Europe Between the Wars

Economic ConsequencesWWI total cost over $350 billion Most countries raised taxes to pay for

war International trade suffered

Tariffs (taxes) raised on imports

Reparations?? Germany in state of economic disaster

Didn’t raise taxes during war, just printed more $$

Led to inflation 1924: Dawes Plan = $200 million loan

from American banks to Germany 1929: German factories back at pre-war

production

Video: What is Inflation?

So what went wrong??

THE GREAT DEPRESSION

October 29, 1929 (Black Tuesday) U.S. Stock Market crashed

American bankers demanded repayment of loans

American investors withdrew $$ from Europe

Banks worldwide started failing

Political ConsequencesLeague of Nations created New countries created in Eastern

EuropeMany nations turn to military

dictatorships (Russia, Italy, Germany)US emerges as a world power

The Rise of FascismNew militant political system Attractive to people angered by the

Treaty of Versailles and economic depression

Focused on loyalty to the state and obedience to the leader

Fascist Promises1. Revive the economy2. Punish those responsible for

hard times3. Restore national pride

Key Elements of FascismExtreme nationalismNations must struggle – peaceful

states doomed to be conqueredLoyalty to leader (dictator)Often wore uniforms, used special

salutes, and held mass rallies

Communism vs. FascismSimilarities:Ruled by dictators Only one political party allowedDenied individual rightsCountry more important than individualNo democracy

Communism vs. FascismCommunism No social classes Appealed to working

class people Internationalists -

unite workers worldwide

Fascism Keep social classes –

everyone has a place

Appealed to aristocrats, industrialists, war veterans, and middle class

Nationalists – all about their own country

Fascism in GermanyWeimer Republic blamed for the

accepting the Treaty of Versailles and economic failures

The people are looking for SALVATION

Hitler in WWI Austrian citizen WWI chance for

Germany to take its rightful place as the world’s greatest power

Joined the German Army as a “runner” Brought messages from

trench to trench

Hitler in WWIAwarded Iron Cross

twice (for bravery)Wounded twiceTemporarily blinded

by poison gas Never rose far in the

ranks because he was Austrian

After the war, Hitler would head back to Germany

truly believing Germany had been robbed of victory!

The Nazi Party 1919: joined political group that thought

Germany needed to get rid of the Treaty of Versailles and combat communism

“National Socialist German Workers Party” Nazi for short

Hitler became the leader within 2 years

Activity: Nazi Party Platform What did the Nazis believe?

Hitler’s Political Ideas1. Germany had been betrayed and must

regain its world position2. Communists must be removed from

positions of power3. Jews must be removed from positions

of power4. German economy must be rebuilt

Beer Hall Putsch Planned to take

control of gov’t by force

Oct 1923: Nazis marched on Munich

Known as the Beer Hall Putsch

FAILED! Hitler jailed!

Hitler

Hitler in Jail Realizes he can’t take

over gov’t by force – will have to slowly gain control through legal elections

While stuck in jail writes a book detailing his ideas/plans

Mein Kampf Translates to “My Struggle” Main points:

Germans were the master race (Aryans)

Non-Aryans were inferior (Jews, Slavs, Gypsies)

Treaty of Versailles = outrage

Germany overcrowded and needed more lebensraum (living space) Gain space by conquering

Russia and Eastern Europe

Becoming Chancellor Nazis elected to the the

Reichstag (German gov’t) 1932: Nazi Party largest

political party Jan. 30, 1933: Hitler

appointed Chancellor Second in command behind

Pres. Paul von Hindenburg

Hindenburg and Hitler

German Government Feb 1933: Fire broke out

the Reichstag Nazis blame fire on

communists Public opinion allows

Nazis to win major elections instead of communists

Aug 1934: Hindenburg dies

Video Clip: Hitler

Hitler in PowerHitler combined offices of Chancellor and President,

declared himself the Fuhrer (leader)

1. Enabling Acts: suspended the civil rights of the German people

2. No political parties (opponents arrested and killed)3. S.S. (Schutzstaffel) created (elite police unit)4. Economy put under government control5. Children required to join the Hitler Youth 6. Widespread propaganda

• Churches and schools not allowed to criticize Nazis

Activity: Do You Take the Oath?

“When the Führer took power in 1933, the German people's body was severely ill. The poison of foreign worldviews ran through the veins of all the people's organisms. Hardly anyone was immune. Then Providence sent the German people a doctor, the Führer. He knew the disease; he know that the German people suffered from a corruption of its racial strength. Using every possible medication, including if necessary the most radical, the bacterium was removed from the people's body. Our people is becoming racially healthy once more.But our people is not alone in the world. It is surrounded by a ring of peoples. Most peoples today still suffer from the same disease that the German people once suffered. They are nearing racial collapse, especially the European peoples. Therefore, the Führer wants other peoples to follow the holy laws of blood that we follow, for mixing with widely foreign races means the betrayal of the blood of each people, and eventual decline. The fundamental reason for excluding foreign-raced groups from a people's body is not discrimination or contempt, but rather the realization of otherness. Only through such thinking will the peoples again become healthy, and able to respect each other.”

-Excerpt from a 5th Grade Textbook, Germany, 1935.