Detailed Notes on Europe Between the Wars

The Effects of Inflation

• Post-WWI Inflation in Germany:

  • Inflation began at the end of World War I and intensified with the French occupation of the Ruhr.

  • By early 1920s, the value of the German mark plummeted, leading to children using worthless money as building blocks.

The Hopeful Years (1924-1929)

• Government Changes:

  • New governments in Great Britain and France initiated conciliatory approaches to Germany and reparations.

• Gustav Stresemann's Leadership:

  • Ended the policy of passive resistance in Germany, aimed to comply with the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Introduced Rentenmark to stabilize the currency, replacing 3 trillion old marks.

• Dawes Plan (1924):

  • Created by an international commission, reduced reparations and aligned payments with Germany’s economic capacity.

  • $200 million initial loan for recovery, leading to significant U.S. investments.

• Diplomatic Efforts:

  • Treaty of Locarno (1925):

  • Germany, France, and Belgium secured western borders; eastern borders with Poland lacked permanence.

  • Seen as a new era of peace; major newspapers celebrated this sentiment.

  • League of Nations:

  • Germany joined in March 1926, promoting international cooperation.

  • Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): 63 nations pledged to renounce war, but lacked enforcement mechanisms.

• Limitations of the Locarno Spirit:

  • Germany did not possess the military strength to change borders; disarmament efforts were unsuccessful, revealing superficial peace.

Coexistence with Soviet Russia

• Post-1924 Relations:

  • Western nations recognized Soviet power as revolutionary hopes faded.

  • Diplomatic relations established with Germany, Britain, France, and Italy.

  • However, suspicion toward Soviet intentions remained high.

The Great Depression

• Fragile Post-War Prosperity:

  • Economic reliance on American loans, weak trade networks due to protectionism, and reparations damaged stability.

• Causes of the Depression:

  • Economic downturns and the 1929 stock market crash sparked financial crises.

  • Rapid decline in agricultural prices due to overproduction.

• Impact on Unemployment:

  • Unemployment soared to 40% in Germany and 25% in Britain; social instability increased.

• Social Impacts:

  • Traditional gender roles were disrupted as women found employment while males faced rising unemployment.

  • Unemployment rates led to popularity of radical political movements, including fascism.

The Democratic States after WWI

• Changes in Political Landscape:

  • Post-WWI, some states had functioning democracies, but faced challenges from economic crises and social movements.

• Economic Conditions in Britain:

  • After war-induced losses, Britain saw high unemployment and instability; a shift from Liberal to Labour Party dominance.

  • Attempted reforms met with limited success as the nation struggled through the Great Depression.

Political Turmoil in France**:

• Poincaré Government (1924-1926) and Cartel of the Left (1924-1926):

  • Struggled with economic issues and failed to stabilize finances.

  • Rising political chaos and the emergence of the Popular Front in 1936 aimed to curb the recession through worker reforms.

Scandinavian Response to the Depression

• Successful Policies:

  • Social Democratic governments in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway utilized cooperatives and expanded social services, mitigating the depression's impact.

The United States Response to the Depression

• Roosevelt’s New Deal:

  • Aimed to remedy economic issues through public works and social legislation; faced criticism for not fully resolving unemployment.

Impact of Colonial Empires Post-WWI

• Rising Nationalism:

  • Colonial rule faced increased unrest due to wartime contributions and unmet expectations for autonomy.

• Settlements in the Middle East:

  • New nations emerged post-Ottoman Empire, while British and French mandates persisted.

• Indian Influence and the Rise of Gandhi:

  • Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance organized against British rule, demanding self-governance.

• Movements in Africa:

  • Growing political awareness and labor movements emerged, leading to calls for independence amidst colonial oppression.

Rise of Authoritarian Regimes

• Shift from Democracy:

  • By 1939, fascist regimes in Italy and Germany, alongside a totalitarian state in the USSR, indicated a retreat from democratic ideals established post-WWI.

Great depression

recovery after WWI

Great Britain:

• Faced high unemployment and instability after the war.

• Shift from Liberal to Labour Party dominance; attempted reforms had limited success especially during the Great Depression.

France:

• Struggled with economic issues under the Poincaré Government (1924-1926) and the Cartel of the Left (1924-1926);

• Economic chaos led to the emergence of the Popular Front in 1936 focused on worker reforms.

Scandinavian States:

• Successful policy responses led by Social Democratic governments in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

• Utilized cooperatives and expanded social services to mitigate the depression's impact.

United States:

• Implemented Roosevelt’s New Deal aimed at remedying economic issues through public works and social legislation.

• Faced criticism for not fully resolving unemployment but introduced significant reform measures.

Middle East:

• Rising nationalism challenged colonial rule due to unmet expectations for autonomy following wartime contributions.

• Emergence of new nations post-Ottoman Empire with British and French mandates continuing.

India:

• Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance organized against British rule, demanding self-governance and significant political engagement in the independence movement.

Africa:

• Increased political awareness and emerging labor movements;

• Growing calls for independence arose in response to colonial oppression and rising nationalistic sentiments.