French leaders were particularly concerned about Germany’s efforts to undo the treaty of Versailles. The Ruhr occupation in January 1923, convinced French leaders that in future, they should not attempt to enforce The Treaty of Versailles single-handedly. The occupation of the Ruhr saw the takeover of the Germany industrial heart, with the intention of forcing Germany to meet its financial obligations. German authorities adopted a policy of passive resistance, with the result that industrial production in the
How and why was the unification of Germany possible? Massive migration to the West Election Financial aids from the West USSR accepted the aids and allowed the unification. 35. How did Gorbachev’s reforms lead to the disintegration of the Soviet Union? As he abandoned the party’s monopoly on political power and machinery controls, the Moscow leadership declined and harsh regulations were de-imposed.
David Lloyd George, from Britain, was involved in reducing power of Germany, where as Georges Clemenceau focused on the deterioration of Germany’s economy, land power and people. On the other hand, America’s Woodrow Wilson had a more moderate approach towards Germany. He wanted Germany to stay relatively strong to repel communism which was believed to have spread from Russia. Woodrow and David however, had a strong view to punish those in power of Germany, not the people. None the less, the so called ‘peace settlement’ had crippled Germany over the years.
But throughout the 1930s towards WW2, the League of Nations is shown to be very weak; hence it couldn’t prevent the Abyssinia Crisis. In 1934 Mussolini attempted a coup with Austrian Nazis to overthrow President Dollfuss, however the plan failed and Dollfuss was murdered. At this point France and Italy formed an alliance which would guarantee Austria’s sovereignty. Two months later Mussolini learned of Germany’s rearmament program and began to grow suspicion of Hitler. During April 1915, the “Stresa Front” took place, which consisted of Britain, France and Italy; in which all three nations Criticised Hitler’s gamble in Austria and was reminded that his aggressive actions had breached the spirit of the Locarno Conference.
German rearmament was a key reason for the outbreak of WW2; the Germans resented the restrictions imposed on them by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler's rise to power increased the speed of rearmament, the annexing of Austria-Hungary, areas of Czechoslovakia and the NAP with the USSR all prompted the events from 1939-1945. France and Britain being the two biggest powers in the League of Nations should have been expected to do more, as well as this France was especially harsh on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. Essentially, the French and British did nothing. Britain was still recovering from the Depression which had devastated her economy; her economy could not afford a major conflict.
1) ‘ The views of J.M. Keynes were the most important factor in explaining Britain’s treatment of Germany in the years following the Treaty of Versailles until 1929.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (24 marks) John Maynard Keynes, an economist and financial representative for the Treasury during the Treaty of Versailles of 1929, held bold and influential views about the treatment of Germany. The question is, how powerful were these views in affecting the actions and policies of the British government towards Germany in the years which followed? When Keynes rejected the scale of reparations placed on Germany and resigned from his post at the Treasury, he lead the way for what many leading politicians were to understand later on.
a) Autumn 1914-Spring 1915: Alfred Hugenberg started a propaganda campaign to counter Socialist agitation. b) The Industrialist Alfred Hugenberg initiated a political Dialogue over German war goals. c) This was a failed attempt by the Conservative German military-industrial complex to gain the support of Labor for the war effort, and to put an end to Socialist anti-war agitation. d) This failed attempt by the Conservatives led to turning towards the Volkish Movement. e) Out of the Volkish Movement came the Thule Society, a Volkish movement that dotted German Landscape.
The Berlin blockade and airlift was more to blame than the Marshall plan for increasing cold war tension In this essay I shall explain why Berlin blockade contributed most to the changed relations, but also how the Marshall plan was important. The Marshall plan was created by George Marshall so that Trueman would keep his promise to contain communism. The Marshall plan gave 17 billion dollars to countries who were still recovering from WW1. This created tension because Western Europe could become more prosperous. This angered Stalin as he did not want West Germany to recover and be given Marshall Aid.
This treaty placed blame solely on Germany resulting in loss of the Rhineland, also Germany had to demilitarize and pay back billions to allies as part of war reparations[1]. This push by the Allied powers left Germany defeated but not destroyed as this loss offered a starting point for a political push away from the imperial government of the past to a new republic as Germans began to revolt. Named the Weimar Republic, the new government in place was incapable of dealing with the complex problems via the Treaty of Versailles. Hyperinflation and political revolts began to affect the country. The sanctions of the treaty placed Germany was in dismay, this offered neighboring European countries the ability to take advantage of Germany.
[2] The loss in the First World War left Germany’s confidence running low. This Coupled with the limiting and demeaning restrictions of the Versailles Treaty which included handing back of territorys and billions of dollars to pay back in war reparations. Germany seemed anxious to prove to themselves and their European counterparts that they were a nation of worth. With Bismarck’s forming the nation-state with “Blut und Eisen”–“blood and iron” which put emphasis on the military, and left them unchecked by parliament. This gave a militaristic approach to German government that lasted through the fall of the Weimar Republic and into the rise of National Socialism in Germany.