Inter-war domestic developments in European states (1918–1939) Flashcards
What was the Dawes Plan?
$200m in loans to help recover the German economy.
What was the Young Plan?
Reduced reparations to be paid to $121bn and floated another loan totalling $300m.
What was the economic situation of German industry by 1927?
Industry recovered to pre-war levels but was still significantly behind other European countries.
What was the state of German agriculture by 1928?
It never recovered to pre-war levels, and half of all farmers were selling at a loss due to falling grain prices.
What was the unemployment rate in Weimar Germany by 1929?
1.9 million people were unemployed.
What impact did the Great Depression have on Weimar Germany?
It undid the good work of Stresemann and led to the downfall of the Weimar Republic.
Who was elected in 1925 and what was his political stance?
Hindenburg was elected and was ultra-conservative, wanting a return to the monarchy.
What was the significance of the May 1928 elections?
70% of the vote went to pro-democracy parties, indicating some political stability.
What was the Locarno Pact?
Stresemann accepted Germany’s Western borders, assuring European security and better relations with France.
What was Germany’s status in the League of Nations in 1926?
Germany was accepted as a member and became a permanent member with the right to veto.
What was the Treaty of Berlin (1926)?
It improved relations with the USSR and facilitated further economic and military exchanges.
What was the social atmosphere in Weimar Germany?
There was a cultural shift with experimental media, expressionism, and a greater sexualisation of women.
What was the impact of the ‘stab in the back’ myth?
It challenged the narrative of Germany’s defeat in WWI and was addressed in literature like ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’.
What was Mussolini’s aim regarding the Italian economy?
To achieve autarky to prepare for war.
What was the outcome of the Battle for the Lira?
Initially successful in reducing inflation, but ultimately led to a decline in the standard of living.
What was the Lateran Treaty (1929)?
It recognized the Vatican as an official state and improved relations between Mussolini and the Catholic Church.
What was Mussolini’s policy towards women?
He aimed to reinforce traditional roles and increase the birth rate, but largely failed to achieve his goals.
What was the significance of the Ebert-Groener deal?
It consolidated support for the Weimar government in exchange for military backing.
What did conservatives vote for during the Weimar government?
Conservatives seemed to be voting for more right wing parties, always opposing the liberalism of the Weimar government.
Who led the Weimar government from 1929-1926?
The Weimar government was led by Ebert and Stresemann.
What was the significance of the Ebert-Groener deal?
The Ebert-Groener deal was significant for consolidating the Weimar government by securing military support against leftist uprisings.
What did Ebert promise in exchange for military support?
Ebert promised to take swift action against any leftist uprisings.
How did Ebert use Article 48?
Ebert used Article 48 to suspend civil liberties and bypass the Reichstag, allowing him to act swiftly during crises.
What crisis did Stresemann’s policies help to address?
Stresemann’s policies helped Germany recover from the hyperinflation crisis between 1920-1923.
What caused the hyperinflation crisis in Germany?
The hyperinflation crisis was caused by the French occupation of the Ruhr and the government’s decision to print more money to pay striking workers.
What was the Retenmark?
The Retenmark was introduced by Hjamlar Schat to help stabilize the German economy during the recovery.
What was the Spartacist Uprising?
The Spartacist Uprising in 1919 was a leftist attempt to overthrow the democratic government, led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
How did Ebert respond to the Spartacist Uprising?
Ebert called on the Freikorps to suppress the uprising, which resulted in over 100 deaths.
What was the Kapp Putsch?
The Kapp Putsch in 1920 was an attempted coup against the Weimar government by right-wing forces.
What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch?
The Munich Putsch in 1923, led by Hitler and Ludendorff, failed due to lack of planning and was quickly crushed.
What was a key factor in the failure of extremist uprisings against the Weimar government?
The lack of sufficient numbers and leadership among extremist groups contributed to their failure.
What foreign intervention helped Franco during the Spanish Civil War?
Germany provided 52 planes during the Spanish airlift from Morocco in 1936.
What was the impact of Italian forces in the Spanish Civil War?
78,000 Italians were sent to fight, with their presence helping the Nationalists gain vital territory despite losing the battle of Guadalajara.
What role did the USSR play in the Spanish Civil War?
The USSR was the only country providing significant support to the Republicans, including military strategists and tanks.
What was the political situation in Spain leading up to the Civil War?
Political turmoil included the rise and fall of various governments, leading to a divided society and increased tensions.
How did economic conditions contribute to the Spanish Civil War?
Spain’s economic struggles, particularly in the agricultural south, led to widespread poverty and discontent among the populace.
What was the role of the Catholic Church in Spanish society during the lead-up to the Civil War?
The Catholic Church held significant power and opposed reforms that threatened its influence, creating societal divides.
What was the significance of the Acerbo Laws in Italy?
The Acerbo Laws allowed any party winning at least 25% of the vote to receive two-thirds of the seats, facilitating Mussolini’s rise to power.
What were the economic conditions in Italy that contributed to Mussolini’s rise?
Italy faced high unemployment, inflation, and social unrest, leading many to seek Mussolini’s promises of stability and job creation.
What was a consequence of swift policy making in Italy?
The ruling party had a disproportionate number of seats compared to the votes they received.
What economic issues did Italy face?
High levels of unemployment, inflation, and social unrest.
How was the liberal government perceived in addressing economic problems?
It was seen as ineffective, leading many Italians to reject the democratic process.
What did Mussolini promise to restore economic stability?
He promised industrialization and public works projects.
What additional promises did Mussolini make?
A crackdown on bureaucracy and corruption.
What was the industrial situation in northern Italy in the 1900s?
The north was home to around 60% of the country’s industry and generated 80% of its exports.
What was the economic condition of southern Italy?
The south was impoverished and had high levels of illiteracy.
How did Mussolini plan to address the issues in southern Italy?
Through the centralization of decision making.
What was the role of Blackshirt violence in Mussolini’s rise to power?
It involved intimidation tactics and attacking opposition party leaders to silence dissent.
How did Blackshirt violence affect public perception?
It created a sense of fear within the public, aiding their rise to power.
What was significant about the 1924 election for the fascists?
They coerced many into voting for them to gain a majority.
What was Mussolini’s approach to public speaking?
He was a charismatic speaker who used dramatic gestures to appeal to the public.
What media did Mussolini use to spread his message?
He used newspaper articles like Il Popolo d’Italia, posters, and pamphlets.
