Causes of WWII
New Democracies were Unstable-
Citizens had little experience with democracy. Also, when difficulties arise in countries the weaknesses of a coalition are magnified. People may then be willing to sacrifice democracy in exchange for strong leadership. This happened in Italy, Germany, and other countries in the 1920s and 1930s.
The German Republic was Weak-
The new government set up in Germany in 1919 was the weimar
Republic. This government had weaknesses-- millions of Germans
viewed the weimar government as traitors because it signed the
treaty of Versailles.
Germany during the war simply printed more money to pay for
the war-- therefore the money began to collapse after Germany's
defeat in 1918-- super inflation. Most Germans simply blamed the
weimar Government for Germany's problems even though the war really
caused them.
Technology Changes
1920s Radio Mania swept the U.S.. By 1925 Families could buy
one for $25. (Later radio can be used for political support/propaganda).
Einstein- Gave new ideas on Space, Time, energy and matter.
The theory of relativity is the relative motion e=MC2. This theory
contributes to the Atomic Bomb at the end of the war.
Air Travel Begins- Most of the world's major passenger airlines
were established during the 1930s though it was still limited
to the rich.
The World Economy had weaknesses-
1. overproduction and underconsumption- Business produced
too much and consumers bought too little. Store owners could not
sell all they had, they cut back ordering, factories began to
lay off.
2. Plight of the Farmers- Farming became more like industry
and thus farmers became more dependent on the market prices. Farmers
also faced competition from abroad. So a world wide surplus of
agricultural products brought profits down. Many farmers could
not sell crops for profit and could not pay off loans. these bad
debts weakened banks.
3. Speculations in Stocks- The stock market crashed- Stock
holders lost $74 billion between 1929 and 1932. the crash swept
away fortunes among the upper class- so consumer spending dropped.
Americans got a sense of doubt and fear.
Depression Spreads world wide
After the American crash US investors began to call back their
loans to cope with the crises at home. Because of war debts, and
dependence on American loans, Germany and Austria were particularly
hit hard. A large Austrian bank failed and started financial panic
in central Europe. This started a downward spiral in the economy
world wide. Between 1929-1932 world manufacturing fell by 38%
and international trade dropped by 65%. Unemployment rates skyrocketed.
The world depression confronted democracies with a serious challenge
to their economic and political systems!!!
Each Country Tired to deal with these problems
in their own way.......