1. The West Between the Wars
Chapter 17
The West Between the Wars

2. Section 1: The Futile Search for Stability
The peace settlement that ended WWI left nations unhappy.
Border disputes in Eastern Europe
Weak League of Nations
U.S. did not join
French demanded strict enforcement of the Treaty of Versailles, including the reparations the Germans were to pay.

3. Faced with financial problems, Germany was unable to make all of it’s payments.
France entered the Ruhr Valley (Germany’s mining and industrial center) to take control of its operation.
The French planned to collect reparations by operating the mines and industries there.

4. As a result of the French invasion of the Ruhr Valley, the German workers went on strike.
The German government continued to print paper money to pay their salaries. This action led to inflation (rise in prices) and the German mark became worthless.

5. The Dawes Plan Treaty of Locarno Reduced Germany’s reparations
Established annual payments
U.S. granted $200 million loan to Germany
Treaty of Locarno
Guaranteed Germany’s borders with France and Belgium.
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6. The Great Depression Two factors led to the Great Depression
Downturn in domestic economies: overproduction of agricultural goods and slump in coal industry due to the use of electricity
International financial crisis created by the American stock market crash in 1929
American investors withdrew funds from European markets, causing banks to collapse

7. Effects of the Depression
High unemployment
By 1932, one in four Britons were unemployed
40% of the German labor force was out of work
Increased government activity in the economy
Communism became popular
Political leaders that offered solutions in return for dictatorship gained power

8. Germany
The new republic called the Weimar Republic was weak – no strong political leaders
Inflation and the Great Depression left Germany looking for solutions that led to the rise of extremist parties
France
Did not feel the effects of the depression until 1932
During a 19 month period six different cabinets were created because of the financial and political chaos
The Popular Front government started a new program in 1936 called the French New Deal
It established a 40 hour workweek in industry, two-week paid vacation and minimum wage

9. Great Britain
The Labour Party fell from power because it was unable to solve the economic problems
The new government balanced the budget and issued protective tariffs to help bring Britain out of the Depression.
Political leaders ignored the ideas of John Maynard Keyes who believed that unemployment was a result of a decline in demand. He believed that demand could be increased by putting people to work building highways and public buildings.

10. United States
Behind Germany, the US suffered the most from the Great Depression. By 1933, there were more than 12 million people unemployed.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1932 as President by a landslide. He had plans to bring the US out of Depression

11. New Deal: program of public works, including the Works Progress Administration.
The WPA employed people to build bridges, roads, post offices, and airports.
The Social Security Act created a system of pensions and unemployment insurance.
The New Deal did not solve the unemployment problem even though it employed millions of people. It would take another war to bring workers back to full employment.
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12. Section 2: The Rise of Dictatorial Regimes
By 1939, only two European nations remained democratic: France and Great Britain.
Italy, the Soviet Union, Germany, and many other European states adopted dictatorial regimes.
Totalitarian – government controls all political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural lives of its citizens

13. Italy Benito Mussolini established the first fascist movement
Fascism emphasizes the need for a strong central government led by a dictatorial leader
Because of the economic problems and the fear of socialism and communism, people were attracted to the idea of fascism
Mussolini was made Prime Minister in 1922 and eventually called Il Duce, which means “The Leader”

14. Mussolini created a secret police called the OVRA, which watched citizens’ political activities and enforced government policies.
Fascists controlled all forms of mass media (newspapers, radio, and film) to spread propaganda.

15. Mussolini never achieved the degree of totalitarian control as seen in Hitler’s Germany or Stalin’s Soviet Union.
Some institutions managed to keep most of their independence and Victor Emmanuel remained king.

16. Russia (Soviet Union)
Lenin established the New Economic Plan (NEP) to help bring Russia out of the economic difficulties from the war.
Peasants could sell produce openly while small business were privately owned and operated.
Heavy industry was controlled by the government

17. When Lenin died, Joseph Stalin would win control.
Lenin created a new state called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR or Soviet Union)
When Lenin died, Joseph Stalin would win control.
He abandoned the NEP and started a series of Five Year Plans to transform Russia into an industrial country.

18. Five Year Plan Increase the industry Collective farming
Number of workers increased by millions within a few years
Collective farming
Private farms were eliminated and the government owned all of the farmable land

19. Stalin’s control
Those that resisted were sent to forced labor camps in Siberia
The Great Purge of the 1930’s – army officers, diplomats, party members, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens were arrested, sent to labor camps or were executed
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20. Section 4: Cultural and Intellectual Trends
Mass communications became popular during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.
Mass production of radios began
Offered opportunities to reach the masses
Full-length motion pictures began after WWI
By 1939, 40% of adults were attending the movies at least once a week

21. Mass Leisure Sporting events became popular
Trains, buses, and cars made trips to beaches and resorts popular and affordable

22. Art
People became fascinated with the absurd and the unconscious part of the mind
Dadaism – life has no purpose; artists used other people’s trash to create a collage
Surrealism – focused on the unconscious through portrayal of dreams, fantasies, and nightmares