Causes&of&the&GreatDepression& - Tim · PDF file•...
Transcript of Causes&of&the&GreatDepression& - Tim · PDF file•...
Paris Peace Conference
• By 1918 the figh>ng in WWI had stopped, but the war its self was not yet over
• In January 18, 1919 diplomats from many na>ons gathered in the city of Versailles (near Paris) to permanently end the war and establish the terms of peace – The conference in Versailles was also known as the Paris Peace Conference
Big Four
• Big four”, Allied Powers, dominated the proceedings that lead to the Treaty of Versailles – United Kingdom, France, United States and Italy – Prime Minister David Lloyd George (Bri>sh), President Woodrow Wilson (U.S.), Premier Georges Clemenceau (French), and Premier ViTorio Orlando (Italy)
Big Four
• Members of the “Big Four” had different desires: – Wilson (U.S.)-‐ wanted a “fair and las>ng peace” and wrote his plan, the Fourteen Points, in hopes to achieve this peace • Fourteen Points-‐ reduce armed forces in all na>ons, and create a League of Na>ons to ensure peace • Wilson fought hard to incorporate his Fourteen Points into the treaty, but he was unable to • However, Wilson’s idea of the League of Na>ons was included in the treaty
Big Four
• Different desires (cont.): – Clemenceau (France)-‐ wanted Germany to pay for the war • Included: stripping their land and their armed forces
– George (Britain)-‐ personally, he agreed with Wilson, but he was affected by public opinion and agreed with Clemenceau
Treaty of Versailles • Treaty of Versailles-‐ compromises reached at the Paris Peace Conference to punish Germany and ensure las>ng peace – included the forma>on of the League of Na>ons
• Selected Terms of the Treaty: – Territory
• Land captured by Germany was to be returned • Addi>onal land was to be given to France • Poland became an independent country = cut Germany’s and in two.
Treaty of Versailles • Selected Terms of the Treaty (cont.): – Arms:
• War>me weapons were to be scrapped • The German army was cut to 100,000 men, the Navy was reduced to 36 ships and no submarines, and they were banned from having an Air Force
• Union between Germany and Austria was banned – Repara>ons and Guilt:
• Germany had to accept total blame for the war • Germany had to pay compensa>on
– The League of Na<ons: • A League of Na>ons was to be created to prevent further world conflict
League of Na>ons
• League of Na<ons-‐ objec>ve was to maintain universal peace and prevent another war – Woodrow Wilson (U.S. President) was the founder and a strong advocate for the League of Na>ons
– Summer of 1919 President Wilson proposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Na>ons to the Senate for ra>fica>on
League of Na>ons
• League of Na>ons (cont.): – November 19, 1919 U.S. Senate voted not to be a part of the league of na>ons • Senate majority leader, Henry Cabot Lodge, republican opponent of Wilson – “Wilson’s poli>cal nemesis”
• Lodge gave a speech explaining the various reasons why he was opposed to the League of Na>ons
OPVL: Speech by Henry Cabot Lodge A part of Henry Cabot Lodge’s campaign, “I think of the United States first”. Speech given on opposi<on of Treat of Versailles The independence of the United States is not only more precious to ourselves but to the world… Look at the United States today. We have made mistakes in the past. We have had shortcomings. We shall make mistakes in the future and fall short of our own best hopes. But is there any country today on the face of the earth which can compare with this in ordered liberty, in peace, and in the largest freedom?… I have always loved one flag and I cannot share that devo>on [with] a mongrel banner created for a League. You may call me selfish if you will, conserva>ve or reac>onary, or use any other harsh adjec>ve you see fit to apply. But an American I was born, an American I have remained all my life. I can never be anything else but an American, and I must think of the United States first, and when I think of the United States first in an arrangement like this, I am thinking of what is best for the world – for if the United States fails, the best hopes of mankind fail with it. I have never had but one allegiance; I cannot divide it now. I have loved but one flag and I cannot share that devo>on and give affec>on to the mongrel banner invented for a league. Interna>onalism, illustrated by the Bolshevik and by the men to whom all countries are alike… is to me repulsive… We are told that we shall ‘break the heart of the world’ if we do not take this league as it stands. I fear that the hearts of the vast majority of mankind would beat on strongly and steadily and without any quickening if the league were to perish altogether… No doubt many excellent and patrio>c people see a coming fulfillment of noble ideals in the words ‘league for peace.’ We all respect and share these aspira>ons and desires – but some of us see no hope, but rather defeat for them in this murky covenant. For we too have our ideals, even if we differ from those who have tried to establish a monopoly of idealism.
