West Civ Quiz- 3/25/26

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn which began in 1929 and lasted through the 1930s

• Massive unemployment

• Bank failures

• Economic collapse

what was the Great Depression characterized by

Overproduction

Under consumption

Unequal wealth distribution

Overuse of credit

what were the underlying causes of the Great Depression

overproduction

Too many goods, not enough buyers

underconsumption

People couldn’t afford products

Economic interdependence after WWI

War debts and reparations (Treaty of Versailles)

U.S. loans to Europe stopped

Collapse spread worldwide

global causes of the Great Depression

Unemployment reached ~25% Breadlines and homelessness Dust Bowl worsened conditions

Global Impact – United States

Severe economic decline in countries like: Germany and the United Kingdom

High unemployment- Political instability increased

Global Impact – Europe

Trade collapsed Industrial production dropped Countries raised tariffs

Global economic slowdown

Global Impact – Worldwide

Poverty and hunger increased

Loss of faith in governments

Rise in protests and unrest

Families struggled to survive

Social Effects of the Great Depression

Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy

Promised: Jobs, National pride, Stability

Rise of Totalitarian Leaders and what did the promise

Economic desperation

Fear and uncertainty

Weak democratic governments

Propaganda and scapegoating

Why did Extremism Grow

Hit hardest by depression

Massive unemployment

Hitler used economic anger to gain power

Led to rise of Nazism

Example of extremism – Germany

Totalitarianism

A system where the government has total control over all aspects of life

No political opposition allowed Individual rights are limited or eliminated

rules of Totalitarianism

Single-party rule

Dictator with absolute power

State control of economy & society

No freedoms (speech, press, assembly)

key characteristics of Totalitarianism

Secret police

Surveillance of citizens

Arrests, imprisonment, executions

Control Through Fear

Gestapo (Germany), NKVD (Soviet Union)

example of control through fear

Government-controlled media

Education used to influence youth

Posters, rallies, radio broadcasts

Creates loyalty and unity

Propaganda & Indoctrination

Promotes extreme pride in country

Blames outsiders or minorities

Encourages unity under the leader

Use of Nationalism

Strong military focus

Preparation for war

Expansion of territory seen as necessary

Militarism & Expansion

Adolf Hitler (Germany)

Benito Mussolini (Italy)

Joseph Stalin (USSR)

Key Leaders

Economic instability (Great Depression)

Weak governments

Promises of stability and jobs

Use of fear and propaganda

How Did They Gain Power? (Overview)

Took advantage of Germany’s struggles after WWI

Leader of the Nazi Party- Appointed Chancellor in 1933

Used crisis to gain full control

Hitler’s Rise to Power

Promised to restore Italy’s greatness

Led Fascist Party- Became Prime Minister in 1922

Used intimidation and violence

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

Rose after Lenin’s death- Became dictator of the Soviet Union

Outmaneuvered political rivals

Consolidated power through control of Communist Party

Stalin’s Rise to Power

Over 16 million deaths worldwide

Millions wounded or disabled

Cities, farms, and industries destroyed

Europe economically exhausted

The Cost of the War

German Empire

Austro-Hungarian Empire

Ottoman Empire

Russian Empire

These empires disappeared by the end of the war.

The Collapse of Empires

Poland

Czechoslovakia

Yugoslavia

Finland

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Many borders created ethnic tensions.

New Countries Created

The Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Peace treaty between Germany and the Allied Powers.

Punish Germany

Prevent another war

Redraw Europe's political map

goals of The Treaty of Versailles (1919)

War Guilt Clause

Reparations payments

Loss of territory

Military restrictions

Major Terms of the Treaty

Alsace-Lorraine returned to France

Polish Corridor created

Colonies taken by Allied powers

Rhineland demilitarized

Territorial Losses for Germany

League of Nations

Proposed by Woodrow Wilson.

Maintain peace

Resolve international conflicts

purpose of the League of Nations

The United States never joined

problem of the League of Nations

Massive war debts

Destroyed industries

High unemployment

Hyperinflation in Germany

Economic Problems After the War

Massive Death and Trauma

Psychological Damage

Disillusionment With Society

Uncertain Future

Social Impact of the War

Massive Death and Trauma

Millions of young soldiers were killed or permanently wounded.

Entire groups of friends and classmates never returned home.

Psychological Damage

Many survivors suffered from shell shock (what we now call PTSD).

Disillusionment With Society

Before the war, people believed in ideas like:

glory in battle, honor for one's country, progress of civilization

Uncertain Future

Europe’s economy, governments, and social structures were unstable after the war, leaving many young people unsure about their place in the world.

Women expanded roles in workforce

Public distrust of governments

Cultural and political instability

Social Impact of the War

Harsh punishment of Germany

Economic instability

Weak international cooperation

Rising political extremism

Seeds of Future Conflict

The years between World War I and World War II (1919–1939).

Rise of dictators

Global economic depression

Failure of peace efforts

Transition to the Interwar Years