Between The Wars
The inter war years is the term named for the time period from 1918 until 1939 which were an exciting time for many people in the world as regular day items such as cars, washing machines, film and fashion became more readily available, But they were also an extremely bad time with widespread poverty, the Great Depression and the rise of Fascism and Communism. In only one generation the change in lifestyle, culture, political structures, alliances and economic powers altered the course of history. |
The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties were the decade of the 1920s and have often been described as a carefree time when people put the gloom of the war years behind them. 1. Brainstorm various changes you think occurred after World War I and into the Roaring Twenties. Who did these changes benefit? 2. In groups of 3 your task is to research one of the following and add the research to the example button below; - Ku Klux Klan (Who, where and why) - Fashion (Clothes and materials) - Technology (Inventions and impovements) - Music (Styles and famous singers) - Film (Hollywood, genres and stars) - Economy (Improvements and the Great Depression) - Dancing (The Charleston) - Racism (Against who, by who) Use the below example to provide an idea of how yours should look. |
The 1920's Hyperinflation in Germany
Germany hoped and expected for a short, sharp and speedy victory in World War I, however the Great War went on for four years costing millions of dollars and lives. Due to the cost of the war the Germany economy was in trouble and the punishments set by the Treaty of Versailles put even more pressure on it. In 1922, Germany ordered increased print runs of banknotes in order to stimulate the economy and pay striking industrial workers. The 1923 hyperinflation was the result of paper money being pumped into the economy to such an extent that it effectively became worthless. The amount of paper currency floating around in Germany caused the price of regular day objects to rise significantly. Bread 1918 - 0.25 Reichsmark 1922 - 3 Reichsmarks 1923 January - 200, May - 1,200, July - 100,000, September - 2,000,000, October - 670,000,000, November - 80,000,000,000 Eggs (Dozen) 1918 - 0.5 Reichsmark 1921 - 3 Reichsmarks 1923 January - 500, September 30,000,000, October 4,000,000,000 Currency - Reichsmark to the US dollar During World War I the Reichsmark was not as strong as the US dollar meaning the US dollar was more valuable than the German currency. After the war the affect of the Treaty of Versailles and the reparations involved meant that Germany needed more paper Reichsmarks to pay off their debts. The results are seen below in Marks per US dollar; 1914-1918 - Fell from 4.2 to 8.91 Marks per US dollar 1919 - 32 Marks per US dollar 1921 June - 90 1922 June - 300, August - 2,000, December - 500,000 1923 August - 3,500,000, September - 60,000,000, October - 4,200,000,000, November - 4,210,500,000,000 In 1923 it cost five billion Reichsmarks to post an ordinary letter and by October the Government released a banknote with a face value of 120 trillion Reichsmarks. Add these key points to a Germany Hyperinflation summary in your workbooks and add the relevant dates to your timeline. Five Key Points: 1. The hyperinflation of 1922-23 came after an emergency decision to print additional currency became standard policy. 2. By mid-1923 the printing of banknotes, which were not backed by gold, had reached unsustainable levels. 3. As banknotes flooded the economy their value plummeted, leading to rapid increases in prices and wages. 4. Hyperinflation eroded the cash savings of the middle class and disrupted commercial activity. 5. The crisis was eventually ended with the formation of a new reserve bank and the issue of a new national currency. |
The Great Depression
Stimulated by the crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929, the world was thrown into a Great Depression. 1. Read about the Great Depression from JacPlus 1.4. Why was producing more goods than they could sell a bad thing for companies? How could shares collapse a share/stock market? 2. Add the Great Depression to your timeline. Notes: During these times the Great Depression was felt everywhere in the world because of America’s economic influence at the time. Loss of jobs, no Government support, inflation, unemployment rate at record high, banks closing, and individual embarrassment were felt everywhere. How did the world's economies improve? The USA increased spending on public projects which created jobs for the unemployed. This provided relief for families and the economy as people were spending money instead of having nothing to spend. The more people spend the more demand for goods which improves confidence in the market. The USA also halted loans which they were giving out to various countries such as Britain, France and Germany (this also hurt those countries because they didn't have this money to spend anymore). Australia decided to increase taxes and cut spending on government salaries, wages and pensions which gave the government money to repay foreign loans. Instead of paying back interest on loans they were able to finance public projects and find work for the unemployed. |
