The hostilities of World War I are officially over in November 1918 with the signing of an armistice. Germany goes through a revolution and overthrows Emperor Wilhelm II who would be the last German Emperor. Emperor Wilhelm II would under pressure abdicate his throne and leave the country to live out the remainder of his life in exile. The government is replaced with a republic that is called the Weimer Republic (this is after the name of the city in which the constitutional assembly would take place).
In its 14 years, the Weimar Republic was faced with numerous problems, including hyperinflation, political extremists, and hostility from the victors of World War I (Great Britain and France), who tried twice to restructure Germany's reparations payments through the Dawes Plan which allowed the Allies to collect war reparations from Germany. This plan was only a temporary solution and later would be replaced in 1929 by the Young Plan which was a plan that lowered the unrealistic reparations that had been awarded in 1921 by the Inter-Allied Reparations Commission.
In an attempt to repay the war reparations required by the Treaty of Versailles Germany in August 1921, began to buy foreign currency with Marks at any price, but that only increased the speed of breakdown in the value of the Mark. The lower the mark sank in international markets, the greater the amounts of marks were required to buy the foreign currency demanded by the Reparations Commission.
During the first half of 1922, the Mark stabilized at about 320 Marks per Dollar. This was accompanied by international reparations conferences, including one in June 1922 organized by U.S. investment banker J. P. Morgan Jr. When these meetings produced no workable solution, the inflation changed to hyperinflation and the Mark fell to 8000 Marks per Dollar by December 1922. The cost of living index was 41 in June 1922 and 685 in December, an increase of more than 16 times. In 1923 German Marks had lost so much value that they were used as wallpaper or used to start fires in the fireplace.
France during this same time period was demanding payment of the war reparations and when Germany could not deliver the required payment France and Belgium invaded the Rhineland stipulating that if Germany could not pay in currency then she would pay in natural resources. The invasion was finally settled when Germany agreed to the French controlling the Rhineland provided that the French slowly withdraw from the region and control return to Germany by 1935.
Originally reparations were set at 226 billion gold marks which was approximately 100,000 tons of pure gold. Designed by the Allies to crush German economy many countries in the League of Nations felt that this amount was excessive. The Young Plan lowered amount to a more reasonable amount of 132 billion gold marks (or eight billion US dollars) to be paid over a period of 59 years. Germany finally discharged its First World War debt on October 3rd, 2010.
Below are a couple of films that describe both the concept of hyperinflation and discuss the success and failures of the Weimer Republic.
In an attempt to repay the war reparations required by the Treaty of Versailles Germany in August 1921, began to buy foreign currency with Marks at any price, but that only increased the speed of breakdown in the value of the Mark. The lower the mark sank in international markets, the greater the amounts of marks were required to buy the foreign currency demanded by the Reparations Commission.
During the first half of 1922, the Mark stabilized at about 320 Marks per Dollar. This was accompanied by international reparations conferences, including one in June 1922 organized by U.S. investment banker J. P. Morgan Jr. When these meetings produced no workable solution, the inflation changed to hyperinflation and the Mark fell to 8000 Marks per Dollar by December 1922. The cost of living index was 41 in June 1922 and 685 in December, an increase of more than 16 times. In 1923 German Marks had lost so much value that they were used as wallpaper or used to start fires in the fireplace.
France during this same time period was demanding payment of the war reparations and when Germany could not deliver the required payment France and Belgium invaded the Rhineland stipulating that if Germany could not pay in currency then she would pay in natural resources. The invasion was finally settled when Germany agreed to the French controlling the Rhineland provided that the French slowly withdraw from the region and control return to Germany by 1935.
Originally reparations were set at 226 billion gold marks which was approximately 100,000 tons of pure gold. Designed by the Allies to crush German economy many countries in the League of Nations felt that this amount was excessive. The Young Plan lowered amount to a more reasonable amount of 132 billion gold marks (or eight billion US dollars) to be paid over a period of 59 years. Germany finally discharged its First World War debt on October 3rd, 2010.
Below are a couple of films that describe both the concept of hyperinflation and discuss the success and failures of the Weimer Republic.
In June of 1919 the Treaty of Versailles Conference concluded and all countries involved in the conflict signed the peace treaty, including Germany, who was pressured into signing if they wished to survive as a country. Provisions in the Treaty of Versailles require that Germans cede territory to France, Poland, Denmark, and Belgium. The treaty also forbade them to unite with Austria as it did in World War I. The treaty limited Germany's standing Army to only 100,000 men and created a demilitarized zone in the Rhineland. The treaty’s sole purpose was to ensure that Germany never posed a threat again in Europe and to exact revenge for the damage and destruction caused during World War I. The only voice of reason at this event was President Woodrow Wilson who advocated a fair and just treaty that would leave Germany in a position to rebuild as well as pay war reparations. Woodrow Wilson introduced his 14 points of peace with one of those points suggesting that an international organization be developed to deal with international crisis in a unified fashion.
