The Ordeal of War:
The end of WWI had major impacts on every country involved, and increased Anti-German sentiments.
28,000,000 Europeans in the war died or were disabled, causing the collapse of world relations, economy, and social situations.
The Triple Entente allies, with over optimistic beliefs, were impacted even more severely by the shock of their losses. Anti-German emotions were even higher.
The Paris Peace Settlement and its Consequences
The Paris Peace Settlement, with Europe destroyed and specific goals of the Allies, was made of 5 treaties. The most famous treaty (Treaty of Versailles) was controversial in dividing settlements. Each country had unique aims.
Countries carved out of German, Austrian, and Russian governments did not end traditional rivalries or found peace.
Disposing of colonies infuriated countries, and laid foundation for future disputes.
Some countries wanted harsh punishment for the Germans, while others requested reform or limits for Germany.
The League of Nations and the Limits of International Co-Operating:
The League of Nations was a generally ineffective collaboration for power protection and peacekeeping.
The League was flexible and every member could veto, eliminating any strong decision-making abilities.
The League promoted more international cooperation while blocking the US Senate from joining, sending mixed messages while attempting to maintain order and peace.
The ‘German Problem’
All of Europe supported the idea of Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was unstable politically and socially, and looking to place blame elsewhere.
The German mark fell, and inflation rose, causing economic, and in turn social, pressure and issues.
Germany wanted to revise the Versailles Treaty, through cooperation to strengthen the military. Germany made payments, and France promised to not use force.
Germany now secure, Hitler appears in the background, interested, and is devastated by news of defeat. He wanted a “new Germany”, and joined the German Workers’ Party and arranged a failed coup. He had four international policy goals (destroy Versailles Treaty, gain territory, include every German-speaking person in his “Third Reich”, and create a “racially pure” country for dominating power).
The Great Depression and its Consequences
The Great Depression in America hit most other countries hard in a wave of impact, encouraging Hitler’s rise to power.
The Wall Street Crash affected German hopes for economic success, and led to the stopping of US loans to Europe. The Depression then hit Japan, who later invaded China.
As the German economy collapsed, the Nazi Party became very popular, and was the ideal situation for Hitler to rise. Germany was fearful of a dictatorship or inflation, and hoped Hitler would not gain power. The Nazis in the next election won over 1/3 of the vote, but then lost support by the next election. Hitler was appointed to German chancellor.
