The Whole INTER-WAR Period in 5 MINUTES

Summary

The interwar period was a time of global upheaval, marked by the aftermath of World War I, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and the Great Depression. Following the war, the map of Europe was redrawn, and the League of Nations was formed but lacked power. The Russian Revolution led to the rise of the USSR, while Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini rose to power in Germany and Italy. The 1929 stock market crash sparked worldwide economic instability, and by the late 1930s, tensions escalated into aggressive military expansion, setting the stage for World War II.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interwar period started with the 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed about 50 million people worldwide.
• 😀 The Allied victory in WWI resulted in the dismantling of the Central Empires (Ottomans, Austrians, Germans), with new countries emerging like Turkey and Yugoslavia.
• 😀 Germany was harshly punished by the Treaty of Versailles, losing colonies, paying reparations, and having its military restricted.
• 😀 Despite Wilson's efforts, the U.S. never joined the League of Nations, leaving the organization weak in preventing further conflicts.
• 😀 Russia faced a civil war between the Bolshevik Reds and anti-communist Whites, leading to the establishment of the USSR in 1922.
• 😀 Italy saw the rise of Mussolini's fascists in 1922, and far-right governments began to spread across Europe.
• 😀 Germany's Weimar Republic struggled with economic problems, which fueled the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
• 😀 The U.S. experienced an economic boom during the Roaring '20s but faced the Great Depression starting in 1929, which affected the global economy.
• 😀 In China, the communist movement led by Mao Zedong sparked a long civil war beginning in 1927.
• 😀 By 1939, the world was on the brink of World War II, with Germany's aggressive expansion and the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) challenging global stability.

Q & A

What major event started the interwar period and how many people did it kill?

The interwar period started with an influenza pandemic, which killed about 50 million people worldwide.

How did the Allies change the map after World War I?

The Allies dismantled the three Central Empires: the Ottomans, Austrians, and Germans. The Ottoman Empire's lands were split between England and France, leading to the creation of Turkey. Austria was divided into multiple countries, including Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and Serbia expanded to form Yugoslavia.

What was the Treaty of Versailles, and how did it impact Germany?

The Treaty of Versailles severely punished Germany by taking away foreign colonies, imposing immense reparations, shrinking their military, and assigning blame for the war to Germany through the war guilt clause. It also resulted in territorial losses, giving land to France and the newly restored Poland.

What was the League of Nations, and why was it ineffective?

The League of Nations was an international body created to manage interstate conflicts and prevent future wars. However, it was ineffective because the United States never joined, and despite being an ally in World War I, Russia was also excluded. This lack of participation undermined its authority and power.

How did the Russian Revolution affect the country during the interwar period?

The Russian Revolution led to the Bolshevik takeover in 1917, starting a civil war between the Reds (Communists) and the Whites (anti-communists). The Bolsheviks eventually won, and in 1922, the USSR was established as the world's first communist state.

How did Mussolini's rise to power influence Italy in the interwar period?

Mussolini's fascist rise to power in 1922 introduced a far-right authoritarian regime in Italy. His government promoted nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of political opposition, marking the beginning of fascism in Europe.

What was the Great Depression, and how did it impact the world?

The Great Depression began in 1929 after the U.S. stock market crashed, leading to a worldwide economic collapse. It severely affected many countries, leading to unemployment, poverty, and political instability, and it fueled the rise of radical groups in Germany and elsewhere.

How did Adolf Hitler rise to power in Germany?

Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany after the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923. After being imprisoned, he wrote his manifesto 'Mein Kampf' and, amid the country's economic struggles during the Great Depression, he was able to gain significant support, eventually becoming Chancellor in 1933 and declaring a dictatorship.

What were some of the atrocities committed by Japan in China during the interwar period?

During its military expansion in China in 1937, Japan committed horrific atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre, where thousands of Chinese civilians and prisoners of war were killed, raped, and tortured.

Why did the world seem on the brink of war by 1939?

By 1939, the world was on the brink of war due to the aggressive actions of Germany, Italy, and Japan. Hitler's territorial expansions, including the annexation of Czechoslovakia and the invasion of Poland, alongside the failure of diplomatic efforts, set the stage for World War II.