1. Post War Europe

2. Generation of Europeans killed or wounded Collapse of dynasties
Effects of WWI
Generation of Europeans killed or wounded
Collapse of dynasties
Increase in democratic governments
Economic instability
Many nations feel betrayed by peace settlements

3. Instability of New Democracies
Lacked democratic tradition
Little experience with representative government
Countries had large #’s of political parties
Hard to gain majority
Weak Coalition governments form
alliance of political parties

4. Impossible to develop strong leadership
People willing to sacrifice democracy for strong totalitarian leaders
Russia, Italy, Germany

5. Democratic government formed in Germany (1919)
The Weimar Republic
Democratic government formed in Germany (1919)
Blamed for defeat and humiliation following WWI
Treaty of Versailles
Overburdened by economic hardship
Severe inflation caused by devaluation of currency
Unemployment

6. Life in the Weimar Republic

7. Reparations (33Billion)
France occupies Ruhr Valley when Germany fails to pay
The Dawes plan (1924)
$ 200 million loan from US banks
Eases reparations schedule
Helps improve German economy

9. Attempts @ a lasting Peace
League of Nations
Peace through diplomacy
Locarno Pact (1925)
Germany & France pledge to never again wage war
Germany admitted to League of Nations

10. 3. Kellogg-Briand Pact(1928)
Most nations renounce war as an instrument of national policy
All three prove unrealistic
No way of enforcing decisions

11. Less demand for raw materials
The Great Depression
Background causes
Less demand for raw materials
Overproduction of goods while demand fell
Huge war debts
Interdependence
European reliance on American loans

12. Immediate Cause
New York Stock Market crash of 1929
Stocks become worthless
Millions lose life savings
unemployment sky rockets
Repercussions felt worldwide

13. Worldwide unemployment & misery
A Global Depression
Worldwide unemployment & misery
American banks demand repayment of foreign loans
Banks & businesses fail
Economic nationalism
Countries imposed high tariffs to protect industry
World trade drops 65 %

16. Bread lines

17. Political Results of the Great Depression
Citizens lose faith in capitalism & democracy
Nations turn towards totalitarian leadership