Treaty of Versailles, the Rise of Nazism, and Worldwide Depression

Home , Aftermath of World War I, Causes of World War I

EUROPE – HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS SS6H3 Explain conflict and change in Europe.

a. Describe the aftermath of World War I: the rise of communism, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazism, and worldwide depression.

NOTES: World War I—The spark was the assassination of 2 Alliances in WWI - Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was a Prince and lead- Triple Alliance-Germany, Italy, Austria -Hungary er in Austria-Hungary. Triple Entente—France, Great Britain, Russia 4 M.A.I.N Causes of World War I - Germany, who had built up arms for 20+ years, 1. Militarism—building up of military/arms was tired of being sandwiched in the middle of 2. Alliances—2 or more countries joining sides Europe. After the spark of the assassination, they quickly made an alliance with Austria- 3. Imperialism-countries trying to extend their em- Hungary and were ready to use the weapons pires by seizing other territories, for Gold, God and they had built up to expand German territory. Glory. Other countries began taking sides and making 4. Nationalism—devotion to one’s country; could be alliances, and suddenly Europe was at war. positive (patriotism), or negative (greedy and de- structive; anti other countries)

Post World War I- TREATY OF VERSAILLES- Peace treaty signed by Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Russia and made Germany take responsibility for WWI. Germany was primarily blamed for World War I. If they had stayed out of the war between Austria- Hungary and Serbia/Russia, the war would not have escalated to a “world” war. GREAT DEPRESSION—worldwide depression Conditions of the Treaty- Began with the Stock Market Crash in 1929 in the 1. Took land from Germany. United States. Europe was still recovering from the destruction of WWI. 2. Made Germany pay reparations. Europe began to feel the effects of the Great 3. Germany’s military was reduced to half the Depression around 1932 due to: size it was.  Tariffs (taxes) placed on Europe’s imports to the US.

 US banking problems spread to other nations. Banks in Europe and the United States were linked through loans that were given. b. Explain the rise of Nazism including preexisting prejudices, the use of propaganda, and events which resulted in the Holocaust.

c. Explain how German reunification contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and led to the end of the Cold War.

COMMUNISM— economic and political system

 Run by the Communist Party. RISE OF NAZISM- Nazi Party was a small, fascist, German political party.  Russia became Communist after the Russian Revolution. Became the Soviet Union.  The Nazis and Hitler rose to power because the Ger- mans were angered by the punishments they re-  Promise to share wealth among all workers; provided ceived from the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler promised to economic security. rebuild Germany’s military and regain the land that  Government makes decisions: individual’s rights are much Germany lost in the treaty. He promised the Germans less important. they would be great again. Extreme nationalism, racism against Jewish people. (anti-Semitism) FASCISM— political system that stresses national, and military strength. Focus on MILITARY strength.  The Nazi party gained strength during the Great De- pression, and eventually Hitler was elected head of  Government interests more important that individual’s rights. Germany’s government in 1933.  Fascist party controls all aspects of life.  Hitler was a dictator, and would imprison or kill any- one that opposed his views. WORLD WAR II -  Germany’s economy improved, so Germans accept- Axis Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan ed the Nazi rule and did not speak out. Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, (later) United States

Hitler was determined to build a mighty German empire across HOLOCAUST— Europe. In Sept. 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Hitler and the Nazi Party blamed the Jewish Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II had begun. Dec. 7, 1941—Japan attacks US at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. US people for Germany’s downfall, primarily in entered the war with the Allied Powers. the banking industry. He and the Nazis had

The Allied powers eventually pushed Germany back across France into extreme racism and hatred towards the Jews Germany. Soviet Union invaded Germany from the East. Germany and other groups. eventually surrendered May 1945. Japan eventually surrendered after  Hitler and the Nazi Party were responsi- the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan. ble for the mass murder of 6 million The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, Jews during WWII, and another 5 million provided over $13 billion from the United States to finance the economic recovery of Europe between 1948 and 1951. The Soviet Union people from other groups. and Communists did not like the US involvement in Western Europe. This angered the Soviet Union and was seen as another anti- communist move by the USA. COLD WAR— The Cold War was a war of opposing government and economic ideals between the Democratic United States and the Communist led Soviet Union. It was NOT a fighting, military war. It was hostility and competition between these Super Powers. Democrats believe in individual rights, power given to the people and a free market economy where individuals could own businesses and gain wealth. Communism believes economic security in the form of government owned industry, farming and shared wealth, and no private business ownership. Germany was divided at this time, East Germany was Communist. West Germany was Democratic. Symbol of Cold War—Berlin Wall was a wall built between Communist East Berlin and Democratic West Berlin. Built to keep East Berlin citizens from escaping to free- dom in West Berlin. German began reunification in 1990s which contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.