Inter-war Period Notes

Europe in 1918:
- Europe was at peace after World War I.
- Empires collapsed, leading to the formation of new nation-states.
- New nation-states included Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Estonia.
Europe in 1918: Impact on Nation-States
- Consideration of how nation-states that lost territory and the people within those nation-states were affected by these changes.
Europe in 1918: Military Deaths by Country
- Triple Entente:
  - Italy: $651,000$
  - Britain: $887,858$
  - France: $1,397,800$
  - Russia: $2,254,369$
  - Total: ~ $5.19$ million dead
- Triple Alliance:
  - Germany: $2,037,000$
  - Austria-Hungary: $1,494,200$
  - Total: ~ $3.5$ million dead
- Canada: $61,000$
- Civilian Deaths: ~ $10$ million
USA President Wilson outlines a 14 point plan to guide peace negotiations and end the potential of future world wars.

In January 1918, President Wilson addressed the US Congress, presenting his vision for long-term peace in Europe.
Centered on 3 Key Themes:
- Self-Determination:
  - A nation’s ability to act independently.
- Diplomacy:
  - Nations working openly and peacefully together.
- Collective Security:
  - Countries cooperate to strengthen each other's security.

Winning parties had differing objectives: some sought peace, while others desired revenge.
Culminated in the Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles.
Occurred at Versailles, France, in 1919.
Primary purpose: to sign a peace treaty and officially end World War I.
Served to alienate various countries.

End of World War I: Treaty of Versailles
David Lloyd George (Great Britain), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), Georges Clemenceau (France), Woodrow Wilson (United States).
The treaty was created by The Big Four countries, with Germany having no input during negotiations.
Held Germany responsible for starting the war.
Imposed harsh penalties on the Germans, reflecting the desire to punish Germany.
France chose to pursue its own national interests rather than international interests.

Reduction of Military Forces:
- Army and Navy reduced.
- Germany was forbidden to have an Air Force.
- Union (Anschluss) with Austria was outlawed.
Loss of Territory:
- Germany lost all of its colonies around the world in addition to territory at home.
- Colonies were given either independence or transferred to Britain/France.
Demilitarization:
- The Rhineland was to be demilitarized (a strip of land inside Germany bordering France, Belgium, and the Netherlands).
- No German troops were to be stationed inside that area or any fortifications built.
- The Mandate System can be defined as an internationally sanctioned method of colonialism. It granted control over former German and Ottoman territories to members of the League of Nations.
War Guilt:
- Germany had to sign Article 231 – The War Guilt Clause, stating that Germany was responsible for starting World War I.
Reparations:
- Germany was ordered to pay $33$ Billion in reparations for death and damages (equivalent to ~$573,856 Billion today), which was finally paid off in 2010.

Germans thought the Treaty was a “diktat”: a dictated peace.
- They had not been invited to the peace conference, and when the Treaty was presented to them, they were threatened with war if they did not sign it.
The Treaty was NOT based on Wilson’s Fourteen Points, as the Germans had been promised it would be.
Most Germans believed that the War Guilt Clause was unjustified.
- The French and British had done just as much to start the war.
The loss of territory and population angered most Germans, who believed that the losses were too severe.

“The formation of a League of Nations is crucial to guarantee independence for all countries, both large and small.” - Woodrow Wilson - on the formation of the League of Nations
The League of Nations was established as a result of the Treaty of Versailles (Based of the 14 Point Peace Plan)
Prevent Future Wars
End Conflicts Peacefully
Other goals of the League of Nations:
- Worker rights around the world
- Eradication of slavery
- Dealing with health issues (Malaria, Smallpox, Influenza)
Notable nation-states not in the League:
- USA
- USSR
- Germany

Japan is struggling in the years after WW1.
- Island nation-state
- Limited arable land. No longer self-sufficient.
- Dense population
In 1929, the stock market crash plummets global markets into the Great Depression.
- Japan’s economic situation worsens.
- Jobs are lost, and prices for goods are rising.
Japan invades Manchuria in 1931
- Manchuria was a Chinese province
- Japan’s goals were to:
  - Obtain raw materials
  - Develop new markets for Japanese goods

Rise of Benito Mussolini - wanted to make a new Roman Empire
- Wanted to expand colonial territory
- Invades Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) in 1935
Fascism in Italy
- Fascism - political system where one leader has complete control
- Needs of nation superior to that of any individual
Italy wanted to expand colonial territory in Africa.
- Desire to unify the colonies in the 1930’s.
- Invades in 1935.
The Abyssinians were no match for the Italians in 1935.
Abyssinia appealed to the League of Nations for help.
The League condemned Italy’s actions.
However, the League provided no military assistance.
The takeover was allowed to happen with little consequence