Unit 4 Interwar Years

1. Unit 4 Interwar Years 1920s-30s

2. Age of Anxiety (1920s)- Why? • People were relieved war was over, but it had fundamentally changed their world. Economic and political stability were elusive in the 20s, cultural and social norms had shifted. Everything was different, and no one quite “gets it” yet- therefore, anxiety.

3. End of the Old Order • WWI had been catastrophic. Traditional gov’t and dynasties blown to bits. New countries, new democracies (Germany and Eastern Europe) Communism has risen, totalitarianism (under Stalin) freaking people out. • People felt the world they knew was gone, and they couldn’t control the changes. Really don’t feel “secure” again until 50s-60s.

4. Weimar Republic • New German gov’t- had signed the Versailles Treaty, doomed from the start. Social Democratic Party (Bismarck’s old enemy) in control. Germany has very little experience with Democracy, which also makes gov’t shaky. Greatest fear was that communism would rise there too.

5. Economic Issues • France is a mess- determined to get $$ from Germany. • Germany also an economic mess, and had to pay reparations + their own war debt (Kaiser had refused to raise taxes during war- had borrowed instead). Weimar Republic shaky at best- also reluctant to raise taxes (never popular) so began printing more $$- leading to runaway inflation. Savings wiped out, wheel barrels of $$ for groceries, bred resentment

6. Ruhr Crisis 1923 • Germany fell behind in reparations payments, so France seized the Ruhr Valley (which held 80% of German steel and coal)

7. Dawes Plan 1924 • International committee headed by Charles Dawes (American) determined reduced reparations payments, and offered Germany loans so they could make up the balance. • Germany got loans from US to pay Eng/Fr- that way Eng/Fr could pay back war loans from US. • System worked, promoting econ recovery until 1929

8. Political Developments • “Roaring” 20s masked problems of restoring stability and implementing democracy. • Strong anti-war spirit • People went back home to lick their wounds, new nations not given the support they needed.

9. Eastern and Central Europe • New Republics unprepared for challenges of postwar era. • Nationalism still a problem- border disputes. Poland especially messy ethnically • Germany: Gustav Stressman Chancellor. citizens quickly developed nostalgia for German Empire. Afraid of communism, so turned to the right- WAY right. Upper and middle classes had lower standard of living than before war.

10. Beer Hall Putsch • 1923 Right wing activist Adolf Hitler (head of “national socialist party” or “brown shirts”) led coup d'état against Weimar gov’t to protest the French occupation of the Ruhr valley. Coup put down, Hitler arrested and spent a year in prison (where he writes “Mein Kampf”) Light jail sentence showed sympathy from judiciary.

11. France and England • England: Ramsey McDonald 1st Prime Minister elected from the new Labour Party (replaced Liberal Party). 1924-26. 1926 there was a 9 day general strike, helped return Conservatives under Stanley Baldwin to power from 1926-29. Unemployment their largest problem. Social welfare programs (unemployment, supplemented housing, medical care) grew. Canada and Australian given full independence as thanks for contributions in war • Fewer political problems than other areas- representative gov’t were well established. But still struggled with confidence and decision making. • France: Coalition gov’ts through much of 20s (typical). Rebuilt population by making birth control illegal. Hard time physically rebuilding, most of the fighting had been done in France.

12. IRELAND • Easter Rising 1916 had put strain on England already struggling with war- they didn’t think it was funny- savage reprisal. • IRA used terrorist/guerrilla tactics against British troops (Black and Tans) • Irish leaders created an Irish Parliament (underground at first) which then negotiated a treaty in 1922 to create an Irish Free State. (England kept some territory) Tensions remained

13. CULTURAL UNCERTAINTYMASS SOCIETY • Ordinary people increasingly defined culture- and culture was created for the majority. Entertainment in groups (movies, radio) mass production of consumer goods. • Growing access to credit to buy things when you WANTED them. • Shorter working hours (Ford pioneered 8 hour day) gave people greater leisure time. Rising standard of living gave people funds to enjoy

14. Optimism/Uncertainty • 19th century Science had supplimented European’s idea of an ordered universe which they dominated. But those stable building blocks are challenged. • Einstein/relativity- nothing is certain. Max Plank/Quantum physics- the universe is constantly changing (matter/energy). Ernest Rutherford- split the atom • Before war most people believed in progress, that things would always get better with time. • But war itself had been so destructive and gruesome, it created psychological as well as physical scars. • Disillusionment- a search for meaning, with no certainty any will ever be found

15. Philosophy: Nietzsche • Criticized church, said “God is dead” and that “Christianity is a slave mentality which glorifies weakness, envy and mediocrity.” • Only the vision and creativity of a few “Supermen” (Ubermenshen) could reorder the world and save it. • Laid groundwork for postwar pessimism (though he died in 1900) Argued the Euro had over emphasized rationality since the classical world- which stifled passion and creative thinking. Foretold a dark future of decline for the West.

