Hass-History

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

28th June,1919

Who were the Allied leaders responsible for the treaty known as?

The Big Three

The Big Three included:

1. Georges Clemenceau

2. David Lloyd-George

3. Woodrow Willson

Georges Clemenceau

He was the leader of France, was know as "‘The Tiger’ because he wanted to destroy Germany and make them pay for the damages to France.

David Lloyd-George

Prime Minister of Great Britain believed Germany should be punished to a certain extent but he also believed that Germany would be an important trading partner in the future. He also believed that Germany could be an important ally if ever Britain went to war with communists Russia.

Woodrow Willson

President of the United States believed that Germany needed to be punished fairly otherwise another war may result. He also wanted to create an international peace-keeping organisation known as the League of Nations.

The conditions of the Treaty of Versailles

1. Germany had to accept war guilt.

2. Germany has to pay 33 billion in reparations.

3. The German army was reduced to 100,000 men.

4. Germany wasn’t allowed tanks, large battleships, submarines, planes or an airforce.

5. The Saar region in Germany could be mined by France for 15 years.

6. Germany lost all of its overseas colonies in Africa and Asia. They also lost 13% of it’s European territory.

7. Germany wasn’t allowed to unite with Austria.

8. The Rhineland in Germany needed to be demilitarised.

9. The league of Nations was created.

What did the German people refer to the Treaty of Versailles?

‘The Diktat’ (the dictated peace). They thought the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh and that they were forced to sign it.

What was the 1920s also known as?

• The Jazz Age

• The Roaring twenties

Significant changes that occurred in the 1920s

• Fashion

• Music

• Film

• Household appliances

• Car industry

• Dance

Fashion for women

Traditional dresses that had hemlines to the ankles became shorter and women began to cut their hair into bobs. Women who wore shorter skirts and cut their hair into bobs were known as ‘flappers’. Woman also began to smoke in public. However, women in rural areas experienced little change.

Jazz music

It became popular in the 1920s, particularly amongst young people. Some Americans saw it as a threat to society because it was created by African-American musicians.

The film industry

Hollywood became the movie capital of the world and actors such as Charlie Chaplin and Clara Bow became household names. Visiting the cinema was cheap and affordable for most Americans.

The car industry

The model T Ford became the most popular vehicle in America and was sold for $350. Chrysler and General Motors were also large car manufacturers.

Household appliances

Household appliances became more affordable during the 1920s. Appliances such as washing machines, irons and refrigerators made life easier and more comfortable.

Dances

Dances during the 1920s became more rebellious. The Charleston was the most popular dance of the decade,

Negative aspects of the 1920s

• Alcohol was banned in the USA between 1920-1933.

• There was an increase in organised crime. Gangsters made their fortunes selling illegal alcohol and organising gambling houses.

• The racism that existed. Groups such as the Ku Klux Klan increased in membership in the United states.

The Weimar Republic

The Weimar republic which existed in Germany between 1918-1933, was the democratic system of government

Why was the Weimar Republic unpopular with Germans?

Despite giving the German people more freedom and rights , it was unpopular because it was seen as a weak system of government when compared to the monarchy which previously existed. The monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II had been more popular during his reign. The Weimar Republic was also seen as weak because they signed the Treaty of Versailles which humiliated Germany.

What were the issues that the Weimar Republic faced during the 1920s?

1. Severe economic issues such as hyperinflation. The German currency lost much of its value by 1923 and the nation faced an economic crisis. The hyperinflation was mainly a result of the government printing too much money to pay back reparations.

2. Political uprisings. Some extremist groups such as the Nazi Party tried to overthrow democracy in Germany. The Weimar Republic used the military to stop the uprisings as was seen in the Beer Hall Putsch.

3. It was difficult for one political party to gain a majority in parliament and therefore the law-making process was slow.

Other problems the Weimar Republic faced

In 1923 Germany couldn’t make their reparation payments to the Allies. As a result, France sent in soldiers to occupy the Ruhr, a region in Germany important for industry and mining. The French began confiscating German products and sending them back to France. This angered the Germans and violence resulted.

How did Gustav Stresemann solve the hyperinflation crisis and occupy the Ruhr

1. Introduced a new currency.

2. Encouraged Germans living in the Ruhr to work with the French so they would eventually leave.

3. He negotiated with the Allies to repay war damages in smaller instalments.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939 and was the worst economic crisis the world had ever experienced. A depression refers to an economic downturn which is characterised by a fall in productivity, high unemployment and increased levels of homelessness.

Where did the Great Depression begin?

The Great Depression began in the United States and soon spread to countries such as Great Britain, Germany and Australia. The country that was not affected by the Great Depression was Russia.

Homeless people during the Great Depression

Homeless people in the United States would resort to building shacks out of any materials they could find. A village of shacks was called a Hooverville, named after the President of the United States (Herbert Hoover) who they blamed for the depression.

Unemployment rates

Unemployment rates reached 32% in Australia and 25% for the US.

Unemployment benefits

Unfortunately, there were no unemployment benefits at the start of the depression and the unemployed relied on charity organisations for support. Soup kitchens were places that gave people a free meal. To assist the unemployed, governments introduced unemployment benefits and tried to create jobs through public projects such as building schools, hospitals and roads.

One industry that grew during the Great Depression

The film industry grew during the Great Depression was the film industry. Films offered an escape from reality for audiences who attended cinemas.

The end of the Great Depression

Although governments tried to solve the problem of the Depression, the crisis was finally brought to an end in 1939 with the start of World War II. The conflict created jobs for soldiers, weapons, uniform and food supplies increased.