HIS 405 Week 6 Disscussion: From the Great War to World War II

HIS 405 Week 6 Disscussion: From the Great War to World War II

Student Name

Chamberlain University

HIS-405 US History

Prof. Name:

Date

From the Great War to World War II

The Great Depression

The Great Depression of the 1930s was marked by a confluence of underlying causes that led to widespread economic devastation, making it far worse than previous economic downturns. One primary cause was the false sense of prosperity during the 1920s, which resulted in overproduction of goods and a subsequent decrease in demand. This decline impacted industries such as steel, rubber, and upholstery, leading to factory closures and rising unemployment rates. The agricultural sector also suffered due to a sharp decline in demand for post-World War I commodities, which, coupled with reduced crop prices and mounting debt, led to loan defaults and foreclosures.

Another significant factor was the disparity in wealth, with a small percentage of Americans holding the majority of income. International trade suffered due to high tariffs, further limiting markets for American goods. Speculative trading and a lack of regulatory oversight led to stock market crashes, triggering mass bank withdrawals. This created a vicious cycle—failing banks resulted in reduced credit availability, decreased consumer spending, and economic stagnation. Additionally, severe drought conditions rendered vast farmlands unusable, exacerbating unemployment.

Modern parallels to the Great Depression include the 2008 financial crisis, which arose from speculative practices in real estate and derivatives markets. Like the Great Depression, the crisis resulted in institutional collapses, home foreclosures, and significant government intervention to restore economic stability.

World War II

The causes of World War II were deeply rooted in the aftermath of World War I, the economic distress of the Great Depression, and the rise of fascist regimes in Germany and Italy. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations, disarmament, and territorial losses. These conditions devastated Germany’s economy, leading to starvation and chaos, which Adolf Hitler exploited to promote his vision of a restored, powerful Germany.

Economic instability following World War I contributed to the Great Depression, fostering global unrest and enabling authoritarian regimes to gain power. In Italy, Benito Mussolini led the invasion of Ethiopia to bolster national pride and showcase Italy’s strength. Similarly, Adolf Hitler capitalized on German resentment, remobilizing the military, enforcing mandatory service, and pursuing territorial expansion to unite German-speaking populations under a vision of racial superiority.

HIS 405 Week 6 Disscussion: From the Great War to World War II

Appeasement played a crucial role in the escalation to war. France and Britain’s reluctance to enforce the Treaty of Versailles allowed Hitler to reclaim territories and expand Germany’s influence. The annexation of Austria in 1938 and demands for Sudetenland emboldened Hitler, as Western democracies failed to act decisively. The German invasion of Poland in 1939 marked the tipping point, compelling France and Great Britain to declare war to prevent further conquest.

Table: Key Elements of the Great Depression and World War II

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.