16. Logical Empiricism • Abstract concepts are senseless because they cannot be tested by science or math. Only experience is worth analyzing • Belief that any issues which cannot be objectively proved are not the proper domain of philosophy. Said scientific evidence cannot prove religion, freedom etc… so those are not philosophy. • Ludwig Wittgenstein- philosophy is the study of language used to express thought

17. Existentialism • Saw life as absurd, with no inherent meaning- you have to find your meaning for yourself. Most existentialist are atheists. • Jean-Paul Sartre- life has no meaning, we simply exist. Albert Camus- we find meaning by taking action against what we disagree with • Attempt to find new morality after wwi (will become even more important after wwii)

18. Sigmund Freud • 1856-1939. Later work is a reflection of postwar values, humans are greedy, irrational creatures defined by repressed desires. Our unconscious (Id) pleasure seeking (sex) tendencies battle our rationality (Ego) and social morality (super Ego)

19. Art and Literature Also impacted by search for new meaning and emphasis on subconscious

20. Surrealism • Reality beyond material world- that which is found in subconscious. Objects are familiar, but distorted, full of contradictory images to inspire imagination. Salvador Dali

21. Cubism • Created figures with complex geometry, zigzagging lines and sharply angled, overlapping planes to portray all perspectives simultaneously. Pablo Picasso

22. Dadaism • Nonsense world- signaling a world that was no longer rational. Attacked all standards of accepted art, encouraged outrageous behavior. • Marcel Duchamp: the fountain (a urinal)

23. ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM • Grew in 20s- abandoning any attempt to re-create reality. • Wassily Kandinsky- evoke emotion through non-figural images

24. Writers • Explored human irrationality. • Marcel Proust: One person’s inner thoughts “Remembrance of Things Past”. • Franz Kafka: Fantasies that convey agony. Helpless individuals destroyed by surreal forces “Metamorphosis” • James Joyce: Pioneered “stream of consciousness” “Ulysses” one day in the life of Dublin (with parallels to Homer) • Virginia Woolf: importance of female thought and emotion are underappreciated. “A Room of One’s Own”

25. Movies • Incredibly popular leisure activity- Really took off after wwi (had begun in 1890s) • Silent film era- creation of “celebrities” like Charlie Chaplin, Rudolf Valentino, Greta Garbo and Clara Bow. • “Talkies” began in 1927 with “the Jazz Singer” • Could be a powerful tool for spreading information- will be important propaganda source in 1930s.

26. RADIO • Guillermo Marconi invented in 1901. Used for military communications during wwi- entertainment began in 20s. • European radio generally run by gov’t (US private enterprise) will also become an important tool for propaganda.

27. Chapter 18: Economic Depression and WWII

28. The Great Depression • 20s often seen as a time of prosperity, but that same instability was just under the econ surface too. • Productivity was above 1914- but it was a house of cards, and when the US stock market crashed in 1929 it virtually brought down the capitalist system. • In the 1930s production shrank, trade dropped, and unemployment skyrocketed.

29. Economic Problems of the 1920s • English econ had begun to slip before war (had lost econ edge of being 1st through IR)US now financial center of the world, and prime creditor • Causes of Crisis: • Weak international econ • Overproduction • Unstable banking practices • The economies of Eng, Ger, Fr, and US all tied together through war debts. US loaned $$ to Ger so they could pay reparations, so Eng/Fr could pay war loans. But as the US econ became more fragile, they pulled out of that circle in 1928, and the downward spiral began. • France was in serious trouble, 230 Bil in damage, and had lost 1.7 mil young men- workers.

30. Agricultural Issues • European colonies economies often dependent on small # of cash crops. During 20s as prices rose colonies grew more, led to overproduction, and you can’t just stockpile it. • US and Australia had increased production during the war, and kept it up after- which drove down prices. Which meant farm families couldn’t afford to purchase manufactured goods, which led to surplus there as well. • Western econ policy included protective tariffs- which made situation worse by limiting trade. (Hawley Smoot Tariff in US)

31. Stock Market Crash Came from Speculative investment, allowed to buy stock “on the margin” with only 10% down. (works fine as long as stock prices are going up) When prices stumbled, panic set in, led to waves of selling and “crash” of prices. Banks collapsed b/c they were tied to stock investments- when banks failed savings disappeared (no fdic at this point)

32. Domino Effect US called in their loans from Eng/Fr, and cancelled promised loans to Ger/Austria- and it all starts falling apart. Lack of investment capital led to layoffs and unemployment. International financial and commercial network destroyed- trade dropped 66% and production dropped 38%

33. Undepressed Areas USSR- “Socialism in one country” they were outside the system. Their industrial capacity actually increased in the 30s through Stalin’s 5 year plans. China- not communist- but self contained and in the middle of a civil war. Japan- expanding through imperialism already