The Rise of Fascism and Communism
From 1917 to 1933 Europe saw the rise communism and fascism take over numerous nations. In Germany, many of its citizens hoped Adolf Hitler and fascism would bring order to a nation plagued by economic depression, social unrest, and political instability. In Russia, Joseph Stalin manipulated his way to power and reinforced the communist ideals which aimed to create equality across the country. 1. What is communism, fascism and democracy? Copy down button 'ideological notes'. 2. Research Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini. Which country are they from? What did they believe in? How did they become their countries leader? Did they do good or bad things for their country, if so, what? 3. YouTube clip - Rise of Fascism in Europe. Add any new information to your notes. 4. PP – Fascism Rises in Europe 5. Glossary - Add a short definition of communism, fascism and democracy 6. Add the following dates to your timeline; 1921 - Russian Civil War ends. Communists confirm their control 1922 - Mussolini marches on Rome and takes over the Italian Government 1923 - Hitler imprisoned due to his failed Munich Putsch 1924 - Hitler released from prison. Mein Kamph (My Struggle) is released. 1929 - Joseph Stalin is Russia's undisputed leaders 1932 - 6 million Germans are out of work due to the Great Depression 1933 - Hitler is invited to become Chancellor and installs a Nazi dictatorship in Germany 1936-1938 - Stalin's Great Purge. Stalin unleashes waves of terror against communist party enemies and vocal army leaders 1936-1939 - Spanish Civil War. General Franco creates a fascist dictatorship in 1939 |
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‘Triumph of the Will’ by Leni Riefenstahl
Made in 1934 as a propaganda film with the overriding theme as the return of Germany as a great power, with Hitler as the leader who will bring glory to the nation. Centered at the Nazi Congress Party in Nuremberg it depicts the strength of the Nazi Party. |
'Why We Fight' by Frank Capra
Made from 1942-1945 this was a series of seven documentary films commissioned by the United States government for propaganda during World War II whose purpose was to show American soldiers the reason for U.S. involvement in the war. |
1936 Berlin Olympics
In 1936, Berlin hosted the Olympic Games. Hitler and the Nazi party were in its third year and the world was coming to Germany. Even though the Nazis were only in year three, there had been a generation of youth trained in Hitler Youth Camps who were brainwashed into believing in the Nazi ideals which meant there was extreme prejudice towards jews, blacks, gays, gypsies and political opponents.
The Berlin Olympics were hugely successful as the world saw a united, disciplined, and economically improving nation. Hitler's aim to host the most extravagent and memorable Olympics worked, and even today the modern Olympics utilise aspects created by the Germans. The torch run from Greece and the parade of athletes around the opening ceremony are two ideas first created for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Below are a few photos which I found at a 1936 Berlin Olympics museum. Notice the top left photo stating to be 'courteous to Jews from June 30 until September 1st'. The bottom left photo is a photo of the English football team saluting Hitler and the crowd before a game (many competing teams were overawed by Hitler's Germany).
In 1936, Berlin hosted the Olympic Games. Hitler and the Nazi party were in its third year and the world was coming to Germany. Even though the Nazis were only in year three, there had been a generation of youth trained in Hitler Youth Camps who were brainwashed into believing in the Nazi ideals which meant there was extreme prejudice towards jews, blacks, gays, gypsies and political opponents.
The Berlin Olympics were hugely successful as the world saw a united, disciplined, and economically improving nation. Hitler's aim to host the most extravagent and memorable Olympics worked, and even today the modern Olympics utilise aspects created by the Germans. The torch run from Greece and the parade of athletes around the opening ceremony are two ideas first created for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Below are a few photos which I found at a 1936 Berlin Olympics museum. Notice the top left photo stating to be 'courteous to Jews from June 30 until September 1st'. The bottom left photo is a photo of the English football team saluting Hitler and the crowd before a game (many competing teams were overawed by Hitler's Germany).
August Landmesser
August Landmesser was a loyal Nazi who defied the Nuremberg Laws by falling in love and marrying a Jew. His cross armed stance is an act of defiance towards his disqualification from the Nazi Party and the rising antisemitism in Germany. His wife was killed in a camp and he died in battle. Click here to view an article about August.
August Landmesser was a loyal Nazi who defied the Nuremberg Laws by falling in love and marrying a Jew. His cross armed stance is an act of defiance towards his disqualification from the Nazi Party and the rising antisemitism in Germany. His wife was killed in a camp and he died in battle. Click here to view an article about August.