Chapter 29, part1
Pg. 672-678, 681-685

Bouncing Back?

Superficial prosperity marked mid-1920s

Modernity → Fine art; Pop culture

Women gained right to vote!

Alarming exceptions amidst frenzy

Lasting economic weakness remains in
Western Europe

Political extremism increases

Other Industrial Centers

Some prewar trends continue in white dominions & U.S.

Dominions: independence, economic & population growth

U.S.: expansion of economic & cultural influence – BUT diplomatic isolationism

Rise of Fascism - Italy

Ineffective liberal democracy & social unrest create atmosphere requiring conservative response for unity

Fascism & Mussolini created new Italian government

National identity promoted over individual

Corporate state w/ economic control

New Nations of Eastern Europe

Turn to authoritarian gov in response to nationalist excitement, territorial rivalry, & economies based on aristocratic export ag

EX- Yugoslavia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania

1 of 3
Revolution in Russia



Poor social conditions & political ineffectiveness led to strikes, riots, & eventually overthrowing tsarist rule
Western reforms & liberal democracy doomed to fail

Weak liberal tradition, middle-class, & public support
Lenin & Bolshevik’s grab power & establish communist state

Soviet Union (USSR) is born

2 of 3
Revolution in Russia


Communists initially faced 2 major problems despite soviet support

Humiliating treaty ending WWI

Lack of broad support

Foreign hostility; Domestic resistance to loss of property, industrial nationalization, famine
Stability achieved through institutions

Red Army


New Economic Policy
Supreme Soviet

3 of 3
Revolution in Russia

Ultimately, revolution of great success that kept some tsarist traditions, but propelled new group to power

Societal change: education based on literacy, science & communism

Stalin succeeds Lenin with pragmatic, nationalistic brand of socialism

Sped industrialization & collectivization

Chapter 29, part2
Pg. 690-694, 699-703

Causes & Debacle of Economic Depression
Stock market surge (based on loans)
Post-War
Inflation
(illusion of prosperity)
Competition
& Rising
Efficiency
Overproduction
Bank failures
& dried up
Investment
1929 stock market crash
Lost
Confidence
Reduced prices & profits
Production slows
Rising unemployment
Economic collapse
Shattered social & political ideals

Economic Responses in Europe & U.S.



W. Euro gov’ts responded ineffectively


High tariffs & spending cuts further slow economies
Inspired political polarization or overthrow

EX – Popular Front
Scandinavia, the exception, increased spending which created a welfare state
U.S. initially duplicated European mistakes, but New Deal takes
Scandinavian approach by increasing spending & reforming banking

Restored faith in gov, preventing extreme political change

Germany – Nazi Political Response

Depression & Treaty of Versailles make fascism a clear choice

Fascist, totalitarian gov, led by Hitler, quickly crafted

Emphasized unity, strong leadership & military, economic planning

Used personal hatred of Jews to create scapegoat for all Germany’s ills

Hitler speech before
Reichstag (July 13,
1934) addressing his elimination of political opponents.
"I gave the order to shoot those who were the ringleaders in this treason, and I further gave the order to burn down to the raw flesh the ulcers of this poisoning of the wells in our domestic life. …I am ready to undertake the responsibility at the bar of history for … the dearest thing that has been given us in this world--the German people and the German
Reich!"

Europe – Fascism Spreads in Response



Hitler’s success led to spread of fascist ideas in E. Europe

Hungary, Romania
Spain experiences civil war as result of liberal feuds w/ authoritarian supporters

Not fully fascist, but new authoritarian gov takes root advancing conservatism
W. Euro & U.S. respond weakly, fearing another war & distracted by depression

Soviet Union - Stalinism



Buffered from depression effects by separate communist economy
Collectivization (collective farms)
+’s: share expensive machines, controlled peasants & free labor for industry
-’s: messy transition = famine, central planning w/ little incentives
Industrialization (major goal)


Overwhelming success
Five-year plans

Soviet Union - Stalinism

Industrialization met w/ incentives, welfare services, & problem-solving

Stalin exerted total control

Controlled arts & sciences

Used secret police & party purges ruthlessly

USSR gradually shift from inward focus to more active diplomacy