In Between The Wars
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Transcript of In Between The Wars
In Between The Wars
Bell Ringer• What were the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles?
1 minute
Discuss with your partner
Treaty of Versailles• Germany:
– Lost territory– Took all blame– Demilitarized– Paid reparations
The Weimar Republic
Germany Post WWI
Germany• At the end of WWI, Germany was plagued by
various riots, strikes, and rebellions• Numerous groups were vying for power
– Communists – Social Democrats– Nazis (Hitler’s political debut)
• When Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated, Germany was declared a republic
New German Republic• First order of business: to sign peace
treaty• Many Germans (including Hitler) saw
this as an act of treason• Still, elections took place and the
Reichstag (German parliament) was able to create a new constitution that was very democratic in nature
Weimar Republic• This new, democratic government was
called the Weimar Republic• It would stay in power for 14 years
Financial Hardship
• Germany was unable to pay the reparations
• By 1922, they defaulted on their payments
• Result = France & Belgium occupied the Ruhr region (industrial heartland) with intent to use the products as reparation
Economic Disaster• Occupation led to economic disaster:
– Production decreased– Unemployment increased– Prices rose dramatically --> more money
printed --> hyperinflation
HyperinflationYear Month Marks needed to buy one US
dollar
1919 April 12
1921 November 263
1922 July 493
December 7,000
1923 January 17,000
August 4,621,000
December 4,200,000,000,000
Source: www.historyhome.co.uk
(More) Hard Times for the Germans
• Germans lost life savings• Workers paid with worthless money• Literally cost millions for groceries -
hunger riots
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your partner the Weimar Republic’s status:
1. Politically
2. Economically
1 minute
On the Brink of Chaos
• Economic hardships led to further political discord
• Things got worse when the WR resumed reparation payments
• Germans now furious with government and wanted something done…
Hitler’s Plan
Hitler & Nazis plotted to:1. Kidnap Bavarian leaders
2. force them (at gunpoint) to accept Hitler as their new leader
3. Win over the Army
4. Declare national revolt
5. Overthrow democratic government
From Beer Hall Putsch…
• Munich, Germany• November 8-9, 1923 -
8:30 pm• Hitler & posse stormed
beer hall = leaders freaked out
• “The National revolution has begun!”
To Beer Hall Putz…
• Comedy of errors…• Result - Hitler arrested - charged with
treason • 5-week trial - guilty verdict• Sent to Landsberg Prison (where he
wrote his famous book, Mein Kampf)
Did Hitler Really Lose?
• Ultimately, no (it helped him!)• Trial made him a national figure
– Platform to make his views known to those outside the Nazi party
– His defense gave him the opportunity to attack those he hated (Jews, communists, etc.)
Hitler in a Lederhosen!
Check for Understanding
What was the “Beer Hall Putsch?” How did it ultimately work in Hitler’s favor?
30 seconds
Back on Track• New chancellor/foreign minister
(Stresemann - 1923-1929)• Introduced new currency that ended
hyperinflation• Negotiated reduction in reparations• This upswing gave way to great cultural
advances (Brecht, Weill, Dietrich, Einstein, etc.)
Meanwhile…
In the US
The Roaring 20s• Prosperity• Optimism• Liberal attitudes VS.
– Flappers– Speakeasies– Gangsters– Jazz
• Conservative attitudes– Prohibition– 18th Amendment– Red Scare
Flappers
The Bee’s Knees!
Speakeasies
Check for Understanding
Based on what you just learned, why do you think the US refers to this decade as “roaring”?
Discuss with partner
1 minute
BUT…
• By 1929, things began to take a terrible turn…
Economic Depression
a period during which business, employment, and stock-market values decline severely or remain at a very low level of activity
STOCK
A piece of a company - the owners of a company sell “shares” of the company
Dividend
An annual payment to a stockholder, like interest
SPECULATE
To buy land/stock when the price is low and sell it when the price is high
On Margin
Investors pay for only part of the purchase pricein cash - the rest is owed to a broker
Margin Call
When the broker asks for repayment of the stock loan
Check for Understanding
Using the new vocabulary, predict to your partner how the stock market crashed in 1929.
1 minute
Black Tuesday
• Tuesday, October 29, 1929• Great stock market crash
The Great Depression(1929-1941)
Underlying Causes of the Great Depression
• Stock market crash did not cause the GD
• Main Causes:– Unstable Economy– Over-speculation– Government Policies
Unemployment Lines
The Ripple Effect
• At first, crash only affected those heavily invested in stock market
• It did not take long for a ripple effect to occur
Impact on World
• International banking, manufacturing and trade made the world dependent upon the US
• US demanded France & Britain pay wartime debts while keeping taxes on imports high
• Created a situation in which the Allies had to rely on Germany’s reparations
Collapse of Weimar Republic
• Great Depression– Financially crippled Germany
• Weak Government– President von Hindenberg
• Elderly• Too weak to fight Hitler• Tries to outsmart Hitler…backfires
Closure
• List the circumstances that led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic
1 minute