Honors World History
Between The Wars
France
During the Great War, over 1.6 million French military personnel and
civilians lost their lives. This left France devoid of a strong working age
population. In addition to the human casualties, the war had taken its toll
on the environment. The damage and destruction left a huge scare on
the landscape, making economic recovery tricky. However, as a
member of the winning side, France obtained new tracts of territory,
including the Alsace-Lorraine access to coal from the Saar Valley.
In regards to internal politics, France suffered from a lack of stable
leadership. Throughout its seventy year history, the Third Republic
experienced a multitude of problems stemming from inept leadership and
a growing rift between the right and the left. The growing distention
between those advocating a return to the monarchy, greater
democracy, and stronger socialism made it very difficult to reach political
consensus.
Economically, France had not fared well in the post war world. The
damage to the environment, farmland, and industry would take time to
recover from . France's GDP had decreased significantly. To compound
the financial woes, France owed a huge amount of money as a result of
war debt. This was only worsened by a decline in international trade and
a steep rise in inflation.
Additionally, France was left with a feeling of increased vulnerablility.
The French government wanted to ensure that it would be ready to
withstand another invasion. So despite the economic troubles, the
government continued to spend money rebuilding the army. A main task
was to construct a fortified border to prevent another German invasion.
The Maginot Line, a series of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, and
machine gun posts was designed to provide time for the French army to
mobilize if need be.
Finally, despite the tragic lesson of the alliance systems of WWI, France
and other nations continued along this path. France was a signatory of
the Treaty of Versailles, and thus a participant in the League of nations.
France also participated in the Locarno treaties which sought to redraw
the borders of Western Europe in a way that would penalize Germany. In
addition to these international treaties, the French created separate
alliances with Poland, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Yugoslavia, Romania, and
Great Britain.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Great Britain
After WWI the death count in Great Britain neared one million, however
Britain lost far fewer civilians than did the continental combatants. Britain
suffered from the loss of many merchant ships that had been victim to
both blockades and submarine attack. On the positive side, Britain did
acquire a number of Germany's overseas territories.
Politically, Britain remained quite stable during the Great War, however
after the conflict, Britain witnesses the growth of a new political party. The
Labour Party had emerged late in the 19th century, but gained ground
after the war. The working class of Britain turned to The Labour party for
leadership.
Like many of the allies, Britain had amassed a considerable war debt
during the conflict. Most of the debt was owed to the United States. With
the damage to Britain's merchant fleet and the decline of global trade as
a result of the Great Depression, Britain's economy was weakened. This
was only exacerbated by a rise in inflation.
As an island nation, Britain realized that protection of the people was
contingent on a strong navy. The government continued near wartime
levels of spending in order to revamp the navy in an effort to maintain
naval superiority.
Finally, the sun was beginning to set on the British empire. The rise of
nationalism as an ideal spread quickly to all parts of the colonial empire.
Colonies were beginning to clamor for their independence. Britain was a
signatory in both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact with sought
to stabilize European boundaries.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Italy
Immediately after the war, Italy was forced to deal with a series of
realities. First and for most, there was the tragedy of loss of life. Italy lost
many young men, there were over one million civilian and military
casualties together. In addition, the Italian people were left with a sense
of unfair treatment by the Versailles Treaty. While their ally France won
territorial gains, Italy was not really awarded any of the spoils of war.
As a fairly new country, Italy's constitutional monarchy was tested by the
horrors of war. The constitutional monarchy was replaced when in 1919,
the sitting prime minister, Benito Mussolini began creating a totalitarian
state. Fascism as a political philosophy put the needs of the state above
everything, including individual rights. The Fascism regime was fueled by
Italian nationalism.
Italy, like many of her European allies was left with a resounding war debt,
suffered from inflation, unemployment, and a fierce round of labor strikes.
The Fascist movement was able to channel this labor unrest into support
for their policies. The Fascist economic nationalism was then used to fund
an expanded armed forces.
On the international front, Italy had participated in both the Treaty of
Versailles and the Locarno parts, but had felt short changed by both. Italy
continued to quest to be a global power and in 1936 made a treaty with
Germany and finally defeated Ethiopia. The Ethiopian invasion was met
with harsh words from the League of Nations. In response, Italy left the
League in 1937.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Germany
Germany was forced to suffer after WWI. The nation was held responsible
for the conflict, despite not being the only member of the Central Powers.
Germany was left with over 2 million war deaths, was assessed the total
war debt and then to add insult to injury was forced to give up both
colonial possessions and valuable European territory.
The Kaiser was replaced by a democracy concocted by Germany's
enemies. The new government was known as the Weimar Republic. The
Weimar Republic exercised very little real power through the years
following the war and was easily taken over by a democratically elected
Hitler and the Nazi Party.