OPVL: Speech by Henry Cabot Lodge (Summary)
• It is of most importance that the United States remains independent, because no other country can compare to the liber>es offered in the U.S.
• The United States serves as a hope for the rest of man kind, and if the country were to fail the hopes of man kind would also fail
• Once born an American, always an American – He can only love one flag (U.S.) and cannot share devo>on to flag created specifically for the League
• Interna>onalism is impulsive • Many people believe that it would be noble to join the “league of peace” for they s>ll have hope – But some people remain hopeless and defeated
OPVL: Speech by Henry Cabot Lodge
• Origin: – Speech given by Henry Cabot Lodge on March 4, 1919
• Purpose: – Explain to the U.S. Senate (who would be vo>ng on this issue) that staying uninvolved in interna>onal issues would be in the best interest of the our country
– Lodge's purpose of giving this speech could have also been a way to insult President Wilson’s idea of the League of Na>ons
OPVL: Speech by Henry Cabot Lodge
• Value: – This speech gives one an inside view of how Republicans of the >me viewed the Treaty of Versailles
• Limita<on: – Since this primary source was given in the form of a speech, it was probably proof read and censored • No longer purely a personal opinion
Germany’s Economy • The Treaty of Versailles ordered Germany to pay back huge
sums in repara>on to the Allies • 1921-‐ Germany was unable to pay
– 1923-‐ Germany began to print money which caused hyperinfla>on through out the country
• 1924 to 1929-‐ “Golden Years” the U.S. lent Germany large amounts of money, allowing the German economy to stabilize
• Wall Street Crash (1929)-‐ The collapse of the U.S. stock market led to the collapse of the U.S. economy – America sought to regain all the loans they had lent to Germany – Germany was unable to pay back their debts – Since the U.S. was an imperial power at the >me, their economic
issues also effected other countries
History of recessions (1850 forward) and their impact on the Great Depression
Panic of 1857 (-‐23.1%) Lasted 1½ years
• Causes: • Value of western land fell – Migra>on began to slow down
• Lack of demand for American goods in Europe – Merchants and investors were unable to pay back debts
• Railroads began to fail – Decreased the value of railroad stocks and bonds
History of recessions (1850 forward)
Panic of 1857 (-‐23.1%) • Causes (cont.): • Banks financed the expansion to the west
– Felt the pressure with the decline in the railroad business • Grain prices fell
– Farmers experienced a loss in revenue – Foreclosed their land
• Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company – Large mortgage holdings and >es to na>onal banks – Brought aTen>on to the financial state of the land market and railroad
industry
History of recessions (1850 forward)
Long Depression (-‐33.6%) Lasted 5½ years
• Causes: • European economic problems led to the failure of the largest
bank in the United States • Price of silver decreased
– Hurt North American mining interests – Wage cuts and labor turmoil
• 1879-‐ United States returned to the gold standard
History of recessions (1850 forward)
Depression of 1920 (-‐38.1%) Lasted 1½ years
• Causes: • Ater the end of WWI the U.S. struggled through the
peace>me economy – Factories focusing on war>me products shutdown – Men coming back from the war who needed jobs
• Gold Standard – Caused significant infla>on of bank credit and paper claims
• Although it was short, this recession was extremely painful
The Effects on the Great Depression
• The U.S. was used to having recession, as they were a reoccurring economical cycle – Many >mes the United States was able to put and end to the recessions by s>mula>ng the economy
• The Great Depression was completely different then anything other recession the U.S. had to overcome – The dura>on of the Great Depression (12 years) was longer than any other recession
– The solu>ons used for previous recessions did not have an impact on the Great Depression
Bibliography • "The Paris Peace Conference." The Paris Peace Conference.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. • "The League of Na>ons, 1920 -‐ 1914–1920 -‐ Milestones -‐
Office of the Historian." The League of Na3ons, 1920 -‐ 1914–1920 -‐ Milestones -‐ Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2015.
• "The Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles -‐ 1914–1920 -‐ Milestones -‐ Office of the Historian." The Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles -‐ 1914–1920 -‐ Milestones -‐ Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.
• "The Long Depression of 1873: Parallels and Comparisons. Are We Missing Economic Informa>on from an Important Piece of American Financial History?" My Budget 360 RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.