Download Germany - TeacherWeb

Germany
GOVERNMENT:
Two days before the end of World War I, Germany became a democratic republic. The new government held its
first national assembly in the town of Weimer (pronounced viemer). Thus, Germany in the 1920’s was often called the
Weimer Republic.
The Weimer Republic faced enormous problems from the start. First, the German people resented the
government’s signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The German people believed the treaty was far too punishing and
sever; therefore, they distrusted the government when it signed the treaty. In reality, the Weimer Republic had no
choice but to sign the treaty (unless it wanted the Allies to resume the war). The German people were hurting and
needed someone to blame. Soon Germany began to cry “Germany had been stabbed in the back” by the communists,
Jews, and liberals in the Weimer Republic.
In addition, the new government had far too many political parties. There were six major parties and many more
minor parties whose differences in beliefs made it hard to form a stable government that would work as a unified body
to bring better times to German. To make matters worse, many of the smaller political parties, such as the communists,
resorted to violence to overturn the new government. These actions of violence made the new government increasingly
dependent on the conservative German army…a bad partnership because the army also resented the Weimer Republic
and wanted a new government.
As Germany sunk deep into an economic depression in the 1930s, political matters became worse. The
economic hard time radicalized politics and divided the political parties in the government even more. Making decisions
for better Germany was impossible.
ECONOMY:
The German economy was in shambles after WWI. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles put a strain on a
country that had already been bankrupt for four years. Not only did Germany have to pay reparations foe the total cost
of the war, but they also lost valuable contributors to the German economy: 14.6% of farmable land; 74.5% of iron ore;
and 26% of coal production.
In the early 1920s, inflation rose in Germany. As prices rose higher and higher, the German people felt their
money was not worth anything. For example, in 1921, one U.S. dollar = 60 to 70 German marks. Two years later one
U.S. dollar = 840 billion marks. Basically, it took millions of marks to buy something as cheap as a postage stamp.
In 1922, the economy was so bad that Germany had to suspend war payments. The events that followed ended
up hurting the German economy even more. Since France heavily relied on the German payments to rebuild their wartorn country, they occupied the Ruhr Valley as a form of compensation. The Valley was a rich manufacturing district that
was near where about 4/5 of Germany’s supply of iron, steel, and coal was produced. Unhappy about France’s actions,
the workers in the Ruhr held strikes. The resulting slow-down in production and the decline in wages from striking
workers caused further inflation. This further inflation began to take its toll on the middle class who no longer had total
job security and suffered from a total decline in property values and other investments.
When the Great Depression of the 1930s spread across the glob Germany spiraled into economic chaos. In
addition to the terrible inflation, unemployment skyrocketed. Members of the working and middle class experienced
economic hard times as Germans were laid off. In 1928, 4% of German workers were unemployed; by 1932, 18% were
unemployed and the numbers continued to rise.
ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE:
Quotes from a variety of Germans:
General Josef Schectol: “I am sickened by the actions of the Weimer Republic. Germany fought a glorious war
only to be betrayed by a government of Jews and liberals who sold us out to the Allies.”
Veteran Paul Kravitz: “The Weimer Republic has betrayed the German people and especially the army that
fought so hard for their safety during the war. How could they sign a treaty that called for the virtual destruction
of the German army? Someday…Germany will find itself a government that will laugh in the face of the Allied
nations and rebuild the German army back to its glory and greatness.”
Hans Krauss: “To think that our once mighty Germany has been reduced to a puddle of weakness…I am
desperate for someone who promises a path to a better future.”
Ana Schneider: “My husband has lost his job, what are we to do? Our children will surely starve. We need help
but our government will not listen.”
Herta Hindenburg: “There has to be a reason for Germany’s crumbling…I have a sneaking suspicion that the
Jews and liberals are behind a scheme to bring the downfall of Germany as we know it.”
Wilhelm Schwarz: “My money is worth absolutely nothing! It costs million so marks to buy a loaf of bread; I am
desperate for a solution to our economic problems. Can’t anyone help the German people out of our misery?”
Russia/U.S.S.R
GOVERNMENT:
While the Industrial Revolution was transforming Western Europe, Russia
remained largely agricultural. Most Russian peasants were bound to the land as serfs,
basically slaves to landowners. In the early 1900’s, Russian radicals worked secretly
for revolution, Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday, and World
War I all added fuel to the fire. Riots and strikes in March 1917 forced the
abdication of the Czar. When the provisional government, led by Kerensky, continued
to fight in World War I, a man named Lenin returned to Russia from Germany to lead
a communist revolution.
In November 1917, Lenin’s communists came into power. The new government
ended Russia’s involvement in WWI, divided land among the peasants, and took control
of major industries. The following summer, civil war broke out between the Reds
(communists) and Whites (monarchists). The Reds won and the name of Russia was
changed to the Soviet Union.
