CONTENT STATEMENT
The consequences of World War I and the worldwide depression set the stage for the Russian Revolution, the rise of totalitarianism, aggressive Axis expansion, and the policy of appeasement which in turn led to World War II.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The human cost of World War I on Russia fueled the Bolshevik Revolution and ushered in the ideology of state-sponsored communism.
Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles forever changed the political and social organizations of Europe. The harsh terms for the defeated countries caused anger and created a climate for retribution. It also contributed to a worldwide depression.
The German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman empires collapsed, and their former lands were carved up into new states and nations. European powers were weakened by the following:
- financial loss through reparations and war debt;
- population loss; and
- destruction of towns, cities, and infrastructure.
Nationalistic and militaristic political parties took advantage of economic troubles in order to gain political power. Totalitarian regimes found wide bases of support in several European countries, including Germany, Spain, and Italy. Great Britain and France’s reluctance to challenge Nazi Germany’s expansion efforts in the 1930s was a consequence of the devastation that resulted from World War I. This reluctance led to policies that allowed the Nazi party in Germany to grow, including:
- appeasement policy;
- Munich Crisis;
- isolationism; and
- failure of the League of Nations.
This aggressive expansion, met with appeasement, led World War II.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how the consequences of World War I set the stage for World War II.