President Wilson would see this come to be in the creation of the League of Nations in January of 1920. Ironically the United States would never become a member because President Wilson could not convince congress and the citizens of the United States of the merit of this type of organization.
Russia during this time period is also going through a violent civil war between the established government and the workers movement or communist party. This leads to the development of a communist party in most other nations and the start of the Red Scare. The Red Scare griped much of the world when communism was first introduced because countries feared that communism would spread to their countries and eventually they would see the same social unrest that the Soviet Union experienced. This lead to a huge anti-communist attitude in many of the countries.
A new form of government came into being in October 1922 with the rise of Benito Mussolini to the position of Prime Minister of Italy (he was extremely charismatic and promised the Italian people a return to the glory of the Roman Empire). Mussolini would use a combination of fear, intimidation and violence to secure his position as the dictator of Italy over the next few years eventually declaring himself a dictator in 1929. The methods he used to obtained power would influence others to imitate him especially Adolph Hitler. This type of dictatorship is called Fascism and spreads to other areas of the world influencing other dictator style government run in militaristic fashion
(specifically Germany and Japan).
The official Italian Fascist Party Flag Benito Mussolini
In January 1924 Lenin dies of stroke and Joseph Stalin is chosen to replace him as the leader of the Soviet Union. Over time Stalin initiates programs of forced industrialization and collective farming which are enforced by brutal police repression and purges. The propaganda Stalin and the communist party use instills a deeply suspicious attitude towards the outside world in her citizens and Stalin consolidates a rigid control over both the Soviet Union and foreign communist parties.
Below are a couple of propaganda posters used by the Soviet Union to help spread the philosophical ideas of communism
Below are a couple of propaganda posters used by the Soviet Union to help spread the philosophical ideas of communism
Whoever will come to us with a sword, from a sword will perish
"To have more, we must produce more. To produce more, we must know more"
On October 24th, 1929 the prosperous times experienced world wide come to a halt with the crash of the American Stock Exchange (this is also referred to as Black Tuesday). This crash would not just have an impact on the economy of the United States but would influence and become the start of a world wide depression. Many other countries go through severe economic hardships and this depression helps set the stage for the rise of dictators such as Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler who promise they can restore their countries to prosperity if allowed into power.
Japan begins to show serious signs of aggression in 1931 when Japanese armies wage an undeclared war in China and invades the province of Manchuria on the pretense of Chinese saboteurs placing bombs at a rail station that Japan controlled. This would be the first of many conflicts between these two countries and was primarily a war to control resources. Japan desperately needed resources to sustain their desire to expand their empire.
In addition to the external hostilities China was going through an internal conflict as well between the Kuomintang of Chiang Kei-shek and the Communist Chinese Party forces under Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong would be forced to retreat and conducted what is now referred to as Long March which was a strategic retreat to the north over hazardous terrain and difficult weather. They started the march with over 87,000 troops and after over a year of marching ended with only 10,000 troops. This means that approximately only 1 of every 9 soldiers survived this ordeal.
China was forced during this same time period to face the Japanese in more hostile engagements after the Marco Polo Bridge incident and the massacre of Nanking in 1937 when the Japanese invaded and occupied Nanking. This occupation has become known as a massacre because of the many atrocities and tortures carried out by the Japanese on Chinese civilians.
Adolph Hitler begins to consolidate his power in Germany in January 1933 when he becomes Chancellor of Germany. Within a matter of months by the use of intimidation, assassinations and riots Hitler and the Nazi party are in full control of Germany. The Third Reich begins.
Japan begins to show serious signs of aggression in 1931 when Japanese armies wage an undeclared war in China and invades the province of Manchuria on the pretense of Chinese saboteurs placing bombs at a rail station that Japan controlled. This would be the first of many conflicts between these two countries and was primarily a war to control resources. Japan desperately needed resources to sustain their desire to expand their empire.
In addition to the external hostilities China was going through an internal conflict as well between the Kuomintang of Chiang Kei-shek and the Communist Chinese Party forces under Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong would be forced to retreat and conducted what is now referred to as Long March which was a strategic retreat to the north over hazardous terrain and difficult weather. They started the march with over 87,000 troops and after over a year of marching ended with only 10,000 troops. This means that approximately only 1 of every 9 soldiers survived this ordeal.
China was forced during this same time period to face the Japanese in more hostile engagements after the Marco Polo Bridge incident and the massacre of Nanking in 1937 when the Japanese invaded and occupied Nanking. This occupation has become known as a massacre because of the many atrocities and tortures carried out by the Japanese on Chinese civilians.
Adolph Hitler begins to consolidate his power in Germany in January 1933 when he becomes Chancellor of Germany. Within a matter of months by the use of intimidation, assassinations and riots Hitler and the Nazi party are in full control of Germany. The Third Reich begins.
Hitler is no longer concerned with following the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles and withdraws in October 1933 from both the disarmament conference and the League of Nations.