Lenin government by dividing the country into several regions, which each had a
soviet, or a worker’s council with political power. The regions were all guided by the
national soviet, or government council. Lenin died soon after, leaving an internal
struggle within the government over who would replace Lenin.
ECONOMY:
When Russia pulled out of World War I, nearly two million soldiers were dead,
and almost five million were wounded. Civilian losses stood at more than two million,
these losses, as well as the ongoing civil war left the Russian/Soviet economy
devastated
More than eighty percent of the population of the country lived in rural areas,
and people continued to live as their ancestors had for hundreds of years before
them, tending small fields in the countryside. Those who could get jobs in the cities
were not much better off. Working conditions in Russian factories were poor, and
wages were miserably low. While the upper ten percent, the elite wealthy, attended
the ballet and the theatre, lived in extravagant palaces, and wore jewels and silks,
ninety percent of the population was very poor, and many people were starving to
death.
When Lenin assumed power he attempted to modernize the Soviet Union and
introduce some western methods of farming and factory work. Many resented the
push towards industrialization and western modernization. In addition, the change to a
communist society included the concepts of collective ownership of land.
ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE:
Quotes from a variety of Russians:
Anastatia Kronkoski, factory worker: “Workers of the world unite! At last we
have a communist country. For so long we have suffered under the heel of the
corrupt Czar and his family. We must now pledge to do whatever it takes for
become one with each other! Long love the Soviet Union!”
Lukyan Losolovicchovski, blacksmith: “I believed in the tradition of Russia – in
the Czar, in the land. I refuse to make an iron plough to till my fields … I am
willing to listen to any leader if he can help change to come about. I know we
need change if this country is to become great again.”
Eva Plodnikski: “My husband was killed in the ear against the Germans, and I
have been left with six children to raise. I own a small farm, but have been told
that under communism there is no ownership that is private. I would be willing
to give up my farm and work for one cause if I can be assured that my children
will be taken care of. I want to see order and pride restored in my children, in
me, in all of Russia.”
Italy
GOVERNMENT:
Italy, after its re-unification in 1871, was governed by a Premier,
or Prime Minister, and a parliament. However, the government was very
weak. There were regional conflicts between the rural south and the
industrialized north. Five million Italians moved to the United States
and Argentina between 1860 and 1910 due to the social unrest which the
government could not control.
Italy fought for colonies from 1910 – 1914, and became an imperial
power during this time, gaining land in Africa. Italy also forged a
treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Italy betrayed this alliance
when it entered WWI on the side of the Allies.
In the four years after the end of World War I, five premiers came
and went, either because of their incompetence or because of the
difficulty of the economic and social problems they faced. Parliament
was also unable to provide any positive change.
ECONOMY:
Italy hoped to gain much land from the Treaty of Versailles, but
did not. Many Italians were bitter and angry about that outcome,
believing that due to the high number of dead and wounded from the war,
the reward should have been much greater. The Italians especially though
they deserved land around the Adriatic Sea and in the Alps, land
formerly held by Austria-Hungary.
Italy lost 650,000 men in the War. One million more men were
wounded. Besides the loss in manpower, Italy came out the war suffering
much economic damage. Inflation and disrupted trade patterns hampered
recovery of the economy after the war. The cost of living went up 500
percent during the war years, and there was little improvement after the
end of the War.
Furthermore, there were not enough jobs for the returning soldiers,
and many other Italians were also unemployed. Food shortages developed
all over the country. The countryside was filled with discontent and
starving peasant farmers; the cities were filled with unemployed,
unhappy residents.
ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE:
Quotes from a variety of Italians:
Leonardo Vincengi, World War I Veteran: “I am a proud man, but this
war has ruined my life. I gladly fought for my country, but what
did I receive when I returned? A family with empty stomachs and no
job. What am I to do? It is time that Italy has a leader that puts
Italians back to work. And as for those French and English – they
betrayed a great country in the writing of the Treaty of Versailles
– we deserved much land, but we got nothing, I demand change –
someone must step forward to help us.”
Santonio Micheloni, factory worker: “I work long hours for
pay. The government cannot seem to do anything to help. We
help. We need to recapture the glory days of Ancient Rome.
Italians, We are proud. We need someone to lead us back to
little
need
We are
glory.”
Nicoli Castoligini, Factory Owner: “I am afraid of a communist
workers revolt – I cannot pay enough money to my workers and they
are unhappy. The liberals talk about voting for members of
parliament to help us – who wants to vote? What good will that do?
I want action!!! We need a strong leader, not a weak-hearted
premier.”
