EUROPE – HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS

SS6H3 Explain conflict and change in Europe.

a. Describe the aftermath of World War I: the rise of communism, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazism, and worldwide depression.

NOTES:

World War I—The spark was the assassination of

Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was a Prince and lead-

er in Austria-Hungary.

4 M.A.I.N Causes of World War I -

1. Militarism—building up of military/arms

2. Alliances—2 or more countries joining sides

3. Imperialism-countries trying to extend their em-

pires by seizing other territories, for Gold, God and

Glory.

4. Nationalism—devotion to one’s country; could be

positive (patriotism), or negative (greedy and de-

structive; anti other countries)

2 Alliances in WWI -

Triple Alliance-Germany, Italy, Austria -Hungary

Triple Entente—France, Great Britain, Russia

Germany, who had built up arms for 20+ years,

was tired of being sandwiched in the middle of

Europe. After the spark of the assassination,

they quickly made an alliance with Austria-

Hungary and were ready to use the weapons

they had built up to expand German territory.

Other countries began taking sides and making

alliances, and suddenly Europe was at war.

Post World War I-

TREATY OF VERSAILLES- Peace treaty signed by

Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Russia and

made Germany take responsibility for WWI.

Germany was primarily blamed for World War I. If

they had stayed out of the war between Austria-

Hungary and Serbia/Russia, the war would not have

escalated to a “world” war.

Conditions of the Treaty-

1. Took land from Germany.

2. Made Germany pay reparations.

3. Germany’s military was reduced to half the

size it was.

GREAT DEPRESSION—worldwide depression

Began with the Stock Market Crash in 1929 in the

United States. Europe was still recovering from

the destruction of WWI.

Europe began to feel the effects of the Great

Depression around 1932 due to:

Tariffs (taxes) placed on Europe’s imports to

the US.

US banking problems spread to other nations.

Banks in Europe and the United States were

linked through loans that were given.

RISE OF NAZISM- Nazi Party was a small, fascist, German

political party.

The Nazis and Hitler rose to power because the Ger-

mans were angered by the punishments they re-

ceived from the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler promised to

rebuild Germany’s military and regain the land that

Germany lost in the treaty. He promised the Germans

they would be great again. Extreme nationalism, rac-

ism against Jewish people. (anti-Semitism)

The Nazi party gained strength during the Great De-

pression, and eventually Hitler was elected head of

Germany’s government in 1933.

Hitler was a dictator, and would imprison or kill any-

one that opposed his views.

Germany’s economy improved, so Germans accept-

ed the Nazi rule and did not speak out.

b. Explain the rise of Nazism including preexisting prejudices, the use of propaganda, and events which resulted in the Holocaust.

c. Explain how German reunification contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and led to the end of the Cold War.

COMMUNISM— economic and political system

Run by the Communist Party.

Russia became Communist after the Russian Revolution.

Became the Soviet Union.

Promise to share wealth among all workers; provided

economic security.

Government makes decisions: individual’s rights are much

less important.

FASCISM— political system that stresses national, and military

strength. Focus on MILITARY strength.

Government interests more important that individual’s rights.

Fascist party controls all aspects of life.

WORLD WAR II -

Axis Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan

Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, (later) United States

Hitler was determined to build a mighty German empire across

Europe. In Sept. 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later,

Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II had

begun. Dec. 7, 1941—Japan attacks US at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. US

entered the war with the Allied Powers.

The Allied powers eventually pushed Germany back across France into

Germany. Soviet Union invaded Germany from the East. Germany

eventually surrendered May 1945. Japan eventually surrendered after

the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan.

The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program,

provided over $13 billion from the United States to finance the eco-

nomic recovery of Europe between 1948 and 1951. The Soviet Union

and Communists did not like the US involvement in Western Europe.

This angered the Soviet Union and was seen as another anti-

communist move by the USA.

HOLOCAUST—

Hitler and the Nazi Party blamed the Jewish

people for Germany’s downfall, primarily in

the banking industry. He and the Nazis had

extreme racism and hatred towards the Jews

and other groups.

Hitler and the Nazi Party were responsi-

ble for the mass murder of 6 million

Jews during WWII, and another 5 million

people from other groups.

COLD WAR—

The Cold War was a war of opposing government and economic ideals between the Democratic United States and the

Communist led Soviet Union. It was NOT a fighting, military war. It was hostility and competition between these

Super Powers. Democrats believe in individual rights, power given to the people and a free market economy where

individuals could own businesses and gain wealth. Communism believes economic security in the form of government

owned industry, farming and shared wealth, and no private business ownership. Germany was divided at this time,

East Germany was Communist. West Germany was Democratic. Symbol of Cold War—Berlin Wall was a wall built

between Communist East Berlin and Democratic West Berlin. Built to keep East Berlin citizens from escaping to free-

dom in West Berlin. German began reunification in 1990s which contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.