The Weimar Republic was unable to stabilize Germany's economy and
attempted to solve problems by continuing to print money. This massive
inflation was driven so high, eventually it would take a wheel barrow full of
marks to purchase a loaf of bread. Germany suffered from high
unemployment. With these issues, it was impossible for the Weimar
Republic to service the war debt imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles had strictly forbade the militarization of Germany.
In an attempt to address the issue of prewar arms race, Germany was not
to exceed a very limited number of troop building and spending. Despite
these prohibitions, Germany constructed a massive military build up after
the ascendancy of the Nazi party.
Internationally, Germany had been forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles
and had participated in the Locarno Pact. In 1933 when Hitler was voted
as Chancellor, Germany withdrew from the League of nations. In 1936
Hitler signed an alliance with Mussolini, and in 1938, began to annex
Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Russia
Russia suffered the most casualties during World War I, despite leaving the
conflict before its conclusion. Over three million civilian and military
personnel were left dead. Additionally, the country transitioned right from
war to revolution, ensure there was no immediate recovery.
Politically, Russia was in turmoil in the post war years. Czar Nicholas II had
abdicated the throne in the revolutionary fervor, the Bolsheviks had taken
control over the government lead by Vladamir Lenin. Eventually, Joseph
Stalin became General Secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet
Union and governed as a dictator through the party.
Economically, Stalin's leadership put the Russian people on the road to
recovery quickly. As an agrarian nation, the country was not hit as hard
as other European states by the Great Depression. Additionally, Stalin
instituted a policy of agricultural collectivization and rapid industrialization
known as the Five-Years Plans. After the Soviet economy started to gain its
footing, the government began to spend money. IN the 1930s, the Soviets
began a moderate military build up.
Finally, the Soviets were not a member of the League of Nations and were
very focused on internal matters rather than international affairs. Despite
this look inward, the Soviets still looked at Germany as a potential threat.
Early in the Soviet history, they signed an alliance with France as
preventative measures. However it came as quite an international
surprise when the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed in 1939. The Pact
was in essence a non-aggression promise between the Germans and the
Soviets.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Japan
Japan was not a significant combatant during World War I on the
European front, however it did benefit from the conflict. Japan took
control over several German holdings in the Pacific and managed to
open and gain control over new trade markets.
After the end of the Meiji era, Japan had constructed a constitutional
monarchy and continued on a path towards increasing democracy. This
lasted until there was a military take over of the government in the 1930s.
As Japan began to aggressively expand, so did its economy. It found
new trade markets and increased its industrial output considerably. It
benefited by industrializing later in the game, however the nation did lack
natural resources and materials. A lot of the Japanese profits were filtered
into its increasing military power. The military might was seen as a means
to an end in terms of gaining new land for resources.
Finally, Japan had endeavored on a very aggressive foreign policy
approach. The nation formally attacked Manchuria in 1931 and set up a
puppet government called Manchuko. Rather than listen to the
complaints proposed in the League of Nations, Japan left the league in
1933. Japan formally cemented its relationships with the Germans and
the Italians when it signed the Tripartite Pact in 1940.
Honors World History
Between The Wars
China
After WWI, China was disappointed at the Versailles peace conference
because the Western Powers maintained a treaty system which protected
Western privileges and the right of extraterritoriality. Japan retained many
German concessions which were taken during the war and this further
threatened Chinese positions.
Internally, China was facing many political challenges. The communist
party was organized in 1921, the Kuomintang (nationalist party) was lead
by Sun Yat-sen and later Chiang Kaishek. The Kuomintang and the
communists turned to the USSR for assistance in unifying the country,
together the parties defeated warlordism and united the nations.
Eventually the two parties split and fought a civil war until 1937 when they
united to fight the Japanese invasion.
Economically, the Chinese had been left weakened by conflict and
foreign incursions. They were unsuccessful in establishing protective tariffs
and ending free trade concessions forced by the US and European
powers. Further penetration of by Japanese markets continued to
undermine China's economic sovereignty.
Militarily, both the Kuomintang and the Chinese Red Army expanded.
Initially this was to wage war on each other. Eventually the investment
were used to battle the Japanese.
China never accepted the Treaty of Versailles, however they did join the
League of Nations. Despite early help from the Soviets, the Kuomintang
expelled Russian advisers in 1928. When Japan invaded Manchuria in
1931, China appealed toe the League, which proved to be impotent in
protecting China or stopping Japanese aggression. Officially, China was
in a state of war with the Japanese from 1931-1945,
Honors World History
Between The Wars
Between The Wars: the 1920s and 1930s
Immediate
Internal
WWI
Politics
Impact
France
Germany
Italy
Britain
Economy
Military
Progress
Internat'l
Relations
Honors World History
Immediate
Internal
WWI
Politics
Impact
Russia
Japan
China
US
Between The Wars
Economy
Military
Progress
Internat'l
Relations