Great Depression and Post War Europe

Totalitarian in Europe

History’s definition

• A dictator is some one who gains power/control of a country through military force

• A dictator runs the country with an authoritarian government

• This type of government is generally viewed as a negative in society

• A person trying to takeover a society usually needs certain elements in order to be successful…

Rise of Dictator’s 1900’s

Life after WWI

Rise of Dictators

How a Society falls to an authoritarian government

Before The Great Depression

• After WWI, the world was making a shaky recovery, leaving many “weak spots” across the globe

• During the war, economies got a boost because of the need for war production

Causes of the Depression

1. Over production:

• The production of goods exceeds the demand

• During the war more production was needed

After the war, production continued at the increased “war” rate

Causes of the Depression

2. Failure of the American Banks

• Prices of the stock crashed, (everyone selling + no one buying = lower the price =INFLATION!) = HYPERINFLATION! (OUT OF CONTROL)

#2, American Banks Continued:Banks bottom out!!!!

• Not enough people paying back loans, banks need money:

• Ask countries who owe U.S. $$ to pay back their loan

They can’t.

• Factories closed. No jobs, no money, no rent, no food BIG PROBLEM!!!

The Depression Hits!

• Two important things to remember:

1. People of Europe( Germany /Italy esp.) are already upset with their government

2. The depression increases public anger toward government- when bad things happen, you need someone to blame, (scapegoat).

Depression and Germany

• Economy hurting: war debt and reparations

• German gov. (Weimar Republic) printed more money with out gold to back it….

• Extra money in circulation makes it less valuable = raise in product prices/ hyperinflation

• Example of hyperinflation in Germany: a cup of coffee used to cost 0.05 marks, 1930’s it now costs 5 million marks

Economy Theories

Before the 1920’s-

• overall, people supported laissez faire economics, (Adam Smith )

• No government regulation- let economy fluctuate and fix by itself.

• Money was spent without gold to back it up

Keynesian Economics

• Maynard Keynes- new thinker, c. 1919, England. Went to Peace negotiations after WWI

• Protested Treaty of Versailles, “inequitable economic provisions”

• Impossible for Germans to pay the reparations- vindictive

• Predicted German economic troubles, and its effect on the world

Keynesian Economics

• Maynard promoted government funding public projects

This would increase employment = stimulate economy

• Keynesian Economics is having an involved government NO MORE LASSEZ FAIRE! Especially during economic hard times

Depression and Germany

• Massive unemployment, starvation, civil unrest• VERY angry with Weimar Republic, (they are responsible for

Germany’s end in WWII)1. Unhappy in society2. Bitter over Treaty of Versailles, Weimar Republic signed it- War guilt clause- 30+ billion in reparations1. Power Vacuum: power vacuum can quickly become a dangerous

situation. It is a political term used to describe a vacancy or weakness in the power structure of a nation or region. The danger is that a group that does not have the country or region’s best interests in mind may fill the power vacuum before an appropriate new government can be installed.

Depression and Italy

• Italy angry with the Treaty of Versailles because it did not get all the land promised by Allies

• Peasants partly inspired by revolutions in Russia- seized lands, factory workers strike

• Increased taxes• Less trade• Government spilt and argued with itself

Tie it all together

• WWI: People all over the globe are unhappy, and trying to place blame, (Russian Revolutions…)

• Many bitter over Versailles • Economy Hurt all over the globe• US Economy crashes, (world power can’t help

weaker nations)• Depression spreads, fuels anger, ESPESICALY

IN COUNTRIES LIKE GERMANY AND ITALY…

The Stage is Set: Welcome Dictators!

Why did these men get power?

1. Russia: in a series of revolutions, not a lot of money, people unhappy with government: Enter Stalin

2. Italy: suffering from economic failures, upset with results of WWI, angry at government: Enter Mussolini

3. Germany: hurt the most by WWI and the Treaty of Versailles, very angry with government, hurt most by great depression, NOOO MONEY in the country: Enter Hitler

Your Job:

• With a partner: Look at the images on the Power point and write down for each:

1. What you see in the picture: • What emotions are conveyed through the photo?• How does the photo make you feel?• How is the photo an example of what was happening

during the depression?2. In your own words, describe what life was like during the

1930’s depression in Europe. How do you think this lead to a dictator coming to power in European countries?