Unit 3.5: Interwar Study Guide

Treaty of Versailles

A peace treaty signed in 1919 that ended World War I, requiring Germany to accept war responsibility, make reparations, and give up territories.

Significance of the Treaty of Versailles

Led to widespread resentment in Germany, contributing to the rise of Hitler and WWII.

Big Four

The leaders of the four main Allied powers during WWI peace negotiations: Woodrow Wilson (USA), David Lloyd George (UK), Georges Clemenceau (France), Vittorio Orlando (Italy).

Role of the Big Four in Treaty of Versailles

They shaped the Treaty, with Wilson advocating for the League of Nations and Clemenceau pushing for harsh penalties against Germany.

Fourteen Points

A set of proposals by Woodrow Wilson in 1918 calling for just peace principles like self-determination and the creation of the League of Nations.

Significance of Wilson’s Fourteen Points

Emphasized diplomacy over punishment, with some points ignored, leading to future tensions.

League of Nations

An international organization established in 1920 to maintain world peace and prevent future wars, proposed by Wilson.

Significance of the League of Nations

Failed to prevent WWII due to inability to enforce decisions and U.S. refusal to join.

German Reparation Payments

Payments required from Germany to the Allied powers after WWI as compensation for war damages.

Significance of German reparation payments

Caused economic hardship in Germany, leading to hyperinflation and the rise of Nazi power.

Dawes Plan

A plan created in 1924 to ease German reparation payments by allowing Germany to borrow from the U.S.

Significance of the Dawes Plan

Temporarily stabilized the German economy, but created dependency on U.S. loans.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S. from 1919-1920.

Palmer Raids

Government actions to arrest and deport suspected communists and anarchists, especially immigrants.

Significance of the Red Scare and Palmer Raids

Violated civil liberties and resulted in the persecution of many innocent people.

Tulsa Race Riot

A violent attack on the Black community of Greenwood, Oklahoma, by a white mob in 1921.

Significance of the Tulsa Race Riot

Highlighted deep racial tensions in America, largely forgotten in history.

Nativism

The belief that native-born citizens are superior to immigrants.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

A white supremacist group active in the 1920s, using violence and intimidation against minority groups.

Significance of Nativism and the KKK

Promoted discrimination and violence, contributing to ethnic tensions in the U.S.

Religious Fundamentalism

A belief in a literal interpretation of religious texts, rejecting modern scientific theories.

Scopes Trial significance

Highlighted tension between science and religion in schools, emblematic of the cultural divide of the 1920s.

Laissez-faire Economic Policies

An economic approach where the government minimizes intervention in business activities.

Impact of Laissez-faire in the 1920s

Contributed to economic prosperity but led to over-speculation and the stock market collapse.

Trickle-down Economics

The theory that benefits for the wealthy will eventually trickle down to lower classes.

Application of Trickle-down Economics in the 1920s

Promoted by President Calvin Coolidge, but criticized for deepening wealth inequality.

Tariffs

Taxes placed on imported goods to protect domestic industries.

Role of Tariffs in the 1920s

High tariffs protected American businesses but led to reduced international trade.

Buying on Credit

A system allowing consumers to purchase goods and services and pay over time.

Impact of Buying on Credit in the 1920s

Fueled consumerism but increased debt levels, contributing to the Great Depression.

Consumerism

An ideology promoting the acquisition of goods and services in increasing amounts.

Evidence of Consumerism in the 1920s

Surged due to advertising and mass production, but contributed to unsustainable debt levels.

Communism

An economic and political system advocating for a classless society and state ownership of production.

Marxism impact on global politics

Influenced revolutions, particularly in Russia, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and first leader of the Soviet Union.

Bolsheviks

A socialist faction led by Lenin that seized power in the October Revolution of 1917.

Socialism

A political and economic system with production owned and regulated by the state.

Joseph Stalin

The leader of the Soviet Union after Lenin, known for totalitarian rule and purges.

Soviets

Councils of workers and soldiers formed during the Russian Revolution.

October Revolution

The successful Bolshevik coup in 1917 that established a communist government in Russia.

Five-Year Plan

Economic plans by Stalin aimed at rapid industrialization and collectivizing agriculture.

Collectives

State-controlled farms created in the Soviet Union by merging small, private farms.

Fascism

A far-right authoritarian political ideology emphasizing nationalism and dictatorial power.

Adolf Hitler

The dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, leading to WWII and the Holocaust.

Post-WWI Nationalism

Resurgence of national pride in countries after World War I, often leading to militaristic policies.

Aryan Race

A term used by Nazis to describe a supposed superior, racially pure group.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people.

Mein Kampf

A book by Hitler outlining his political ideas and vision for Germany.

Nazi

A member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party led by Hitler.

Hitler Youth

A paramilitary organization for boys aimed at indoctrinating youth with Nazi ideology.

Hyperinflation

An extremely high inflation rate leading to currency collapse.

Benito Mussolini

The dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943, founding the fascist regime.

March on Rome

A 1922 event where Mussolini marched to the capital, leading to his appointment as prime minister.

Fasci di Combattimento

Political organization founded by Mussolini that became the core of the National Fascist Party.

Corporate State

An economic system where the state controls industries through corporations.

Cult of Personality

When a political leader uses propaganda to create an idealized image of themselves.

Changes in European borders after WWI

The Treaty of Versailles redrew borders, creating new nations and dismantling empires.

U.S. role in post-WWI Europe

The U.S. emerged as a world power but opted for isolationism, weakening international cooperation.

Political and economic climate in Europe after WWI

Characterized by economic struggles, high inflation, and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

Significance of inflation and unemployment in Europe after WWI

Contributed to political instability and the appeal of radical ideologies.

Weimar Republic

The democratic government of Germany from 1919 to 1933, weakened by economic issues and the Treaty.

Rise of fascist/socialist totalitarian governments

Caused by political and economic instability after WWI, leading to frequent authoritarian rule.

Economic ideologies and system theories in the early 20th century

Included capitalism, socialism, communism, and fascism, competing for global influence.

Role of secret police in totalitarian regimes

Used to suppress opposition and instill fear through surveillance and arrests.

How totalitarian governments eliminate opposition

Through censorship, imprisonment, propaganda, and executions.

Role of propaganda in totalitarian regimes

Used to control public perception and ensure loyalty to the regime.

How censorship functioned in totalitarian regimes

Controlled information flow, suppressing dissenting views.

Tactics to stay in power by totalitarian leaders

Utilized fear, propaganda, secret police, and elimination of opposition.

Leninism

A form of Marxism emphasizing a vanguard party to lead the working class.

Communism

An economic system advocating for state ownership of production and a classless society.