Armistice to Depression, 1919-1929

Why was Europe so successful up until 1914?

Industrial Revolution, modern capitalism, birthplace of democracy, advanced civilization

Conditions of the Armistice

Germans surrender all weapons, end of hostilities, Allied POWs are returned (German POWs are not), naval blockade of Germany will continue, Germany must withdraw forces from other countries, Germany will pay reparations

Goals of Wilson's 14 points

Restoration of Belgium, Romania, and Serbia, France regains Alsace-Lorraine, Italy's frontier will be adjusted, Poland will be formed as an independent state, Austria-Hungary will be given

"Autonomous Development"

"Stab in the Back" Myth

The undefeated German army had been betrayed by the civilian population (Jews, racial minorities, homosexuals, Roma's, the disabled, etc)

What is the Paris Peace Conference?

Peace Negotiations in Paris at the end of WW1.

Germany and Austria-Hungary had no say in the terms agreed to or discussed during the PPC.

What treaty is created at the PPC

Treaty of Versailles

Woodrow Wilson's (USA) role

Attempted to be a "neutral peacemaker" through his 14 points.

As an American, he did not understand the complexities of Europe and assumed that democracy and self-determination was wanted by all Europeans and would save them.

M. Clemenceau's (France) role/goals

Protect France at all costs from another German attack.

Disable and disarm the German military.

Force Germany to pay total reparations.

Recapture Alsace-Lorraine

Lloyd George's (GB) role/goals

Faced heavy pressure from Colonial and nationalistic sentiment in England.

Force Germany to pay total reparations.

Results of the Treaty of Versailles

Germany is given the treaty on a "take it or leave it" basis and is unable to negotiate.

Saar Basin and Alsace-Lorraine is returned to France.

Polish Corridor is created.

Heavy Demilitarization of the German Army (100k men cap, no construction of weapons)

15 year French occupation of the Rhineland.

Guilt Clause/Article 231

Germany will accept the responsibility of her + her allies for the aggression and loss of ALL countries in WW1

Minor Treaties

Treaty of Trianon - Deprived Hungary of 2/3 of its size and left 1/3 of all Ethnic Hungarians outside of its borders

Treaty of Saint Germain - Left Czechoslovakia Ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland

Treaty of Neuilly - Contracted Bulgarian borders

Treaty of Sevres - Ratified the liberation of Arabic states, Turkish nationalists quickly rebelled.

Post War Instability

10M people are displaced in Europe.

Minority groups are separated by new boundaries

Weimar Constitution

Germany is referred to as the "Deutsches Reich" (German Commonwealth) until 1949.

Run as a Democracy

Key Provisions of the Weimar Republic

Power of the state comes from the people.

Parliamentary model

Universal Suffrage

Reichstag (parliament) is established

Great Depression Background Info

Stock Market Crash in 1929 and was almost immediately felt in GB and Germany.

50% of Germans were unemployed

20%-25% of Britain's were unemployed

Deflation

Cut Government spending (due to lack of tax revenue)

Countries began to turn inward and raised tariffs (Nationalism)

Fear that depression could become permanent

Inflation

Borrow money to increase spending

Government was the only one spending money with consumer purchasing power

Created new jobs through vast public work programs

Increased money circulation

The Middle Way

"Mixed Market Economy"

High degree of Hegemony

Trade Unions did not confront businesses with hostility

Economic Nationalism

Protectionism - Countries restrict trade by raising tariffs, which destabilizes the world economy