after WW1 Flashcards
international situation after WW1 in different countries—britain and france
overall:
1. postwar problems + economic crisis in 1920s
2. international situation a changed drastically
3. countries started expansions
4. intensifying threats of another world war
—weakened
- faced with post-war economic and social problems
- suffered serious losses
-reconstruction slow
-> unable and unwilling to intervene with european affairs
Paris Peace Conference(1919)—background
- held by victorious countries to discuss peace terms
- defeated not invited and not consulted about peace terms
- they had to sign separate treaties from 1919-1920 and were punished(germany most punished)
Settlements of Paris Peace Conference
- treaty of versailles
- forced germany to disarm, cede some land, accept war-guilt clause, bear full responsibility for causing war - achieving national self-determination
- defeated countries cede territories to eastern europe to from new independent nation-states
e.g. hungary, czechoslovakia
dangers: these nation-states are weak, some other people still live there—easily become targets of expansion
e.g. millions of germans live in sudentenland in czechoslovakia—became easy excuse for german expansion - collective security
- countries pledge to solve disputes through peace talks, arbitration instead of waging war
- when a country is being attacked, other countries join together to stop aggression
- also signed international conventions, held disarmament conferences in interwar to prevent conflicts
wilson’ proposal of an international peacekeeping body was adopted in 1920–league of nations
—>aimed to maintain peace through collective security
Economic Problems in the inter-war—1. economic downturn
- unemployment rate rose
-> economic statgnation
-> many demobilized soldiers - production facilities and infrastructure damaged
->due to shortage of resources
->resulting in famine, inflation - european countries failed to cooperate to solve crisis
->restricted foreign trade to protect own industry
->foreign trade in asia adversely affected (e.g. japan)
-> britain, france, germany relied on US loans to stimulate economy
—sowed seed for totalitarianism in some countries
Economic Problems in inter war—2. The Great Depression—war street cash(cause)
1919-1929–US economy was booming
-> industrialists borrowed lots of money from banks
->invested heavily in stock marker
->ppl also speculated actively
->share prices rise
1929 oct—> massive sell-off of stocks
->sharp drop in stock prices
->stock market crashed
->investors lose money
->100,000 companies closed down-> unemployment rose to 13 million->people bankrupt
—->great depression
Economic Problems in inter-war—great depression impacts on US
- weakened determination and ability of countries to maintain peace (weakened national security)
- fueled rise of totalitarianism
US:
1. became self-isolated—focused on rebuilding its economy
2. passed several neutrality acts to prevent involving in international conflicts
rise of totaliritarianism
an ideology/political system
in a totalitarianism state, ruler holds total authority over the state and controls all aspects of public and private life
reasons for totalitarianism
- people’s faith in democracy weakened
->political and social instability in european countries - german and italians long for strong leader
->rise of fascism, nazism - japan’s party government weakened
-> militarists took over government in 1930s
international situation after ww1–germany
- germany
- defeated and forced to sign the harsh Treaty of Versailles
- they were angry
- they thought it was unfair to bear the war-guilt clause
- disatisfied with Weimar Government and wanted to take revenge and overthrow the treaty
international situation after ww1–italy
- in paris peace conference—failed to get back promised lands by allied powers
- people accused government of incompetence to protect national interests
- felt betrayed by their allies
- government loss support and people longed for strong leader to rebuild national glory
international situation after ww1–japan
- signed secret treaty with britain, france, USA
- to ensure its interests in Asia weren’t threatened
- after ww1, japan’s rapid expansion to china/pacific regions shocked USA
the “Big Three” and their aims
Wilson(american president)—maintain world peace
1. proposed fourteen points as basis for peace settlement
2. OPPOSED punishing germany harshly to not deepen enmity between powers
Clemenceau(french prime minister)—WEAKEN germany permanently
1. get back french land they got from france-prussian war
2. impose harsh punishments
Lloyd Geore(british prime minister)—maintain balance of powers
1. did not want to punish germany too much
2. wanted to take over german colonies
3. maintain british naval supremacy
spread of great depression
- US was a major creditor, financier of europe
->demanded repayment of loans to save own economy - imposed taxes and quotas on imported goods
-> protect domestic production - US’ demand for foreign goods decreased—>japan and europe factories closed down
this hit europe’s economy badly, unemployment rose
great depression impact on britain, france
britain and france:
1. heavily relied on US loans—social, economic problems worsened
2. reluctant to use force to solve international disputes
->aggressors took advantage
great depression impact on germany, japan
germany:
1. caused economic slump
2. started to support hitler and his nazi party
japan:
1. increased unemployment rate
2. militarists suggested to use territorial expansion to solve economic problems
3. people supported—became popular
