CH.9 SECTION 1

The Futile Search for Stability

Think about this…

What are some of the effects that an unstable government can have on a country?

After WWI, many different political parties arose. What political parties are you familiar with in the U.S.? In other countries?

League of Nations

Much weaker than originally plannedThe US was NOT a member

Senate did not ratify Treaty of VersaillesMembers of the league would not agree to

use force against nations that violated international law.

Instability in Germany

Germany owed 132 billion German Marks (33 billion US dollars) paid in yearly installments

After the first year they had a financial crisis and announced they could not pay

French occupied Ruhr Valley and planned to collect money by operating Ruhr mines and factories

Workers went on strike, and the government paid their salaries by printing more money

By November 1923 4.2 trillion marks= $1 US Money was worthless

Dawes Plan

An international commission produced a new plan for reparations in 1924- Dawes Plan Reduced reparations Coordinated Germany’s annual payments with its

ability to pay Granted an initial $200 million loan for German

recovery

Treaty of Locarno

Begun by a new spirit of accord between Germany and France

Treaty guaranteed new Western borders for Germany

Germany soon after joined the League of Nations

Everyone believed this meant lasting peace

Democratic States after the war

Germany Created a new republic called the Weimar No strong political leaders Serious economic problems and was hit by the Great

depressionFrance

Was the strongest European power after the war Did not feel the effects of the Great Depression until 1932 Economic problems caused political chaos

Popular Front Government formed by leftist parites (communist, socialists, etc)

Started the French New Deal Gave workers right to collective bargaining, a 40hr work week,

paid vacation, and a minimum wage

Democratic states cont.

Great Britain Lost many of its markets to the US and Japan during

the war A new conservative government claimed credit for

getting Britain out of the depression using balanced budgets and protective tariffs

The U.S. More than 12 million were unemployed by 1933 FDR was elected and formed the New Deal

Increased program of public works Welfare system 1935 Social Security Act