Post World War I Germany

1918-1929

2Crisis and Conflict: Impact of World War I Copyright 2006

Millions of dead, wounded or homeless people

Four empires broke up

Self-determination became popular

New nation-states were set up

New boundaries created problems

World economy damaged

What was the world like after World War I?

Changes to society

3Crisis and Conflict: Impact of World War I Copyright 2006

Homeless people:There were numerous displaced refugees who had lost almost everything.

What does this picture tell you about the impact of World War I?

4Crisis and Conflict: Impact of World War I Copyright 2006

Destroyed infrastructure: A lengthy restoration was required and the economy was damaged.

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Changes to position of women in society: They expected equal rights, equal opportunities.

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Unemployment: Many jobs were displaced by the war.

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Summary

• Germany• Austria-Hungary• Ottoman Turkey

• Britain• France• Serbia• Russia (until 1917)• Italy (from May 1915)• USA (fought as an Associated Power from 1917)

Major countries involved

Central Powers

Allied Powers

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Germany

Weimar Republic formed in 1918

Treaty of Versailles

Effects of Reparations

German Hyperinflation, 1922

Leftist Agitation in Germany

“Hands Off the Ruhr”

Germany

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

Joins National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi) in 1920

Leader(s) – Adolf HitlerAustrian bornWorld War I veteranMember of the National Socialist Workers’ PartyLed the Brownshirts1923 - Staged the “Beer Hall Putsch” – failedWrote Mein KampfBlamed Jews & Communists for losing warAppealed to German’s sense of historyBecomes Chancellor in 1933Attacks JewsTakes title of der FührerRestores Germany’s military mightIgnored Versailles TreatyOrganizes Nazi youth movement

Important Events1919 – Germans elect an assembly which establishes a democratic republic called the Weimar Republic1923 – Ruhr Valley occupied by French troops & Beer Hall Putsch1929 – Great Depression in Germany1933 – Hitler becomes chancellor & Reichstag fire1934 – Purge of the Brownshirts1935 – Nuremburg Laws enacted1936 – Hitler and Mussolini sign the Berlin-Rome Axis1938 – Kristallnacht1938 - Austria is annexed – “One blood demands one Reich”1938 – Hitler demands and receives the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia (appeasement) at the Munich Conference

PeopleBlamed Weimar leaders for signing the Versailles TreatyWidespread opposition to Weimar LeadersBrownshirts – private army of veterans and street thugsHitler appealed to workers and industrialistsPolitical parties banned by NazisLabor unions taken over by NazisChurches controlled and clergy silencedJews – stripped of citizenship and right to hold office; barred from schools and destroyed business

DiplomacyFrance - occupies the industrial Ruhr ValleyU.S. – provides loans to Germany – helps free Germany of debtAdolf Hitler supports General Francisco Franco of the Spanish Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) he wanted Spanish iron ore and magnesium; prevent spread of communism; test new weapons and military tactics (blitzkrieg)

EconomyAllies set reparations at $35 billion 1922 – Germany says it can not pay (industrial Ruhr Valley is occupied)Inflation soaredSavings of Germans wiped outMid-1920s – France reaches compromise with GermanyU.S provides loans – Germany has 5-year period of prosperityGreat Depression (begins in 1929) – unemployment, etc.

MilitaryTreaty of Versailles limited the size of the Germany armyHitler sought to restore Germany’s military mightGerman factories begin turning out guns, ammunition, airplanes, tanks, etc.Government stresses importance of a strong military