Spain
GOVERNMENT:
During the time period after World War I, Spain experienced chaos and confusion
in its different governments. Led by an unskilled King, Alfonso XIII, and unable to keep a
lasting government cabinet that would impose order, Spain was a country torn apart by
strikes and terrorism. The political situation became worse as the country became
increasingly upset with a war being fought with Morocco (in Africa). The government was
too helpless to stop a “reign of terror” that was unleashed by the Spanish Army against
any critics. Also, the King became a target for blame as the Spanish army suffered huge
losses in the Moroccan War in 1921.
A military uprising in 1923 temporarily saved the government. However, when its
leader, Dictator General Primo de Rivera began attacks on intellectuals and had sever
problems with managing finances, causing a great economic depression; de Rivera was
kicked out of power. The King was also forced out of power one year later.
The resulting power gap left room for the creation of the Second Spanish Republic.
This government was also filled with problems because it divided the country into two
groups: on the left side – the, liberals, socialists, workers, landless peasants, and
intellectuals and on the right side – the Catholic Church, the Army, large landowners, and
small farmers. The first two years were lead by the left side and although it brought
some reform, Spain was still troubled by acts of violence and striking. In 1933, the right
side won more power. This more conservative government undid many of the recent
reforms and crushed any worker uprisings. Upset by these events, the liberals, socialist,
and communists formed a group called the Popular Front. In 1936, in a back and forth
tug-of-war, the Popular Front regained power in the government. The right side
revolted, starting the Spanish Civil War.
ECONOMY:
The economic prosperity that Spain enjoyed during WWI quickly came to an end
with the peace of the war. In the post-war period, Spain was a country plagued with two
main problems. First, as a newly industrialized country, it was unable to manage the
affairs of its increasing industry. Second, it was a country whose land-ownership was
based on the unequal system of the wealthy few who owned large land-holding estates
and the impoverished many who worked the land.
Due to both of these factors and the mismanagement of the economy by the weak
Spanish government, Spain experienced an economic depression during the post-war
period. It’s weak government could not deal with the continual labor strikes of workers
who were frustrated with low wages and the high prices of goods. As Spain’s depression
increased with the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s, unemployment became
an additional problem.
ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE:
Quotes from a variety of Spanish.
Antonio Cintas, Industrial Worker: “I am tired of receiving a low wage for my long
hours, I support the workers’ right to strike and will fight for a country where its
workers are paid well and treated with respect.”
Father Lozano, Catholic Priest: “I am horrified at the lack of respect the Catholic
Church is getting in this country. Yesterday, our parish’s convent was burned to
the ground by leftists who believe the Catholic Church is too powerful. I pray for
the future of the nation and for a government that will be strong, sensible, and
stable.”
Maria Cristina Gonzalez, landless peasant: “I cannot remember my last peaceful
day…from early morning until the black of night, my life is filled with pain and
suffering. I am bound to working a land that is not mine, so I may put a scarce
amount of food on the table for my children. I fear for their future in a country
where prosperity only belongs to those with power and money. In my state of
desperation, I would support anyone who promised my family and me a better life
and future.”
General Jose Riviera: “As I watch the chaos and confusion that holds down our once
great nation, I am assured that the only solution is to have the military run the
government. We along know everything there is to know about order and control.”
Japan
Government:
Hirohito became emperor of Japan in 1926. As emperor he was a living god and the
nation’s supreme authority. However, in reality he simply approved policies that were created
by the Japanese government. During the 1920s the Japanese government was led by a Prime
Minister and the Diet, the Japanese Parliament. By 1925 all adult men had the right to vote.
However, the government was faced with new challenges as the economy began to fall apart
and western ideas began to spread throughout Japan.
In the cities, members of the younger generation were in revolt against tradition. The
adopted western fads and fashions and rejected family authority for the western idea of
individual freedom.
At the same time tension between the military and government increased. The military
blasted government corruption and the adoption of western values. These military leaders
became extreme nationalists or ultranationalists and they condemned the government’s
interaction with the west. These ultranationalists wanted to expand the Japanese empire to get
much needed raw materials and more land. As the military began to successfully take over land
in Asia, they became more and more popular. “Patriotic” societies were formed that
assassinated politicians and leading businessmen that opposed Japanese land expansion. By the
1930s the military dominated the once democratic government.
Economy:
During World War I, the Japanese economy experienced strong growth, however once the
war ended, so did the economic expansion. In the 1920’s Japan faced the slowest growing
economy in years. Rural peasants enjoyed none of the prosperity of city-dwellers. In the cities,
factory workers earning low wages were attracted to communist ideas. In 1929, the Great
Depression rippled across the Pacific, striking Japan with devastating force. Trade suffered as
foreign buyers could no longer afford Japanese products such as silk. Unemployment in the
cities soared, while in the country-side peasants were only a mouthful away from starvation.