Overview
This lecture reviews the political, social, and economic outcomes of World War I, including the rise of fascism and communism, the failures of peace settlements, and the lead-up to World War II.
Aftermath of World War I
- Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points aimed to promote democracy but failed in implementation.
- The League of Nations was created, but the U.S. refused to participate, weakening its effectiveness.
- National self-determination led to problematic borders (e.g., Polish Corridor) and future conflict.
- Colonial hopes for independence, such as in India and Vietnam, were disappointed.
Global Political Developments
- Ho Chi Minh and Gandhi were inspired by Wilson but denied their nations' self-rule.
- The Ottoman Empire dissolved, with British and French mandates taking control of Middle Eastern territories.
- Italy, led by Mussolini, felt betrayed by postwar settlements, fueling the rise of fascism.
Rise of Fascism and Communism
- Mussolini founded fascism, promoting state-industry cooperation against workers.
- Stalin consolidated power after Lenin's death, implementing the NEP and later five-year plans.
Economic Crisis and International Relations
- Hyperinflation hit Germany after French-Belgian occupation of the Ruhr.
- The Dawes Plan stabilized the German economy through U.S.-led loans and reparations cycles.
- The Washington Naval Treaty sought arms reduction but alienated Japan.
Cultural and Social Changes in the 1920s
- U.S. culture (music, film, consumer goods) became globally influential.
- Berlin and Paris emerged as vibrant cultural centers post-WWI.
The Great Depression and Political Extremes
- The Great Depression destabilized economies, hitting Germany and the U.S. especially hard.
- Political polarization in Germany grew between the Nazis and Communists.
- Hitler transformed the small German Workers Party into the Nazi Party and leveraged economic turmoil to gain power.
Expansionist Policies and the Road to World War II
- Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) and China (1937), committing atrocities like the Rape of Nanking.
- Mussolini invaded Ethiopia (1935), exposing League of Nations' impotence.
- Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland, annexed Austria (Anschluss), and took the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia.
- British Prime Minister Chamberlain pursued appeasement to buy time for rearmament.
- Arab revolt in Palestine diverted British attention from European threats.
Key Terms & Definitions
- League of Nations — International organization aiming for peace, weakened by U.S. non-participation.
- Self-determination — Principle that nationalities have the right to form their own governments.
- Fascism — Political ideology prioritizing state-industry alliances and authoritarianism.
- NEP (New Economic Policy) — Lenin's temporary measure allowing small businesses in Soviet Russia.
- Dawes Plan — U.S.-brokered economic plan to stabilize Germany post-WWI.
- Appeasement — Policy of conceding to aggressive powers to avoid conflict.
- Anschluss — Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the causes and consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Prepare for a quiz on the rise of fascism, communism, and the Nazi Party’s origins.
- Read about the Rape of Nanking and the Ethiopia invasion for discussion.