EUROPE – HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS
SS6H3 Explain conflict and change in Europe.
a. Describe the aftermath of World War I: the rise of communism, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazism, and worldwide depression.
NOTES:
World War I—The spark was the assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was a Prince and lead-
er in Austria-Hungary.
4 M.A.I.N Causes of World War I -
1. Militarism—building up of military/arms
2. Alliances—2 or more countries joining sides
3. Imperialism-countries trying to extend their em-
pires by seizing other territories, for Gold, God and
Glory.
4. Nationalism—devotion to one’s country; could be
positive (patriotism), or negative (greedy and de-
structive; anti other countries)
2 Alliances in WWI -
Triple Alliance-Germany, Italy, Austria -Hungary
Triple Entente—France, Great Britain, Russia
Germany, who had built up arms for 20+ years,
was tired of being sandwiched in the middle of
Europe. After the spark of the assassination,
they quickly made an alliance with Austria-
Hungary and were ready to use the weapons
they had built up to expand German territory.
Other countries began taking sides and making
alliances, and suddenly Europe was at war.
Post World War I-
TREATY OF VERSAILLES- Peace treaty signed by
Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Russia and
made Germany take responsibility for WWI.
Germany was primarily blamed for World War I. If
they had stayed out of the war between Austria-
Hungary and Serbia/Russia, the war would not have
escalated to a “world” war.
Conditions of the Treaty-
1. Took land from Germany.
2. Made Germany pay reparations.
3. Germany’s military was reduced to half the
size it was.
GREAT DEPRESSION—worldwide depression
Began with the Stock Market Crash in 1929 in the
United States. Europe was still recovering from
the destruction of WWI.
Europe began to feel the effects of the Great
Depression around 1932 due to:
Tariffs (taxes) placed on Europe’s imports to
the US.
US banking problems spread to other nations.
Banks in Europe and the United States were
linked through loans that were given.
RISE OF NAZISM- Nazi Party was a small, fascist, German
political party.
The Nazis and Hitler rose to power because the Ger-
mans were angered by the punishments they re-
ceived from the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler promised to
rebuild Germany’s military and regain the land that
Germany lost in the treaty. He promised the Germans
they would be great again. Extreme nationalism, rac-
ism against Jewish people. (anti-Semitism)
The Nazi party gained strength during the Great De-
pression, and eventually Hitler was elected head of
Germany’s government in 1933.
Hitler was a dictator, and would imprison or kill any-
one that opposed his views.
Germany’s economy improved, so Germans accept-
ed the Nazi rule and did not speak out.
b. Explain the rise of Nazism including preexisting prejudices, the use of propaganda, and events which resulted in the Holocaust.
c. Explain how German reunification contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and led to the end of the Cold War.
COMMUNISM— economic and political system
Run by the Communist Party.
Russia became Communist after the Russian Revolution.
Became the Soviet Union.
Promise to share wealth among all workers; provided
economic security.
Government makes decisions: individual’s rights are much
less important.
FASCISM— political system that stresses national, and military
strength. Focus on MILITARY strength.
Government interests more important that individual’s rights.
Fascist party controls all aspects of life.
WORLD WAR II -
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan
Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, (later) United States
Hitler was determined to build a mighty German empire across
Europe. In Sept. 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later,
Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II had
begun. Dec. 7, 1941—Japan attacks US at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. US
entered the war with the Allied Powers.
The Allied powers eventually pushed Germany back across France into
Germany. Soviet Union invaded Germany from the East. Germany
eventually surrendered May 1945. Japan eventually surrendered after
the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan.
The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program,
provided over $13 billion from the United States to finance the eco-
nomic recovery of Europe between 1948 and 1951. The Soviet Union
and Communists did not like the US involvement in Western Europe.
This angered the Soviet Union and was seen as another anti-
communist move by the USA.
HOLOCAUST—
Hitler and the Nazi Party blamed the Jewish
people for Germany’s downfall, primarily in
the banking industry. He and the Nazis had
extreme racism and hatred towards the Jews
and other groups.
Hitler and the Nazi Party were responsi-
ble for the mass murder of 6 million
Jews during WWII, and another 5 million
people from other groups.
COLD WAR—
The Cold War was a war of opposing government and economic ideals between the Democratic United States and the
Communist led Soviet Union. It was NOT a fighting, military war. It was hostility and competition between these
Super Powers. Democrats believe in individual rights, power given to the people and a free market economy where
individuals could own businesses and gain wealth. Communism believes economic security in the form of government
owned industry, farming and shared wealth, and no private business ownership. Germany was divided at this time,
East Germany was Communist. West Germany was Democratic. Symbol of Cold War—Berlin Wall was a wall built
between Communist East Berlin and Democratic West Berlin. Built to keep East Berlin citizens from escaping to free-
dom in West Berlin. German began reunification in 1990s which contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.