Depth Study: Germany 1918-1939 PDF

**Germany from the End of World War I to the Start of World War II (1918--1939)** **1. Aftermath of World War I (1918--1919)** - Germany surrendered on **November 11, 1918**, leading to the end of World War I. - The country was in political and economic turmoil due to the war\'s destr...

**Germany from the End of World War I to the Start of World War II (1918--1939)** **1. Aftermath of World War I (1918--1919)** - Germany surrendered on **November 11, 1918**, leading to the end of World War I. - The country was in political and economic turmoil due to the war\'s destruction. - **The German Revolution (1918--1919)** led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on **November 9, 1918**. - A provisional government, the **Weimar Republic**, was established under President **Friedrich Ebert**. - In **June 1919**, Germany was forced to sign the **Treaty of Versailles**, which had severe consequences: - Blamed Germany for the war (Article 231, \"War Guilt Clause\"). - Germany had to pay **132 billion gold marks** in reparations. - Lost **13% of its territory**, including Alsace-Lorraine (to France) and parts of Prussia (to Poland). - Military was reduced to **100,000 soldiers**, and the navy and air force were heavily restricted. **2. The Weimar Republic (1919--1933)** Despite being a democratic government, the Weimar Republic faced numerous challenges: **a) Economic Crisis and Hyperinflation (1919--1924)** - The cost of reparations led to economic hardship. - In 1923, Germany **failed to pay reparations**, leading to the French occupation of the **Ruhr region**. - The German government printed excessive money, leading to **hyperinflation** (e.g., a loaf of bread cost billions of marks). - The crisis was stabilized by the **Dawes Plan (1924)**, which provided loans from the U.S. to rebuild the German economy. **b) Political Instability and Extremism** - Various political uprisings, such as: - The **Spartacist Uprising (1919)** (Communist revolution attempt). - The **Kapp Putsch (1920)** (Right-wing coup attempt). - The **Beer Hall Putsch (1923)** by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, which failed. - Rise of radical political parties, including the **Nazi Party** (National Socialist German Workers\' Party, NSDAP). **c) Period of Stability (1924--1929)** - Germany experienced economic recovery due to the **Dawes Plan** and international diplomacy. - **Locarno Treaties (1925)** improved relations with France and Britain. - In 1926, Germany joined the **League of Nations**. - The economy grew, and Germany entered the **\"Golden Twenties.\"** **d) The Great Depression and Collapse of the Weimar Republic (1929--1933)** - The **Wall Street Crash (1929)** led to an economic crisis in Germany. - U.S. loans were withdrawn, unemployment soared, and businesses collapsed. - The public lost faith in democratic leadership, turning towards extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists. - In **January 1933**, President **Paul von Hindenburg** appointed **Adolf Hitler as Chancellor**. **3. The Rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany (1933--1939)** **a) Establishment of a Dictatorship (1933--1934)** - **February 1933:** The **Reichstag Fire** occurred, blamed on Communists. Hitler used this to justify emergency powers. - **March 1933:** The **Enabling Act** was passed, giving Hitler dictatorial powers. - **June 1934:** The **Night of the Long Knives**---Hitler purged political opponents, including members of the Nazi SA. - **August 1934:** Hindenburg died; Hitler declared himself **Führer (Leader)**, merging the roles of Chancellor and President. **b) Nazi Policies and Totalitarian Rule** - **Gleichschaltung (Coordination):** Nazis controlled all aspects of life---media, education, and police. - **Gestapo (Secret Police)** and **SS (Schutzstaffel)** suppressed opposition. - **Anti-Semitic laws**, such as the **Nuremberg Laws (1935)**, stripped Jews of citizenship and rights. - Economic recovery was achieved through **autarky (self-sufficiency)**, public works (e.g., **Autobahns**), and military expansion. **4. Nazi Foreign Policy and the Road to War (1936--1939)** Hitler pursued aggressive expansionism, violating the Treaty of Versailles: **a) Remilitarization and Expansion** - **1936:** Germany **remilitarized the Rhineland**, violating the treaty. - **1938:** The **Anschluss (Annexation of Austria)**---Germany took over Austria without resistance. - **1938:** **Munich Agreement**---Britain and France allowed Germany to annex the **Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia)** to avoid war. - **1939:** Germany occupied the rest of **Czechoslovakia**, showing Hitler would not stop. **b) The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (August 1939)** - Germany signed a **non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union** (Nazi-Soviet Pact). - Secretly, they agreed to divide **Poland** between them. **c) Invasion of Poland and Start of World War II** - On **September 1, 1939**, Germany **invaded Poland**. - Britain and France declared war on Germany on **September 3, 1939**, marking the start of **World War II**. **Summary of Key Events (1918--1939)** **Year** **Event** ---------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1918 Germany surrenders; Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates 1919 Treaty of Versailles signed; Weimar Republic established 1923 Hyperinflation crisis; Hitler's failed Beer Hall Putsch 1924 Dawes Plan stabilizes the economy 1929 Great Depression begins, leading to economic collapse 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor; Enabling Act gives him absolute power 1935 Nuremberg Laws strip Jews of rights 1936 Rhineland remilitarized 1938 Anschluss (Austria annexed); Munich Agreement allows Sudetenland annexation 1939 Germany invades Poland; WWII begins **The League of Nations (1920--1946)** **1. Introduction and Purpose** - The **League of Nations (LON)** was established in **1920** after World War I as part of the **Treaty of Versailles**. - It was the first global **intergovernmental organization** aimed at **maintaining world peace**. - The League's main goals: 1. Prevent future wars through **collective security**. 