I.
Post-War
German politics
A.
Treaty
of Versailles refresher course
B.
France
wants… (punishment of Germany)
C.
Britain
felt… (German economy back up to speed so they can do business again)
D.
Keynes’ (economist)
theory – hurting Germany economically would hurt all nations
E.
British
suspicious of French army; French seek alliances with E. Europe b/c they’re
suspicious of Germany
F.
War
reparations sum à
$33 billion
G.
Weimar
Republic (Germany) pays SOME then announces that it can’t pay anymore; offered
3 year hiatus then re-evaluation of paying ability; Brits say OK
H.
French
say HECK NO! French move into Ruhr
Valley
·
Effect
on Germany – patriotism, collective shut-down, rapid inflation, leanings toward
radicalism, blame spewed to any possible scapegoat (West, German government,
Jews, workers, communists)
I.
New
leader in Gustav Streseman
– 1923 – becomes more conciliatory; offers to pay but asks to be re-evaluated,
France says OK
J.
France/Germany
agree to work together; British/US on the bandwagon
II.
Foreign
Affairs
A.
Dawes Plan – how can Germany
pay? US $ to Germany, Germany pays
France/Britain, they pay US
B.
Locarno Agreement – France/Germany
agreed to border, Britain/Italy agreed to fight anyone who hedged on that
border
C.
Kellog-Briand Pact – 1926 – effectively, it outlawed war
(yeah, right)
III.
Democracy
A.
Early
German rumblings (Hitler’s beer hall escapade), Mein Kampf
B. Weimar Republic
1.
economy
stabilized; new $
2.
dissidents
existed, however – nationalists, monarchists, communists, Social Democrats
(large group hated by communists)
C.
France
1.
Similar
variety of groups – communists, socialists, moderates
2.
rebuilding
saw deficit spending/inflation; eventually inflation stabilized
3.
France
center of hip culture; writers flock there
D.
Britain
1.
12%
unemployment through the 20s (that’s high!)
2.
rise
of the Labour Party – essentially socialist/welfare
state oriented
3.
Britain
largely stable during the 20s
IV.
Great
Depression
A.
Those
silly Americans buy stock like nuts
B.
Nations
respond in a “me-first” manner…
1.
go
off gold standard
2.
raise
tariffs
3.
reduce
spending (Keynes cries for “pump priming” and “deficit spending”)
C.
Unemployment
rate – (Britain 12à18%;
US 5à25% or 33%)
D.
Psychological
effects – marriages, divorces, suicide, births, “hungry men…”
E.
Responses
1.
US
New Deal where the government gets very active in society and economy
2.
Scandinavia
– Sweden successful with large socialist programs/deficits
3.
Britain
– Labour Party; national market focus; N/S
distinction
4.
France
– Depression hit slowly, Fascist/Communist currents in coalition government; Popular Front started with communists,
socialists, radicals; Popular Front
killed by rapid inflation, fascists, conservatives who fled
5.
Spain
– civil war there is a prelude to WWII (a mini WWII)