34. Political Reaction Adam Smith would have said this was part of the natural economic cycle- gov’ts should let it go. But voters weren’t willing to do that- Hoover voted out 1932 John Maynard Keynes- Proposes a new econ system: said econ needed investment to thrive, and if people can’t do it, gov’t should

35. FDR and New Deal • Represents a “reform” of capitalism. Other countries used as well- (esp. Scandinavia where it finds great success) Not full socialism, but greater involvement in econ for good of pop than had ever been seen before • Newly elected president- his solution is based on ideas of Keynes- get govt investing in econ- public works projects. (he figures companies and individuals too gun shy to take risks- the gov’t will do it for them- show confidence) • Prevented the collapse of the system with farm subsidies, banking reform, social security and jobs programs

36. Britain • Abandoned gold standard. Began balancing budgets, 1930s actually better than 1920s for England • P.M. Ramsey MacDonald responded to falling revenues by cutting unemployment and present women from collecting unemployment. High Tariffs. • Little progress before 1933 when he started to copy new deal type reforms

37. France • Political division will cause weak response to crises. • Proposed social reform like 40 hour week, vacations etc… squashed by right • Popular Front: semi-fascist group in French gov’t • Depression didn’t hit France as fast (they aren’t as industrialized) But people in France are unhappy, and they don’t trust the gov’t. Riots and tensions from right/left wing groups

38. Germany Hitler (in power by mid 30s) used big spending for rearmament to stimulate economy- had eliminated unemployment by 1937 (from 50% in 1932)

39. Stalin’s Russia Stalin in process of industrializing and collectivizing farmland. Kulaks (wealthy peasants) upset at being ordered to turn over land (which had been given to them by Lenin) so they slaughtered animals and burned crops rather than give them up. Led to Stalin’s 1st big set of purges- and in punishment, Stalin limited food production, and millions starved

40. Rise of Fascism People in the 1920s were worried about far left (communism) didn’t notice that there was a radical alternative just as scary on the right- Fascism

41. What is it? • One party rule in a totalitarian state with secret police to terrorize population. Extreme nationalism- subordinate your will to the glory of the state. Leaders promised security and strength, and the price was your freedom. • Hated communism – their “mortal enemy” (funny, they have a lot in common at this point)

42. Totalitarianism • A gov’t on the extreme right or left, (Hitler or Stalin, either will do) where all aspects of life are controlled by the state • Six main features • Dynamic leader - Propaganda • Indoctrination - terror • Persecution - Censorship

43. Conservative Authoritarianism vs. Totalitarianism • Creating a new social order. Leader wants control- expects others to actively support regime • Absolutism- mostly worried about preserving the social order. Leader had little interest in actual governing- just wanted power

44. Italy: Benito Mussolini • Manufactured crisis to gain dictatorship. Promised an end to troubles and return to glory. (ancient roman empire) • Combination of socialism and nationalism- territorial expansion, benefits for workers. • Invented the word “Fascism” (from Faces, roman symbol of strength) • Took control of Italy in 1922 (Il Duce- the leader) Used modern communications and propaganda to spell bind Italy- an idea that spread. • Appealed to people who were frightened by rapid chaotic change, looking for someone to believe in

45. Black shirts Italy was full of disturbances/riots (many with Mussolini’s knowledge) he could then send in his peeps to “restore order”. Made Mussolini appear effective- helped his popularity. Hitler will do the same thing with his Brown shirts

46. Corporate State Top down control of economy. Syndicalist - corporate system, econ basis of Fascism. “Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state”. Outlawed unions and strikes, said they were communist and unpatriotic.

47. Positives and Negative • It’s a dictatorship- any way you slice it. • Limited curriculum in school- regulated leisure time • Women restricted- told to go home and have babies (medal for those with 10+) Special tax on Bachelors, divorce outlawed • Italy never “fully” totalitarian- no purges or real police state (only 23 executions) • Brought order and organization to Italy- modernized and industrialized. • Suppression of Mafia. (they come to US)

48. Fascism vs. Communism See Chart

49. Germany: Adolf Hitler Most notorious version of fascism. Aggressive, determined to reverse the “humiliations” of 1918. Told people that if they would subject their will to the gov’t they could achieve greatness for the fatherland. Appealed to middle and lower classes who were tired of suffering, and to upper classes who feared communist threat.

50. The “Master” Race Like Mussolini- big into women as baby machines- no birth control or abortions allowed etc.. Hitler also hated gypsies, Jehovah’s witnesses, communists, homosexuals, the mentally handicapped. One of his 1st acts as chancellor was the T4 project- 200,000 mentally handicapped people “euthanized” Hitler said that the German peoples were Aryan- one of the 4 purely “European” races (the others were Greek, Latin and Celtic) All others were “mongrelized” mixed blood (esp. Slavs and Jews) and were subhuman- and those of pure blood need protection from them.