SHS-APWH Ch. 34

Age of Anxiety (1919-1939)

  • Period Overview: Years between World War I and World War II.

  • Primary Goal: Preserve peace to prevent future wars.

  • Key Events:

    • Paris Peace Conference (1919): Established the Treaty of Versailles.

    • Treaty of Versailles: Major clauses intended to secure peace, but historians argue it sowed seeds for WWII.

Important Aspects of the Age of Anxiety

  1. Treaty of Versailles: Mixed record of successes and failures.

  2. Lost Generation: Characterized by widespread pessimism and disillusionment.

  3. Rise of Totalitarian Governments: Reaction to social and economic turmoil.

  4. Impact of the Great Depression: Economic collapse led many to seek radical solutions.

  5. League of Nations: A noble concept with practical flaws that hindered effectiveness.

Movement Towards Peace

  • League of Nations: Founded as part of Wilson's 14 Points.

    • Location: Geneva, Switzerland.

    • Purpose: Mediation of international disputes.

  • Locarno Agreement (1925): Peace treaties and border security in Europe.

  • Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): International agreement to renounce war as a tool for conflict resolution.

    • Signatories: Major powers including the U.S., Britain, France, Japan, Italy, and Germany; many later disregarded it.

Economic Climate of the 1920s

  • U.S. Economic Power: Europe reliant on American loans for reconstruction.

  • Stock Market Investments: Heavy reliance on margin buying led to vulnerabilities.

The Great Depression (October 1929)

  • Stock Market Crash: By 1932, stocks worth only 20% of their original value.

  • Global Impact:

    1. U.S. demanded repayment of loans from Europe.

    2. Heavy tariffs on imports reduced international trade.

    3. Economic despair led to demand for new leadership and ideologies.

Rise of Totalitarianism

  • Factors:

    1. Frustration from WWI losses.

    2. Economic instability due to war and the Depression.

    3. Weakness of the League of Nations led to the allure of totalitarian regimes.

  • Notable Leaders: Benito Mussolini (Italy), Adolf Hitler (Germany), Joseph Stalin (USSR).

Totalitarianism Defined

  • Characteristics:

    • Government controls all aspects of life, led by a dominant leader.

    • Includes fascism and communism.

Fascism

  • Authoritarian Government:

    • Emphasis on extreme nationalism.

    • Glorification of the state, rejection of individual rights.

    • Expansionist foreign policy.

  • Appeal: Promotes stability and national greatness.

Italy (1914-1922)

  • Neutral Initially: Joined WWI in 1915 under Treaty of London.

  • Post-War Struggles: Industrial strikes and social unrest marked the period.

Benito Mussolini

  • Role of Mussolini: Founded the first fascist state; active in journalism and military.

  • March on Rome (October 1922): Thousands of Black Shirts marched, leading to collaboration with King Victor Emmanuel III.

Mussolini’s Expansionist Policy

  • Aggressive Actions in the 1930s:

    • Invaded Ethiopia in 1935; successful conquest in 1936 despite League of Nations' inaction.

Germany After WWI

  • Treaty of Versailles Requirements:

    1. Accept blame for WWI.

    2. Pay significant reparations.

    3. Limit military capacity.

    4. Surrender territories.

  • Consequences: Economic hardship and national humiliation fostered resentment.

Adolf Hitler

  • Background: Failed artist, WWI corporal, joined the Nazi Party.

  • Mein Kampf: Articulated his ideological beliefs while imprisoned.

Nazi Ideology

  • Core Components:

    1. Concept of a 'Master Race' (Aryans).

    2. Blame societal problems on Jews and other 'undesirables'.

    3. Lebensraum (Living Space) policy advocating for territorial expansion.

    • Rise to Power: Nazi party became influential by 1930, Hitler appointed Chancellor in 1933.

Hitler’s Third Reich

  • Goals: Establish a totalitarian state, rebuild economy, expand militarily, and purify culture.

  • Actions Against Jews: Nuremberg Laws limited rights; Kristallnacht marked increased violence against Jews.

The Bolshevik Revolution and Stalin's Rise

  • Lenin and the Bolsheviks: Capitalized on failures of the tsarist regime and WWI.

  • Formation of USSR: Aimed for a classless society but established authoritarian rule.

  • Stalin’s Strategies: 5-year plans and collectivization aimed at rapid modernization, often leading to famine and oppression.

Stalin’s Great Purge

  • Paranoia and Repression: In response to perceived threats, many were executed or sent to gulags, estimated deaths reached 4 million.