Interwar Years Study Notes
Interwar Years Overview
- Post-WWI Impact: War led to disillusionment in Europe, marked by loss and economic collapse.
- Government Intervention: Increased government involvement in economies; rise of liberalism in the U.S. vs. radical right in Germany, Italy, Japan.
- Colonial Hope: Colonized nations saw opportunities for independence amidst weakened European powers.
The Great Depression
- Economic Causes: Agricultural overproduction and US stock market crash in 1929 triggered global downturn.
- Germany's Struggles: Hyperinflation due to reparations payments; mass unemployment.
- Keynesian Economics: John Maynard Keynes advocated government deficit spending for recovery.
Political Shifts and Fascism
- Fascism's Rise: Characterized by extreme nationalism, militarism, and suppression of dissent (e.g., Mussolini in Italy).
- Nazism: Adolf Hitler's regime thrived on nationalism and anti-Semitism, employing propaganda effectively.
Social and Economic Policies in the USSR
- Stalin's Rule: Abandoned NEP for Five-Year Plans; collectivization led to starvation and purges of dissenters.
Independence Movements in Asia and Africa
- China: Mao Zedong led Communist Party; civil war against nationalists, united against Japanese invasion.
- India: Gandhi promoted nonviolent resistance; independence movement largely grew after the Amritsar massacre.
- Africa: Discontent grew post-WWI; negritude and anti-colonial sentiments spurred movements for independence.
US Intervention in Latin America
- Neocolonial Control: US economic interests often dictated foreign policy; intervention justified by the Monroe Doctrine.
- Cultural Resistance: Figures like Diego Rivera expressed opposition to imperialism through art.
Cultural Movements
- Artistic Innovation: Movements like cubism and surrealism arose from war's trauma, exploring new perspectives.
- Literature: Stream-of-consciousness in literature gained popularity, reflecting deeper psychological complexity.