The World in the 1920s

Challenges to European Dominance

3 Major Patterns Incomplete recovery of W. Europe after

WWI- economies and politics in disarray Growing industrial strength of the U.S. and

Japan Results of major revolutions

Western Europe after the War Mid-1920s a period of stability and calm Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 outlawed war

forever Political calm- fewer extremist groups and

polarization of existing politics Cultural creativity (Cubist movement in art-

Picasso) Mass consumption up Women gain suffrage (U.S., Britain, Germany)

Fascism in Italy 1919 Benito Mussolini formed “union for struggle” Italians upset at terms at Versailles (they gained

little) Fascism promoted the building of a strong state

under a strong leader and the need for an aggressive, nationalist foreign policy

1922 Italian king asked Mussolini to form a new government

1926 suspended elections and began propaganda campaign about the glories of conquest

New Nations of East Central Europe Modeled politics after the west Nationalist assignment Primarily agrarian societies that wouldn’t

undertake serious land reform

Industrial Societies Outside Europe 1921 imperial conference determined that

self-governing dominions (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) considered coequals

1926 resolution defined them as autonomous communities

Canada developed vibrant economy, become destination for immigrants

Rise of America U.S. tradition of isolationism Communist scare Presence in world economics- U.S. corporations

grew rapidly in the 1920s partly due to organization and innovation of U.S. businesses

Exported U.S. culture- first mass-consumer society led to marketing and advertising developments. Dance, music, fashion, movies

Japan Japan’s commitment to parliamentary democracy

challenged after the war (Japan had a parliament modeled on the German parliament). Experimented with liberal dem. All adult males got suffrage.

Military leaders tried to take a greater role at expense of civilians and politicians

Economy- agricultural production increased. 1905-1918 industrial boom- increased population

Consumer culture emerged Education advanced Vulnerable economy because still importing a lot

Mexican Revolution- Causes Porfirio Diaz (in power since 1786)

increased the economy but with foreign investment, thus upsetting the peasantry

Dictator who stifled dissent Peasants want political and land reform Education Nationalism

Players in the Revolution 1910- Diaz is open to allowing someone to take over but

then rigs the election Francisco Madero called for revolt and assumes leadership Pancho Villa led rebellion in the north Emilio Zapata led a peasant-based guerilla movement for

“Land and Liberty” General Huerta tried to impose a Diaz-type government Leadership went back and forth and eventually Obregon

elected president in 1920

End of the Mexican Revolution 1917 constitution promised land reform, limited

foreign ownership of key resources and guaranteed the rights of workers

One-party system created with PRI dominating it (Party of Industrial Revolution)

PRI dominated Mexican politics but incorporated many groups and had some limits with the new term limits on the presidency

Russian Revolution: The Beginning March 1917 strikes and food riots break

out in St. Petersburg spurred by wartime misery, food shortages, incomplete rural reform, and unresponsive political system

Council of workers (soviet) took over Tsar abdicated

Liberal Government? Not for us! Brief experiment with liberal government

under Alexander Kerensky Slow reform led to a second revolution in

November which brought the radical Bolshevik to power under Lenin

Lenin Treaty of Brest-Litovsk angered Russians End of WWI allowed Lenin to consolidate

power Created Council of People Commissars Shut down parliament and the Communist

Party would rule Russia until 1989 1918-1921 Civil war

Lenin’s Reforms Red Army under Leon Trotsky 1921 New Economic Policy, which reduced

economic disarray and granted some freedom to small business owners

1923 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Supreme Soviet – parliament New groups have political voice: youth, women,

workers 1924 Lenin died leaving leadership crisis

Stalin: “Steel” Represented nationalist version of

communism Killed rivals Collectivization Aristocratic class gone

China: Crisis after the Qing 1912 fall of the Qing dynasty Military commanders competed for power

for next 30 years with secret societies, nationalist groups, and the Japanese

1912 Sun Yat-sen, head of revolutionary alliance, resigned as president and Yuan Shikai took over

1916 Yuan Shikai forced to resign

Change is coming…. May 4, 1919- mass demonstrations by

students and nationalist politicians over Versailles outcome. This leads to May Fourth Movement, which tried to make China a liberal democracy

Unsuccessful movement because China ruled by warlords

Alternative? 1920s radical solution needed and emerged

as part of the nationalist movement Li Dazhao- altered communist ideology to

fit China- peasants were the drivers of change

1921 communist party born at a meeting in Shanghai

Sun Yat-sen Returns 1919 Sun Yat-sen returned to China to lead

the Nationalist party 1924 Whampoa Military Academy

produced the military element necessary to combat the warlords

Chiang Kai-shek emerged from this 1925 Sun Yat-sen died and Kai-shek

assumed power

Communism Gains Ground 1927 brutal massacre against communists 1934 Mao Zedong led 90,000 followers on

a Long March to regroup Japanese imperialist threat made the

Nationalists have to join the Communists, who will eventually triumph