2. Settle international disputes peacefully. 3. Encourage **disarmament**. 4. Improve global cooperation in economic and social issues. **2. Structure of the League** The League had a complex organization with different bodies: - **The Assembly**: - Included **all member states** (each had one vote). - Met once a year to discuss global issues. - **The Council**: - Had **four permanent members** (Britain, France, Italy, Japan, later Germany & USSR). - Could impose **sanctions or military actions**. - **The Secretariat**: - Managed administrative work, reports, and communication. - **The Permanent Court of International Justice**: - Resolved disputes **legally** between nations. - **Special Agencies**: - Handled labor rights (**International Labour Organization**), refugees, health, and human trafficking. **3. Strengths of the League of Nations** **a) First Attempt at Global Peace Organization** - It was the first international organization **dedicated to world peace**. - Established the **concept of collective security**, where nations acted together against aggression. **b) Humanitarian and Social Successes** The League made important contributions in: - **Refugee Aid**: Helped **400,000 prisoners of war** return home after WWI. - **Disease Control**: The **Health Organization** fought malaria, leprosy, and typhus. - **Drug and Human Trafficking**: Fought the **illegal drug trade and slavery**. - **Workers\' Rights**: Improved **working conditions** through the **International Labour Organization**. **c) Prevented Some Conflicts** - Solved small disputes between countries: - **1921: Aaland Islands dispute** (Sweden & Finland). - **1925: Greece-Bulgaria border conflict**. **4. Weaknesses of the League** **a) No Real Power** - The League had **no military force** of its own. - It relied on **member states to enforce sanctions**, which many ignored. **b) Lack of Major Powers** - **USA never joined**, weakening the League's authority. - **Germany** was banned until 1926, and **USSR** joined late (1934). - **Japan and Italy left** when criticized for aggression. **c) Decision-Making Was Slow and Ineffective** - Unanimous voting required in the **Assembly and Council** led to delays. - Some powerful nations **ignored the League's decisions**. **d) Economic Sanctions Were Weak** - Many countries refused to apply sanctions since they hurt their own economies. - The **Great Depression (1929)** made nations focus on their own survival, weakening global cooperation. **5. Failures of the League** **a) Manchurian Crisis (1931--1933)** - **Japan invaded Manchuria (China)** and set up a puppet state. - The League **condemned Japan**, but Japan **left the League** and kept Manchuria. - **No military action was taken**, proving the League was weak. **b) Abyssinian Crisis (1935--1936)** - **Italy (Mussolini) invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia)**. - The League imposed weak sanctions but didn't stop **oil sales** to Italy. - **Britain and France secretly made a deal (Hoare-Laval Pact) to appease Mussolini**. - Italy **left the League** and conquered Abyssinia. **c) Failure to Prevent World War II** - The League **failed to stop Germany, Japan, and Italy's aggression** in the 1930s. - **Germany** began rearming in **1933** and left the League. - **Spain (Spanish Civil War), Austria (Anschluss, 1938), and Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland Crisis, 1938)** showed how powerless the League was. - **1939: Germany invaded Poland**, starting **World War II**, proving the League had failed. **6. Successes of the League** **a) Border Disputes Resolved Peacefully** - **Aaland Islands (1921)**: Settled a dispute between **Sweden and Finland**. - **Upper Silesia (1921)**: Resolved a dispute between **Germany and Poland**. - **Mosul (1924)**: Resolved a dispute between **Turkey and Iraq**. - **Greece-Bulgaria conflict (1925)**: Stopped an invasion diplomatically. **b) Humanitarian Achievements** - The League made great progress in **health, refugees, labor rights, and drug control**. - **International Labour Organization (ILO)** improved work conditions worldwide. - **The Health Organization** laid the foundation for the **World Health Organization (WHO)**. **7. Summary of the League's Performance** **Aspect** **Performance** ---------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Strengths** First global peacekeeping organization, humanitarian efforts, settled minor disputes **Weaknesses** No military power, USA never joined, slow decision-making, economic sanctions ineffective **Failures** Couldn't stop Japan (Manchuria), Italy (Abyssinia), or Hitler's aggression **Successes** Solved small disputes, improved health, labor rights, and refugee conditions **8. Conclusion: Why the League Failed** - The League lacked **real enforcement power** (no army, weak sanctions). - The **absence of major powers (USA, Germany, USSR)** weakened it. - **Economic crises (Great Depression)** led nations to focus on their own interests. - **Appeasement** encouraged aggressors like Hitler, Mussolini, and Japan. - By **1939, the League had collapsed in authority**, leading to **World War II**. - After WWII, the League was replaced by the **United Nations (UN) in 1946**, which had **stronger enforcement mechanisms**.