International impacts of the Great Depression

THE INTERNATIONAL EFFECTS OF THE GREAT

DEPRESSION

●International co-operation was undermined as countries became more self-interested.

●Countries started putting tariffs on foreign goods to protect their own industries: Protectionism

●Countries like Germany, Italy and Japan resented the empires of Britain and France and wanted ones of their own.

●Britain concentrated on her empire and wanted to avoid the danger of conflict with Germany and Japan at the same time

●France and Spain became socially and politically divided between the right & left.

●Increased isolationism from USA as she concentrated on rebuilding her economy

●Social unrest in many countries because of mass unemployment and suffering

●Many countries tried to become self-sufficient and rely less on trading with other nations.

Defence spending●Democracies like France and Britain cut expenditure on defence and armaments.●Germany, Italy and Japan spent more on arms.

●Rise of extremist political parties – both fascist and communist. The collapse of democratic governments in Germany and Spain.

●Without US support, France & Britain became more cautious towards dictators like Hitler and Mussolini.