After the War
Feb 14, 2016
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Great Britain after WWI• Outdated industrial machines &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