Fifth lesson

Question 1

Keynesianism

Answer 1

Economic theory: direct action of institutions in economic matters through the increase of public spending (public works and reduction of taxes) for the general decrease of inflation and unemployment.
The opposite of what normally countries would do: states would stop spending and increase taxes to balance the budget

Question 2

The wall street crash (consequences and date)

Answer 2

October 1929
Europe had received fundings from the US after WW1, especially Germany– suddenly money stop arriving in Europe and the economy decayed

Question 3

Overproduction crisis

Answer 3

The american consumer is born in a consumerist society and buys things one after another– their aquisition potential suddenly falls as they cannot afford materials anymore

Question 4

The great depression

Answer 4

1929-39
Devaluation of currencies, failure of banks and businesses, extremely high rates of unemployment

Question 5

The new deal

Answer 5

Economic reform by Roosevelt in order to counter the great depression through the intervention of federal institutions in the national economy
1933: agricultural adjustment act
1933: national industrial recovery
1933: Tennessee valley authority– public works as source of employment
1935: wagner act– recognition of the workers’ rights to demonstrate, strike and join trade unions

Question 6

Weimar Republik

Answer 6

New constitution: federal republic of 17 regions, the government is formed by the Reichstag, a chancellor and a president
The president was the most relevant figure in the republic and in case of emergency status he could take total control and ignore the constitution
1920: foundation of the NSDAP= national socialist german workers’ party by Hitler– mainl addresses to the poor and starts gaining increasing popularity
1923: failed nazi putsch in Munich– Hitler is arrested and while in prison writes Mein Kampf

Question 7

Stresemann role

Answer 7

Helped Germany restablishing its figure:
- 1924: dawes plan= financial support for decreasing german hyperinflation
- 1925: Locarno treaty– agreements to solve the Rhine crisis and pay the indemnity in installments

Question 8

Mein Kampf’s main points

Answer 8

• Lebensraum and Bolshevism: Bolshevism is an ill that shall be eradicated; the German folk is too great to live in such little space– ti shall expand, grow in number and be unified. For the latters Germany looked at eastern Europe. In addittion the battle against the URSS
• eugenics: the German race shall be purified through the sterilization if not extermination of those with disabilities both mental and physical. Women were expected to bear children for the sake of the nation
• german mission: German folk is the true heir of the roman empire and shall conquer in order to civilize