What Effects Did World War I And The Treaty Of Versailles Have On Europe

Chapter 29 Reading Questions

What effects did World War I and the Treaty of Versailles have on Europe? World War I left European countries with huge debts and decreased amounts of land for crop production. The massive loss of life due to the war massively decreased the European workforce and forced European economies to rely on imports from settler societies and the U.S. Additional economic pressures placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles made the political situation there particularly unstable. The Austro-Hungarian empire disintegrated. In general, Europeans’ sense of invincibility of earlier decades was gone. This political and economic turmoil led to a shift from representative governments to radical, authoritarian regimes in struggling
European nations

Explain what the “Roaring 20s” were like. The “Roaring 20s” was a period of seemingly stable political and economic conditions.
By this time tensions had eased between the European rivals and extremist groups declined in power. Industrial production boomed with the growing consumption of new products, such as artificial fabrics and household appliances. This was also a period of increased artistic expression in modern film, visual art, architecture and literature. The important role of women during the war allowed for the growth of women’s rights and freedoms. Scientific development also increased during the 20s.

What changes to women’s rights were made during this period? As a result of women’s role in the labor force during the war, Britain, the U.S., and Germany granted women the right to vote. Women also faced less social restrictions and began to participate in the same leisure activities as men. They enjoyed popular culture and less restrictive clothing. Women’s access to education also increased during this period and women’s voices were heard more often.

What factors led to the rise of the Fascists in
Italy? Fascist ideas had been cultivated since the late 19th century by intellectuals who saw a need for a shift from representative government to a more aggressive authoritarian system. After World War I, the Italian parliament proved ineffective in resolving Italy’s social and economic issues. In 1922, the Italian king called on Benito Mussolini, the fascist leader to control the unrest amongst the working-class and liberal party. Once in power, Mussolini created a fascist state, suspending elections and increasing state control of the economy. Why did the post-war era represent a fundamental diplomatic shift for Europe? The areas hit hardest by World War I, such as Germany and the nations that had been Austria-Hungary, moved towards more centralized, authoritarian governments. After the war, nationalism increased in these areas, which had not gained the territory they had hoped to. To build up their power, they turned to Western-style parliamentary governments at the beginning of this period. However, authoritarian monarchies or dictatorships soon gained favor because these leaders promoted a more aggressive foreign policy and were able to control peasant uprisings. Additionally, parliaments seemed unable to resolve these nation’s economic issues

What role did the United States play in world affairs during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s? During the 1920s and 1930s, the U.S.
remained politically isolated, but had global cultural and economic influence. American political isolation was prompted by the confused situation in Europe after World War I. The U.S. aimed to stay out of any post-war rivalries. However, because American factories and farms were still operational when those in Europe were not, many European nation became reliant on U.S. exports. Technological innovation and the growth of American businesses during the 1920s created new, popular consumer goods. Additionally, American music, literature, film, and advertising all influenced broader Western culture in the interwar
period. What did Japan do during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s that allowed them to emerge as a major power in WWII? Increased agricultural productivity and innovation during the interwar period allowed Japan to dramatically grow in power. New industrial technology and the expansion of the shipbuilding, textile, iron, and coal industries also contributed to Japan’s economic growth. Enrollment in higher level education also increased, which allowed Japanese entrepreneurs to participate Western markets more effectively. Japan’s population growth during this period added to the workforce and also improved the Japanese economy. Towards the end of this period, military leaders gained control over Japanese politics and promoted an aggressive foreign policy. This allowed Japan to gain territory and prove itself as a military power. What changes occurred as a result of the Mexican Revolution? Nationalism, indigenism, and secularism all grew in postrevolutionary Mexico. Mexican education and art emphasized Native American heritage, and national unity. This turn from religious subject matter created tensions between the Catholic and secular populations. The Party of the Institutionalized Revolution also rose to dominance after the revolution. It had many sectors that incorporated the different interests of most citizens. Though the PRI came to dominate Mexican politics, its diversity limited personalism. Why did the liberal experiment in Russia fail? Because Russia had a relatively small working class, the liberal movement never had much support. As a result, Kerensky was unable to make major changes when he came into power. The liberal government’s decision to stay in World War I particularly angered the Russian people. Russia’s large working class suffered because of the war and saw the liberal government as too moderate to make the changes they needed. This left the Russian government vulnerable to seizure by the extremist Bolsheviks.

What was the basis for Lenin and Stalin’s domestic and economic policies? How did they differ? Both Lenin and Stalin saw the consolidation of power as a necessity to make change. However Lenin had a more idealistic approach. He aimed to redistribute Russia’s wealth and provide equal opportunities for all classes. To achieve this, Lenin gave small business owners and peasant landowners increased economic freedom. In contrast, Stalin implemented collectivization, which took power away from the peasantry. Stalin was more personalistic and would execute those who disagreed with his choices. Another major difference between the two is that Lenin wanted to spread communism across Europe while Stalin was anti-West and more isolationist.

What elements led to Nationalist seizure of power in China? The nationalist rise to power in China began at the beginning of the interwar period with the return of Sun Yat-Sen. The Guomindang gained support of business and merchant classes, allied themselves with the communist to gain influence over the laboring class, and built up an army to defeat the warlords who controlled China. After Sun’s death, the military leader, Chiang Kai Shek took over and launched a series of campaigns to win territories from China’s warlords. These were successful and Chiang soon controlled most of China. He then turned against the Communists and drove them to the northwest. What problems were caused by the lack of globalization during the interwar period and the shortcomings of the League of Nations? The lack of globalization during the interwar period made most peace or disarmament efforts ineffective. Isolated countries became increasingly nationalist and unwilling to make sacrifices in the name of peace. Rivalries and tensions grew as a result. Global defensiveness and isolation would factor into the start of World War I.

Vocabulary
Kellogg-Briand Pact- a treaty written by French and American leaders that outlawed war in the wake of World War I (1928). It was signed by many other world powers and displays the optimism of the 20s and the significant effect of the first world war

fascism- political philosophy that promoted aggressive nationalism, militarism, and authoritarian leadership, over socialist, and democratic ideas. Fascism became dominant in Italy and Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.

Benito Mussolini- Italian fascist leader who created the Fascist party in 1919. He created the first Fascist government when he took control of Italy in 1922, converting Italy to a dictatorship based on military conquest and strong nationalism. Porfirio Diaz- president of Mexico who was in power during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Under his regime, foreigners controlled large sectors of the economy and the elite controlled much of the land. These conditions led to political unrest that sparked revolution in Mexico.

Emiliano Zapata- Mexican revolutionary who lead a peasant movement for land reform. Zapata worked to remove Diaz from power and to prevent like-minded leaders from coming into power.

Alexander Kerensky- a leader of the Russian Revolution of 1917, who aimed to implement parliamentary rule, religious freedom and other liberal reforms.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)- system of socialist republics established by the Bolsheviks in 1923 that was united under the control of the national Communist party.

collectivization- creation of large, state-run farms rather than privately owned land. This was used by Stalin and other communist leaders to gain control over the peasants and increase industrial development.

Mao Zedong- communist leader in China who stressed the need for peasant support in any revolutionary action. He lead the Chinese Communist party during China’s later revolutionary period and took control of China after Communist victory. Long March- Communist escape to Shanxi prompted by an attack during Civil War with the nationalist party (1934). Mao Zedong led this escape a became the established head of the Chinese Communist party as a result.