After the War

After the War

The League of Nations• Covenant of the League of Nations

written.–Two Main Parts:• Promote international cooperation• Keep peace among nations by settling

disputes and reducing armaments.–World Court (Today in Netherlands).

–Representatives from each member nation (1 vote per nation).

The League of Nations (cont.)• Agree no war.• World Court give out penalties– Including sanctions.

• U.S. did not join.– Fear it would lead to war, wanted isolation.– Senate voted against joining.

• 42 members met in Geneva Nov. 1920.–By 1940 – 59 nations had joined.

France’s Postwar Problems• Farmland, cities in ruins• Large number of men died• Owed money to U.S. and private

citizens•Maginot Line- steel and

concrete barrier between FR & GER (very costly)

International affairs• Locarno Pact- 1925–BEL/CZECH/FR/GER/GB/

IT/POLAND•Would settle all disputes

peacefully• Defensive alliances created

against GER

Political Unrest• 1934 riots in FR; right-wing (cons.)

demand a strong leader who would protect the nation (dictator)• Trade Unions stage a General

Strike• Left-wing (liberal) organized the

Popular Front (take power in 1936)• Deep divides are created among

French people.

Great Britain after WWI• Outdated industrial machines &

technology –(compete with US/JAP)

• Borrow money to update• Disarmament created

unemployment (25%)• Tariffs by other countries made

their goods unsellable

Ireland• Ireland controlled by GB – want

independence• Easter Rising of 1916– Sinn Fein Party/Michael Collins (leader)

• 2 Irelands:– Southern Catholics (Greens) Irish Free State–Northern Ireland- mainly Protestant/remained

part of the United Kingdom• Disagreements continue discrimination

continues

Eastern Europe• Breakup of Austria-Hungary & Russian

Empires• Many Austrians want to unite w/GER but

it is forbidden• Redistribution of land is not popular with

many• Hungary tries to follow Russia’s lead but

fails• BUL/ROM/YUGO/POL all fail at

democracy and establish military dictatorships or monarchies