A few months later Hitler makes his first significant initiative in Eastern Europe by signing a German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact. This would be a favored tactic of Nazi Germany signing Non-Aggression pacts with other countries until he is ready to invade them (he would later break this non-aggression pact in 1939 when he invades Poland).
The newly formed country of the Soviet Union is admitted into the League of Nations in Sept 1934 giving it a degree of legitimacy. This is bolstered by the United States also recognizing the Soviet Union as a country.
By March of 1935 Hitler has decided to totally disregard the Treaty of Versailles and the multiple restrictions placed on Germany by starting to rearm his country and increase his military troops. The official formation of the Axis power solidifies with the Anti-Comintern Pact (a pact designed to counter the communist movement) which officially connects the powers of Germany, Japan and Italy together and they become know as the Axis.
In September 1935 to May of 1936 Benito Mussolini’s Italian armies invade the African country of Abyssinian (now called Ethiopia). The League of Nations attempts to deal with the international crisis over Italy’s invasion but failed to do so. The “Collective Security” that the League of Nations promised did not effectively handle this crisis and the League lost a lot of credibility in it’s ability to handle international conflicts. This would be one of many incidents that would lead to the League eventual demise. The League of Nations would still be in existence through out World War II but eventually would be replaced by the United Nations. Learning from the mistakes of the League of Nations the United Nations was created and designed to be more effective. President Wilson’s idea of an organization created and developed to solve international crisis would become a reality and this time the United States of America would be a charter member of the organization he first suggested in his 14 point speech at the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler begins is policy of annexation. He begins by annexing a large part of western Czechoslovakia. The allies respond with the policy of appeasement a policy that the allies would follow for approximately a year. Hitler during this time will occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually in September 1939 invade Poland which will be the official beginning of War World II.
In closing there is one additional world event that you should be aware of but will not be a player in World War II and that is the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Civil War breaks out in July of 1936 and lasts till 1939. The resurrection is lead by a Nationalist insurgent named Franco and support is provided to him by both Germany (Hitler) and Italy (Mussolini) while the Allies (Britain, France and Russia) support the Republican government. Many volunteers flood into Spain to help either side including the United States (mostly supporting the Republic). This is important because the conflict in Spain is a precursor to and an indicator of how the countries will ally themselves in the upcoming World War II.
This completes Lesson 2: The Players. Students are now required to review this lessons material and prepare to take this weeks quiz located under the Lesson 2 Quiz tab on the websites menu.
A few months later Hitler makes his first significant initiative in Eastern Europe by signing a German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact. This would be a favored tactic of Nazi Germany signing Non-Aggression pacts with other countries until he is ready to invade them (he would later break this non-aggression pact in 1939 when he invades Poland).
The newly formed country of the Soviet Union is admitted into the League of Nations in Sept 1934 giving it a degree of legitimacy. This is bolstered by the United States also recognizing the Soviet Union as a country.
By March of 1935 Hitler has decided to totally disregard the Treaty of Versailles and the multiple restrictions placed on Germany by starting to rearm his country and increase his military troops. The official formation of the Axis power solidifies with the Anti-Comintern Pact (a pact designed to counter the communist movement) which officially connects the powers of Germany, Japan and Italy together and they become know as the Axis.
In September 1935 to May of 1936 Benito Mussolini’s Italian armies invade the African country of Abyssinian (now called Ethiopia). The League of Nations attempts to deal with the international crisis over Italy’s invasion but failed to do so. The “Collective Security” that the League of Nations promised did not effectively handle this crisis and the League lost a lot of credibility in it’s ability to handle international conflicts. This would be one of many incidents that would lead to the League eventual demise. The League of Nations would still be in existence through out World War II but eventually would be replaced by the United Nations. Learning from the mistakes of the League of Nations the United Nations was created and designed to be more effective. President Wilson’s idea of an organization created and developed to solve international crisis would become a reality and this time the United States of America would be a charter member of the organization he first suggested in his 14 point speech at the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler begins is policy of annexation. He begins by annexing a large part of western Czechoslovakia. The allies respond with the policy of appeasement a policy that the allies would follow for approximately a year. Hitler during this time will occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually in September 1939 invade Poland which will be the official beginning of War World II.
In closing there is one additional world event that you should be aware of but will not be a player in World War II and that is the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Civil War breaks out in July of 1936 and lasts till 1939. The resurrection is lead by a Nationalist insurgent named Franco and support is provided to him by both Germany (Hitler) and Italy (Mussolini) while the Allies (Britain, France and Russia) support the Republican government. Many volunteers flood into Spain to help either side including the United States (mostly supporting the Republic). This is important because the conflict in Spain is a precursor to and an indicator of how the countries will ally themselves in the upcoming World War II.
This completes Lesson 2: The Players. Students are now required to review this lessons material and prepare to take this weeks quiz located under the Lesson 2 Quiz tab on the websites menu.