Political Experiments of the 1920s

Prudvi kasana

Block 1A

AP European History

Chapter 27 – Political Experiments of the 1920s

1. Political and Economic factors after the Paris settlement

1. New Governments

1. Bolsheviks in Russia form a vast authoritarian state apparatus.
2. For the first time, governments were transforming into huge electorates.
3. The need for Liberal Democracy was strived for with the right to vote given to women and men.

2. Demands for revision of the Paris settlement

1. The Paris settlements left many troubles behind.
2. The humiliated Germany wanted the settlement to be revised.
3. Various nationalist groups felt that borders should have been changed.
4. Some countries like France felt the need to enforce the settlement.

3. Post war Economic Problems

1. Normalcy – the economic realm before WWI.
2. It was not possible for European countries to return to the time of industrial prosperity before WWI.
3. The casualties of the war were a big drawback because of the loss of human talent and consumers.
4. Another country of war was the loss of Europe’s financial dominance.
5. All the countries in Europe had huge debts especially Germany who had to pay huge reparations to all the European countries expect United States of America.
6. No nation was in control and every nation was unstable.
7. Many smaller states broke away from the main countries and had a damaged economy.
8. Nations started to raise customs, barriers.
9. As European economy dropped, US became more independent and started to invest and use Asian and Latin American markets.

4. New roles for Government and Labor

1. Labor unions were completely destroyed because there was no use persuading a debited government for more wages.
2. One of the good things that came from WWI was the increase in the status and influence of labor unions.
3. In reaction to these improvements, European apaters became conservative.