Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Class Notes 11/10

Ideological Causes of WWII
Communism vs. Capitalism
Nazi belief of the superiority of the German people

More Causes

Dawes Plan 1924:
  • US loan to Germany for 800 Gold Marks
  • Germany's Gustav Streseman makes deal w/ Dawes
  • France withdraws troops from Ruhr
  • German economy starts to recover
  • Starts period of prosperity in Germany 1924-1929
"Spirit of Locarno"
  • Idea that collective security will work
  • Series of agreements between various countries (France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland...)
  • Most important agreement: Germany, France, and Belgium promise to respect each others' borders.
  • Germany refused to make any guarantees about its borders with Poland and Czechoslovakia
  • France promises Poland and Czechoslovakia help if Germany attacks (Great Britain does NOT promise this).
  • Historical Context: In 1925, the world's economy is doing well. Not as many people are concerned about German aggression
Kellog-Briand Pact
  • US Secretary of State and French Foreign Minister
  • 65 Nations renounce war as an instrument of national policy
  • Useless agreement, no power to enforce it. No mention of sanctions.
  • Japan, which signed the agreement, attacks Manchuria in 1931. League of Nations does nothing to stop it.

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