LA 201- Western Cultural Traditions II

Chapter 26- Primary Sources

1. The Great Depression: Unemployed and Homeless in Germany: Discuss the

plight of the homeless in Germany in 1932. To what does the writer compare
the impact and effects of the depression? How did the growing misery of
many ordinary Germans promote the rise of extremist political parties like
the Nazis and facilitate seizure of political power in Germany by racist and
anti-democratic forces? Would Hitler have come to power if prosperity had
continued in Weimar Germany? (p. 801)
The effects of the depression was the rise of power od Adolf Hitler and
the Nazis. It was easier to control the Germans since they were
miserable so this encouraged the Nazis. I do not believe Hitler would
have came to power id the prosperity had continued in Weimar
Germany because then the Germans would not be so miserable or
unemployed. It would be way harder to take control over them.

2. Propaganda and Mass Meetings in Nazi Germany: How did Hitler envision
the role of propaganda and mass meetings in the totalitarian state? (p. 814)

He believes that with the role of propaganda and mass meetings in the
totalitarian state he can create a kind of mystical bond with the
people.

Chapter 26

1. Summarize the impact of World War I and the problems that European
countries faced in the 1920s.
Many people thought that the world was going to come to peace,
economic growth, and democracy. In reality, from the war, the world
was suffering economically and socially. People started to vote for
radical leaders who promoted the extravagances. The League of
Nations was could not keep peace after WWI.

2. Explain how France, Great Britain, and the United States responded to the
various crises they faced in the interwar years (including the Great
Depression) and how World War I affected Europes colonies in Asia and
Africa.
France created a policy of Coercion to respond to their crises. They
enforced the treaty of Versailles. Germany had to pay France $33
 billion in installments of half a billion dollars. Great Britain fell from
power because their labor party didnt solve any economic problems.

3. Analyze why many European states experienced a retreat from democracy in

the interwar years. Identify the characteristics o so-called totalitarian states
and to what degree these characteristics were present in Fascist Italy, Nazi
Germany, and Stalinist Russia.
A lot of states were so divided by class lines, gender, the great
depression and politics, that they experienced a retreat. The
totalitarian states stretched functions and power of central state. They
wanted commitment from all citizens. They wanted to control all
parts of life and they used propaganda to do it.

4. Examine the new dimensions in mass leisure that emerged during the
interwar years and the role these activities played in Italy, Germany, and the
Soviet Union.
The 1920s lead to an expansion of culture and mass leisure. The
center of European entertainment was Berlin Dance trends were
popular. Some included the Charleston, the bunny hug, etc. The 1920s
were known as the Jazz Age in the US. On June 16, 1920, the first radio
was broadcasted. Radio and movies were used a lot for propaganda.

5. What were the major cultural and intellectual trends in the interwar years?
The radio was popular during interwar years. The first radio
broadcast was a concert in London. There were permanent
broadcasting facilities constructed in the US, Europe, and Japan.
Radios started being mass-produced. Many different innovations were
made at this time; Dadaism was even created. The war confirmed that
humans were violent and selfish.

6. Explain why some historians have called the 1920s both an age of anxiety
and an age of hope.

The 1920s were an age of hope because WWI ended, the economy was
booming, and many people were happy. They hoped for a better
future and they began to spend a lot of money. The invention of the
automobile was big cause it increased production and aroused the
economy. People were also buying stocks and buying more and more
material goods. It is called they year of anxiety because in 1929 the
stock markets crashed. Many people lost a lot of money.