-Europe Between the Wars(1920s and 1930s)

I. Britain faced severe economic problems

A. British trade decreased in the 1920s

1. 40% of British merchant ships were destroyed by German subs during WWI 2. Increased competition Japan and the U.S. 3. Tariffs, which are taxes on imports, were high after the war

B. Unemployment reached 25% in 1921 C. Debt Britain had borrowed billions from the U.S. during WWI

II. Ireland was divided over independence

A. Britain had controlled Ireland since the late middle ages

B. Easter Rebellion was an uprising of Irish Nationalists in 1916 C. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) used guerilla war tactics against the British

D. In I921 Ireland was divided 1. Southern Irish counties (Catholic) became an independent country 2. Northern Ireland (Protestant), called Ulster, remained part of Britain a. Catholics in Northern Ireland wanted a united Ireland and used violence against the British

III. France was a mess A. The Western Front had destroyed French territory

1. 10 million acres of farmland

2. 20,000 factories

B. The French government created works programs to rebuild

1. This kept unemployment low, but created inflation C. The French built heavy fortifications along the German border known as the Maginot Line

IV. Germany was severely punished for their role in WWI A. The Versailles Treaty created harsh conditions in Germany

B. By the early 1920s Germany had trouble paying reparations

1. They began to print money which caused inflation

C. Passive Resistance German workers in the French occupied Ruhr valley refused to work
1. The French withdrew in 1925 D. The Dawes Plan reduced reparations payments

V. Diplomacy between the wars focused on maintaining peace A. European nations avoided alliances and balance of power policies that had helped cause World War I

B. Collective Security League of Nations Policy that attempted to prevent war

1. Ineffective in major disputes because Germany, the U.S., and Russia were not in the league

C. Lacarno Pact was an agreement that eased tension between Germany and Eastern European nations

D. Kellogg-Briand Pact was an agreement signed by 62 nations stating that war should not be part of national policy