Interbellum History Overview

A period of time between World War I and World War II, characterized by economic instability, political unrest, and social change.

Italian dictator who rose to power in the 1920s, known for his fascist ideology and aggressive foreign policy.

A political ideology that emphasizes nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of opposition. It often uses propaganda and violence to achieve its goals.

The economic downturn that gripped the world in the 1930s, marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and bank failures.

A set of programs and reforms implemented by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression. It aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform.

A period of significant economic growth and prosperity in the United States during the 1920s, marked by increased industrialization and consumerism.

The stock market crash of 1929, which triggered the Great Depression.

The use of media, public relations, and other methods to influence public opinion and promote a particular ideology or agenda.

The period between 1919 and 1939 in Germany, marked by political instability, economic hardship, and societal divisions. These challenges, combined with external pressures and internal strife, led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

A punitive treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied Powers after World War I. It placed blame solely on Germany, demanded reparations, and stripped Germany of territories, colonies, and military strength.

The perception among many Germans that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and imposed by the victors without considering German interests, leading to bitterness and resentment.

The economic crisis in Germany after World War I marked by rapid inflation, rising prices, and devaluation of the German currency. This fueled social unrest and political instability.

The financial strategy implemented in 1924 to stabilize Germany's economy after hyperinflation. It included a restructuring of reparation payments and loans from the United States, providing temporary economic relief.

A state of economic hardship and instability, characterized by unemployment, poverty, and limited resources. This contributed to social unrest and fueled political extremism in interwar Germany.

The state of being divided into opposing groups or factions, often based on political ideologies, social classes, or values. This contributed to Germany's political instability and paved the way for extremist movements.

The rise of extreme political movements, like the Nazi Party, in interwar Germany. These movements capitalized on societal divisions, economic hardship, and resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles, gaining popular support through radical promises.

A period of economic prosperity in Germany after WWI, lasting from 1924 to 1929.

A plan implemented in 1924 that reduced Germany's annual reparations payments and tied them to its economic capacity.

The period after 1929 when the global economic depression hit Germany, leading to a dramatic decline in production and a surge in unemployment.

The political system established in Germany after WWI, featuring a parliamentary system and universal suffrage.

A political movement in Germany during the interwar period that wanted to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish a communist state, similar to Russia.

A group of conservative and nationalist factions in Germany during the interwar period who opposed the Weimar Republic and wanted the return of the German monarchy.

The fragile economic recovery in Germany during The Golden Years was largely dependent on financial support from the United States.

The Great Depression significantly worsened Germany's economic condition, which fueled public dissatisfaction and anger towards the government, creating a political climate ripe for the rise of extremism.

A system where the number of seats a party wins in parliament is directly proportional to the percentage of votes they receive, leading to fragmented parliaments & difficulty in forming stable governments.

Intense political division within a nation, often leading to unrest and instability.

A failed coup attempt by the Nazi Party in 1923, aiming to seize power in Munich. Although unsuccessful, it gained Hitler national notoriety.

Hitler's autobiography outlining his ideology, including extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and a vision of German expansion into Eastern Europe.

A totalitarian regime is a form of government where the state exerts total control over every aspect of public and private life, suppressing dissent and individual liberties.

The Enabling Act was a law passed in 1933, giving Hitler dictatorial powers and effectively dismantling democracy in Germany.

The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 aimed to strip Jews of their rights and citizenship in Germany, effectively establishing them as second-class citizens. This laid the groundwork for the systematic persecution of Jews during the Holocaust.

Hitler's policy of rapid rearmament and public works projects, like the construction of the Autobahn, significantly reduced unemployment and boosted national pride in Germany. This economic revival created a strong sense of nationalism and support for the Nazi regime.

Following Germany's rise to power, Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles by remilitarizing the Rhineland, a region that had been demilitarized after World War I. This was the first step in Hitler's plan to expand Germany's territory.

The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was a significant step in Hitler's aggressive territorial expansion. It demonstrated his determination to reunify all German-speaking territories by force.

In 1938, Germany demanded the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German population. The British and French policy of appeasement aimed to avoid war by giving in to Hitler's demands, but it ultimately emboldened him.

The term "appeasement" refers to a policy of giving in to demands made by an aggressor, often in the hope of avoiding conflict. Britain and France adopted this strategy towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s, but it ultimately failed to prevent war.

The invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 marked the formal beginning of World War II. It triggered the declaration of war by Britain and France, marking the start of a global conflict.

The interwar period witnessed drastic changes in Germany, from the humiliation of defeat in World War I to the rise of the Nazi regime. This period offers valuable lessons concerning the dangers of political extremism, the impact of economic hardship, and the consequences of international isolation.