Interwar Period

Countries strong after WW1

US, Britain, France, and Japan

German reparations

Money and goods Germany had to pay to other countries as punishment for WWI, as decided by the Treaty of Versailles.

What caused the worldwide depression after WWI

• Germany couldn’t pay reparations

• U.S. dominated the world economy

• People and banks loaned too much money

• Stock Market Crash of 1929

• League of Nations was too weak to stop problems

What was the Treaty of Versailles supposed to do

Keep peace and punish Germany after WW1

Did the Treaty of Versailles work as planned

No, it made things worse and did not prevent future problems.

League of Nations

An international group made to keep peace after WW

Why was the League of Nations weak

• Not all countries joined (like the U.S.)

• No army to enforce rules

• Countries cared more about themselves

Hyperinflation in Germany

When German money became almost worthless; prices went crazy high.

How Germany’s problems affected other countries

Germany couldn’t pay reparations, which hurt other countries’ economies and caused more problems worldwide.

How did the U.S. help Germany after WWI

The U.S. loaned money to Germany, which helped stop hyperinflation and let Germany pay Britain and France.

Effects of the worldwide depression

• Lots of people lost jobs

• Banks failed

• Prices dropped

• Extreme political groups (like Nazis and Communists) gained power

How did countries react to the Great Depression

• The U.S. government got more involved (New Deal)

• Some countries turned to dictators or communism for solutions

interwar period

The years between World War 1 (ended 1918) and World War 2 (started 1939)

What happened to Europe after World War 1

Many countries were weak, economies were damaged, and there were lots of political problems.

Great Depression

A worldwide economic crisis in the 1930s—lots of people lost jobs, banks failed, and businesses closed.

How did the Great Depression affect Germany

Germany’s economy got worse, money became worthless, and people were desperate.

What was the impact of the Great Depression worldwid

High unemployment, poverty, and many countries’ governments struggled.

Who gained power in Germany during the interwar period

The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler

appeasement

When countries let aggressive leaders (like Hitler) take land to avoid another war.

What countries became powerful after WW1

The United States and Japan