Political and Economic factors which existed after The Treaty of Versailles
Political
Economic
Countries discontent with a demanded a revision of The Treaty of Versailles
Britain, the United States, and Germany believed the treaty was too harsh. France believed that the treaty wasn’t harsh enough.
Factors which pulled Europe into the Great Depression
French Occupation of the Ruhr
The Lausanne Conference
Causes and effects of the lack of production and distribution of commodities in the interwar years
Causes
Effects
- Widespread unemployment
British Response to the Great Depression
King George V and PM Ramsey McDonald. The Labour Party becomes the National Government (1931).
French Response to the Great Depression
The Popular Front (1938): The majority is very liberal and reform-minded. A 40-hour work week is mandated and a 2-week paid vacation is established for all employees.
Irish Independence
1922
Irish Independence
1922
Significance of the USSR in post World War 1 Europe
Single most important political development post-WW1. This was a Communist experiment that was designed to cross international borders as the “dictatorship of the proletariate.”
Causes and Effects of War Communism
Causes
Effects
The NEP (New Economic Policy)
Facts about the Third International
AKA The Comintern. This organization established the Russian Soviet model as the true model of Marxism and Communism in order to standardize the cause internationally. Established Russia as the leader of Communism.
Facts about the power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin
Lenin’s death creates a power vacuum to be filled by Trotsky (led the Bolsheviks into victory during the civil war) and Stalin (secretary of state). Trotsky is a pure Marxist, advocating for an international Communist revolution, rapid industrialization and consolidation of farms. Stalin puts up a more moderate front. Stalin wins.
Facts about the 5 Year Plans
AKA the Gosplan. Established 1928-1991. A series of five-year plans that set goals for all production in order to rapidly industrialize. Emphasized capital goods over consumer goods.
Results:
Facts about Collectivization of Agriculture
Stalin’s Purges
Sparked in 1934 with the assassination of a Communist leader. Stalin used this event as an excuse to rid of any threats to his regime, such as peasants resisting collectivization, urban workers, clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Communist party members with growing power. Sent to labor camps called gulags.
Facts and Characteristics about Fascism
“Strength with unity.” Right-wring, anti-Socialist, anti-Democratic, anti-Semitic, favored single-party rule, favored middle class, very nationalistic.
Leaders:
March on Rome
Oct. 22-29, 1922. Blackshirts gain support. This causes Victor Emmanuel III’s prime minister to withdraw out of fear, so the king invites Mussolini to take his place.
The Lateran Accord of 1929
Compromise between the Italian State and the Catholic Church which recognized the Pope as the spiritual head of the Church and the temporal leader of the Vatican City, excused Church from property taxes and established Catholicism as Italy’s official religion
Fascist Economics
Corporatism – a mix between Socialist and lasseiz-faire economics: a planned economy that allowed some private ownership of capital regulated by the government. Created 22 centralized corporations that specialized in a specific industry (agriculture, mining, transportation, manufacturing, etc.)
The Role of Women in Fascist Italy
Seen as mothers raiding the new generation of Fascists. Because of the government’s support for large families, women were taken out of the workforce for the most part and contraception and abortion were banned.
Economic Pressures in Eastern Europe following WW1