empire was gone Forced to borrow money at high rates Forced to borrow money at high rates Outdated factories and machinery were having trouble competing with Japan and America Outdated factories and machinery were having trouble competing with Japan and America High tariffs around the world. High tariffs around the world. infrastructure

Britain Politically With the disarmament movement, many employees lost jobs, strikes and unemployment result. With the disarmament movement, many employees lost jobs, strikes and unemployment result. Government unable to compensate. Government unable to compensate.

Britain Socially High unemployment, low wages, strikes High unemployment, low wages, strikes A tight budget and protection of British goods by high tariffs, helped the economy recover A tight budget and protection of British goods by high tariffs, helped the economy recover

Germany Economically High inflation High inflation Government borrowing huge amounts of money to stay afloat Government borrowing huge amounts of money to stay afloat Reparations were impossible to pay Reparations were impossible to pay

Germany Politically Huge territorial losses. Huge territorial losses. Weimar Republic not trusted due to signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Weimar Republic not trusted due to signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Labor unrest due to high inflation and unemployment. Labor unrest due to high inflation and unemployment.

Germany Socially Feeling of distrust for new system of government Feeling of distrust for new system of government Redrawing of Europe has left many Germans in other countries – Poland, France, Czechoslovakia Redrawing of Europe has left many Germans in other countries – Poland, France, Czechoslovakia Sets the stage for government overthrow Sets the stage for government overthrow

?? What you should know ?? 1. What empires were destroyed by the Treaty of Versailles? 1. What empires were destroyed by the Treaty of Versailles? 2. What was the economic state of Europe after World War I? 2. What was the economic state of Europe after World War I? 3. What did the French do to try and protect their border with Germany? 3. What did the French do to try and protect their border with Germany?