The Great Depression WWII 1919 1945 German Depression

The Great Depression & WWII 1919 -1945

German Depression • Germany’s government: Weimar Republicvery weak • Germany did not increase wartime taxes; just printed more money • Result was HUGE inflation • Had to pay reparations for WWI; just printed more money. Made inflation worse • German prosperity returns as a result of the Dawes plan

• What statement might this picture make about the value of German currency during the Great Depression?

American Financial Collapse • American Economy sustained world economy in 1920 s • US ECN had weaknesses: – Uneven distribution of wealth – Overproduction by business and agriculture – Many Americans were buying less • American farmers and business owners stopped making profit and were unable to pay off their loans

All of these men are applying for ONE job!

American Financial Collapse • 1929, Black Tuesday. NYC’s Wall Street Stock Market Crash – Investors noticed that stock prices were unnaturally high – Started selling stocks – Tried to lower prices gradually; ended up being downward plummet – Everyone wanted to sell; no one wanted to buy – Market collapsed

This leads to a run on banks…. .

The Great Depression • Stock market crash quickened ECN problems • Factory production cut in half • US Government tried to tax imports heavily; hurt US and overseas businesses • Britain’s success – Passed high protective tariffs – Increased taxes – Lowered interest rates – Regulated currency – Brought about slow but steady recovery

The Great Depression • US recovers – 1932 Presidential election: Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected president – Sets up government reform called The New Deal Includes large public works projects Large amounts of public money spent on welfare Regulated stock market and banking system Preserved country’s faith in the American Democratic System • Eventually, US involvement in WWII pulled us out of depression • •

FDR vs. incumbent Herbert Hoover

World War II

• • WWII Agressors Italy: Fascists- led by Mussolini Germany: Nazis- led by Hitler Japan: militarist- led by Hirohito Spain: socialist- led by Fransisco Franco

Attempts at Peace • US follows isolationist policy • Germany expands the 3 rd Reich • Hitler continues to march into countries and annex them. • Appeasement: – Munich Conference, Sept. 29 th 1938 – Decide to give Hitler the Sudetenland – Hitler promises to respect Czechoslovakia’s borders – 6 months later, Hitler annexes Czechoslovakia

• Nonaggression pact signed by the Nazis (Germans) and the Soviets (Russians) • Stalin and Hitler agreed never to attack one another • Italy, Germany, and Russia- the Axis powers

The European Campaign • Soviet troops occupy the eastern half of Poland • Fall of France • Dunkirk • Battle of Britain • Hitler invades Russia • Mussolini in Ethiopia • US undeclared naval war with Germany

The Eastern Front • Japan attacks Pearl Harbor • Battle of Midway • Battle of Guadalcanal- 43: 28 WWII HD Episode 1 • Battle of Iwo Jima See page 933 in the text. Discuss warm up answers.

Allied Victory • North African Campaign • Battle of Stalingrad • Invasion of Italy • D-day invasion- Deception: • Battle of the Bulge See page 942 in the text. Answer questions 1 and 2. • Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• Germany has unconditional surrender • Japan surrenders and is then occupied by the US • Nuremburg trials held those responsible for the Holocaust accountable for their crimes • Famine and disease spread throughout Europe b/c transportation system was destroyed by European battles