Chapter 30: Crisis of Democracy in the West

By: Sophia Saint-Festin

Section 1: The Western Democracies

Europe faced many postwar problems, such as:

• Little jobs• Huge dept• Overproduction (imbalanced economy) These were some the three elements that caused depression for most of Europe.

In the US, chaos in margin buying ° caused the stalk market to crash, creating the Great Depression of the 1930’s. As a result, president Franklin D. Roosevelt created the New Deal Plan to regulate the stock market and protect bank deposits.

  Positive side of the Depression•       Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, gained the right of

self-government from Britain. • Aiming towards peace • The “ Lacarno” treaties settled border problems with France, Belgium,

Czechoslovakia and Poland.• A Stronger emphasis on the League of Nations.

•   The Kellogg- Briand Pact was signed to stop using war as a “ tool” to fix national problems. (There was no way of enforcing this pact).

margin buying◦: paying part of the cost and borrowing the rest from brokers.

Section 2: A Culture in Conflict New Science

• Experimenting in radioactivity proved that atoms were not solid and indivisible• Albert Einstein, made new concepts in the theory of relativity. • Psychoanalysis° was developed.

The New World of Modern Art and Architecture

• Artist discarded traditional styles, and went towards a more abstract ° look.• A blend of science and technology changed the way in which buildings were

made.Literature

• More war novels, poetry, plays and memoirs were written.• Stream of consciousness ° was developed.

Stream of consciousness◦ : A technique that a writer used to probe a character’s random thoughts and feelings

without any logic or order. Abstract◦: Or emphasizing more on color, line and shape.

Psychoanalysis◦: A study of how the mind works, and treating mental disorders.

Changes in Society•A new form of music called Jazz was created. This is a blend of western harmonies with African rhythms.•Women who rejected the conservative way of dressing were called flappers. •Women ventured in new areas, such as the world of sports.

Section 3: Fascism in Italy • What is Fascism? • There are many forms of fascism. However all the forms of fascism share

similar views, such as:• Extreme nationalism• Action• Violence• Discipline• Absolute authority to the head of state.

Rise of Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini,was an uprising Italian fascist who promised an end to corruption and order in the government. He gave powerful speeches on returning Italy to its “ glory days”,or Ancient Rome. Back then, Italy seemed to be a thriving country. This caught the eye of many Italians. His militaristic supporters were called the “ Black shirts”. In 1922, Mussolini seized control of Italy. Mussolini ran a totalitarian state, and gained the nickname “ Il Duce” or the leader . Anyone who was against his regime was penalized.

Section 3: Fascism in Italy (cont.)

Rise in totalitarian rule

  What is totalitarian rule?• A single-party dictatorship• State control of the economy• The use of police spies and terror to enforce polices. • Strict censorship and propaganda• The use of schools to reform citizens• Absolute obedience to a single ruler.

Section 4: Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany The Weimer Republic

In 1919 the democratic Weimer Republic was established in Germany .Many Germans were unhappy with the Weimer Republic

Problems of the Weimer Republic

• Soaring Inflations

• Huge dept

• Very weak rule

 

Adolph Hitler

 

Adolph Hitler was a persuasive speaker who despised the Weimer Republic. He founded the Nationalist Social German Workers, or Nazi party. His first attempt to challenge the government was in 1923. He tried to impose authority, but failed and was put into prison. In prison, he wrote the Mein Kampf or “ My struggle”. This book showed his strong opinion on how he viewed the world. He believed that pureblooded Aryans, or light-skinned people were the better than all other races. Hitler hated anyone outside his own race. He especially hated the Jews. In his eyes they were the reason why Germany lost WWI.

Section 4: Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany (cont.)Rule under Adolph Hitler

In 1933, Hitler successfully became the prime minister of Germany.• He was an totalitarian ruler• Ended depression and revived the economy.• Used propaganda to appeal to the youth• Wanted women to make as many children as possible• Banned western arts, music and literature. • Sent people consider enemies of the state to concentration camps°.

Religion and Hitler•  Hitler despised Christianity• Enforced the Nuremberg Laws, or laws placing restrictions

on the Jewish people

Concentration camps: detention centers or labor camps

Question 1.

1. Which situation contributed to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany after World War I?

A. support of Hitler's radical policies by the Social Democrats in the Reichstag

B. strong feelings of resentment and nationalism built up by economic and political crises

C. refusal by the League of Nations to admit Germany as a member

D. violence and terror promoted by Germany's former enemies

Question 2.

2. During the mid-1930’s, which characteristic was common to Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Communist Russia?

A. government ownership of the means of production and distribution

B. one-party system that denied basic human rights C. encouragement of individual freedom of expression in

the arts D. emphasis on consumer goods rather than on weapons

Question 3.

3. In Eastern Europe after World War I, the greatest obstacle to national unity in many nation-states was theA. great ethnic diversity found in the region.

B. economic dependence of Eastern Europe on Japan.

C. acceptance of democratic traditions by most Eastern Europeans.

D. expansion of United States influence in the region.

Question 4.

4. Fascism in Europe during the 1920’s and 1930’s is best described as a

A. demonstration of laissez-faire capitalism that promoted free enterprise

B. form of totalitarianism that glorified the state above the individual

C. type of economic system that stressed a classless society

D. set of humanist ideas that emphasized the dignity and worth of the individual

Question 5.

5. What was one reason the Nazi programs and policies of the early 1930’s appealed to many people in Germany?

A. the people were frustrated with their current economic and political situation

B. Germany had been denied membership in the United Nations

C. a coup d’etat had forced communism on the German people

D. the German people feared that the French of the British would soon gain control of the Polish corridor

Answers

1. B

2. B

3. A

4. B

5. A

End of Slideshow