14 Questions
What was a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles on countries like Japan, Italy, Germany, and Russia?
They felt cheated and upset.
What was the primary cause of the rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes in the interwar period?
The fall of democracies and the rise of fascism and totalitarianism.
What was the outcome of Germany's decision to print money to pay its debt?
It led to an increase in inflation and a decrease in the value of money.
What was the motivation behind the Dawes plan?
To stabilize the German economy and prevent desperation and instability(also more wealth in germany more people buying US products).
What was the condition of the world economy in 1929?
The world economy was heavily dependent on the US.
What was a characteristic of early democracies in the interwar period?
They were fragile and prone to fragmentation.
What sign indicates a healthy democracy?
A peaceful transfer of power
What economic consequence results from improved farming methods?
Farmers defaulting on loans
How did the United Kingdom boost exports during the economic crisis?
They abandoned the gold standard
Which policy did France implement to make its exports more competitive?
Devalued its currency
What was one of the significant economic measures taken by the USA to help recover from the Great Depression?
The New Deal
Who helped found the Chinese Communist Party and developed his own brand of communism?
Mao Zedong
What event outraged China after the Treaty of Versailles?
Not receiving any land from WW1
Which factor contributes to a healthier economy according to the text?
More people in the middle class
Study Notes
Interwar Period
- Countries felt upset after the Treaty of Versailles, including Japan, Italy, Germany, and Russia, which led to the rise of Fascism, Nazism, and Totalitarianism.
- The Great Depression led to people's inability to work and earn a living, causing widespread poverty.
- The failure to stop Fascist aggression was a lesson from the 1930s.
Spanish Flu
- The Spanish Flu killed five times as many people as World War I, leading to unprecedented fear and unpredictability in life.
- The pandemic led to the development of Expressionism.
Economic Crisis in Germany
- In 1918, a loaf of bread cost 2 marks, but by 1923, it cost 20 billion marks, leading to the disappearance of people's life savings.
- The government opted to print more money to pay debts, causing hyperinflation.
Dawes Plan
- The US intervened to stabilize the economy in Germany by using US money to back the German currency.
- A stable Germany would be able to buy US products, which was beneficial for the US economy.
The Great Depression
- The US was producing over 50% of the world's goods before the Great Depression.
- Early democracies were fragile, and the economic downturn led to social and political instability.
- The economy suffered from problems such as 5% of the population owning 33% of the wealth, leading to reduced consumption and production.
Economic Triangle of Doom
- Farmers took out loans, got into debt, and defaulted, leading to bank failures and reduced purchasing power.
Country-Specific Responses to the Great Depression
Britain
- The government spent heavily on welfare and abandoned the gold standard to boost exports.
- They lowered interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending.
France
- France devalued their currency to make exports more competitive.
- They invested heavily in public works projects and pursued trade agreements with other countries.
USA
- The government invested in public works projects, welfare programs, and banking reforms to restore trust.
- They created safety nets like social security and FDIC insurance.
- The New Deal, led by Roosevelt, helped stimulate the economy.
Scandinavian Countries
- They invested in public works, welfare programs, and manufacturing to boost profits.
- They devalued their currency to help exports.
- Their established safety nets helped stabilize the economy.
Chinese & Japanese History
Qing Dynasty
- Nationalists overthrew the Qing dynasty in 1911.
- The three principles of the people, nationalism, people's rights, and people's livelihood were established.
- Sun turned his power over to a powerful general who broke the democracy.
Communist Party
- Mao Zedong founded the Chinese Communist Party and developed his own brand of communism.
- Lenin sent military advisors to help the Chinese set up their communist party.
Explore the events that led to World War II, including the Treaty of Versailles, the Great Depression, the rise of fascist ideologies, and the failure to stop their aggression. Learn about the impact of the Spanish Flu pandemic and how it influenced art and society.
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