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