Resource Description

Year 12 Course

 

Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919-1946 (Germany)

National Studies: Russia

Peace and Conflict: Conflict in Europe 1935-45

Change in the Modern World: Apartheid in South Africa 1960-94

 

Core Study: Power and Authority Germany

Survey

• An overview of the peace treaties which ended WWI and their consequences

What : Between 1919-20, the victorious allied powers held the Paris Peace Conference to formalise peace terms for the defeated central powers, the outcome was 5 peace treaties; 

• The League of Nations 

• Treaty of Versailles 

• Treaty of Saint-German-en-Laye

• Treaty of Neuilly-sur-sienne 

• Treaty of Trianon

• Treaty of Sevres 

 

The League of Nations

• 1st worldwide IGO, principle mission: maintain peace 
• aimed to prevent wars through disarmament and collective security 

Treaty of Versailles 

• Took 6 months of Allied negotiations at PPC to conclude a peace treaty 
• Germany was required to disarm, make territorial concessions and pay the equivalent of approx. US$ 442b 

Treaty of Trianon 

• Hungary lost territory to Romania and Yugoslavia 
• Military reduced to 35000 standing army 

Treaty of Saint-German 

• Austria loses territory to Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy 
• Military reduced to 35,000 

 

Focus of study: Germany

 

The rise of dictatorships after WWI

• The conditions that enabled dictators to rise to power in the interwar period

• Pre-war situation 

• Years before the war were viewed as an idyllic period of peace.
• Rapid growth of population urbanisation and technological developments.
• Rise of theories (ie. Marxist, Mein Kampf)  ideals created an increased desire for revolution.
• Creation of unions that supported oppressed groups.
• Extremist groups began rising in popularity.

• Impact of WW1

• Sparked revolution in Russia (abdication of Tsar Nicholas), Germany & Hungary.
• Governments became accustomed to authoritarian powers.
• Brewing concepts of hatred, violence and revenge amongst nations ie. resentment of treaty of versailles by germany.

• The Paris Peace Conference 

• • • Germany rallied against the unjust Treaty of Versailles which also pushed them into further economic hardships.
    • Italy felt as though they had been ‘cheated’.
    • Japan was angered by the rejection of their racial equality clause.
    • Economic unity of the pre-war era disappeared.
    • Economic instability left nations vulnerable to the Great Depression.

• Europe’s political conference 

• Nations began vying for national independence from empires.

• • • Lack of national identity, leaving a vacuum for charismatic leaders such as hitler to fill
    • Political parties were attributed to single sectors of society ie. the soviets.
    • Governmental process was unstable.
    • Public had lost faith in government institutions and perceptions of democracy became one of instability.
    • Disunity & instability created foundations for which dictators could exploit.

• Charismatic leaders 

• • • Instability of the post-war period left European nations longing for “strong” leaders.
    • Hitler, Mussolini and Franco offered simple solutions to long term issues which enticed the masses, also created a renewed sense of pride and purpose within the public, unified the public by identifying a new common enemy and highlighting “injustice” which these people face. 
    • Placed themselves above the masses, e.g. Hitler as the ‘Fuhrer’, Mussolini as ‘il Duce’.

• Economic situation

• • Played a role in undermining liberal democracy, ie. economic hardships caused german people to lose faith in Weinmar Republic.
  • Global economic instability ie. high unemployment in the 1930’s meant public sought other leaders who offered solutions
  • Economic issues also impacted public attitude, high unemployment created many angry men who were willing to be told they had a higher purpose. 
  • Collapse of agriculture lowered national incomes and spending power.