Title: Political Tensions After World War I

Aim: What problems/plight “shadowed” different European nations throughout the post Great War era?

Title: Political Tensions After World War I

Do Now: Throughout the initial stages onward of a post war period, what problems might a country face?      -  In other words, what happens in a given         country once a war is over? 

Please hand in your HW! Thank you!

Political, Economic, Social Problems in Europe

• Political Problems – Collapse of Old Gov. Weak Democracies– Creation of new Countries Cultural Tensions/Displacements

• Economic Problems– No Industry/Agricultural Production– Impossible Reparations

• Social Problems– Returning Soldiers unable to be integrated back into society/ Disabled– Dealing with HUGE LOSS– Stagnant Population

-Need to rebuild the infrastructure (Massive destructions)

-Pay war debts (loans)

-Return soldiers to civilian life (major/and in many cases, very difficult transition)

- Change from wartime to peacetime economy (during a war, since many “war machines” are required, many potential status of employment are filled, which dramatically decreases the unemployment levels – mass growth in the country’s economy, however, throughout the post-war era, the opposite often occur) = internal economic woes/problems.

Problems in Post-War EuropeCountry ProblemsFrance

Germany

Austria

Hungary

Poland

OBJECTIVE I

• Need a volunteer to READ ALOUD about postwar France. Afterwards, we will examine problems facing France throughout the post-Great War era.

Problems in Post-War EuropeCountry ProblemsFrance Land in ruins

Technology destroyedYoung men killed in war brain & labor drainInflationWar debtCost of Maginot Line (over 3 billion francs)Political unrest.

GermanyAustriaHungaryPoland

The Maginot Line

What was the Maginot Line?

• Named after André Maginot, French Minister for War 1929 – 32.

• A series of impressive defensive fortifications along France’s border with Germany.

• Fortified zones,• Underground bunkers,• Anti-tank defences,• Pill-boxes,• Artillery placements,• Communication

centres,• Etc.

Problems in Post-War EuropeCountry ProblemsFranceGermany “Peace” from Treaty of Versailles seen as imposed &

harsh both by • New regime (Socialists and Catholics)• Supporters of older orderGermany weakened, but neither entirely nor permanentlyRejected war guilt clauseWas reluctant to acknowledge defeat

AustriaHungaryPoland

OBJECTIVE II

1. What problems/challenges did Austria, Hungary, and Poland have to face after World War I?

• Austria: • Hungary:

• Poland:

Problems in Post-War EuropeCountry ProblemsFrance

Germany

Austria weak economy, private armies.

Hungary succession of weak governmentsnew boundaries interrupted trade

Poland political conflictshigh German tariffs

CLOSE

1) Review your Problems chart.2) Answer the following question in your notebook:Which countries do you think were in the most precarious (unstable, most likely to fall apart) position? Why?3) Now, let’s construct a small “math” equation:Post war era (Treaty of Versailles) + Postwar economic woes + Great Depression + Political plight = ??????

Write in your notebook

Base on your understanding and analysis (our discussion), could leaders of the countries in question have handle their postwar situations differently? EXPLAIN!!!!

How & Why did totalitarian governments rose to power?

Global problems throughout the post-WWI era: 1. The troubling Treaty of Versailles

- Created way more problems than it actually solved.- Many countries were angry and simply hated it, especially the Germans.

2. Economy worries - Various European countries were forced to payoff high war debts, i.e., Germany and the “War Guilt” Clause – high reparations of 33 BILLION $$$ in 30 years. - This led to various economic woes. - Since most of the Great War took place in West Europe [France, Germany, Belgium, etc.), countries had to shell out millions of $$$ to        help rebuild the infrastructure of those countries Many were flat out broke. - To top things off, countries across the globe had to deal with the GREAT Depression = greater economic woes.

3. Keeping the abovementioned in mind, added to the failures of newly established democracies/gov’ts, the flood gates were wide open for the storm that rapidly approached = dictatorships  (People  hungered  for  hope/change/improvements), i.e., A. Hitler (Germany), B. Mussolini (Italy), and various others.

Purpose of the League of Nations

According to Woodrow Wilson:

KEEP THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY …

so to establish lasting peace.

Adolph Hitler (r. 1933-1945)

Failure of Treaty of Versailles

• “Failed to create a Just and Secure Peace”

– Germans felt blame for starting war was unfair

– Germans felt being stripped of German territory was unfair

– Russia mad at the carving away Russian land for creation of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia

World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy”

After WWI, New Democratic Gov. emerged: Germany, Austria, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece

All Lacked democratic traditions

New leaders failed to show citizens how democracy could improve their lives economically

Treaty of Versailles did not allow war torn nations to rebuild, rather made them pay huge war debts

World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy”

All while dealing w/ depression, starvation, homelessness, unemployment

Countries Unable to Cope

New Democracies Collapse

World STILL “Not Safe for Democracy”

Dictators seize power and throw out elected leaders.

OBJECTIVE III

• What is Sinn Fein?

It’s the political faction of the I.R.A (Irish Republican Army), which was set on fighting for Irish nationhood. They opposed the oppressive rule of the British. Still exist to this very day. Today, Ireland remains very divided – British vs. Irish; Catholic (Irish) vs. Protestant (British).