The Time of Great Depression - Assignment Example

Final Exam Part Identifications Nazi Party The National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP), which most refer to as the Nazi Part was among the political parties of Germany. The Nazi operated from the year 1920 until 1945. The Nazi Party developed greatly and remained the leading party of German through dictatorship led from the year 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler’s leadership (McDonough 34). Founded in the year 1919 as a workers’ party, the party aimed at promoting the anti-Semitism and pride of German, and expressing disappointment with Treat of Versailles terms, the settlement that resulted in termination of the First World War (1914-1918). This required Germany to set various reparations and concessions. Adolf Hitler became a member of the party in the year 1920 and in 1921, he becomes the party’s leader. The Nazi Party, despite its dictatorship leadership, it had some significance in Germany. With its leaders such as Adolf Hitler being highly frustrated by the country’s defeat during the World War, which brought many negative impacts towards the economic and political status of the country, joined the party. In the year 1923, Nazi Party under the leadership of Adolf Hitler prevented Germany from further trifurcation by the France, which resulted in the increase and German’s consolidation (46). During this period, the France occupied most of Germany’s districts. However, the Nazi Party worked tirelessly to prevent Germany from this vulnerability. The Nazi Party also played a major role of trying to end economical stagnation, rampant inflation, unemployment, and hunger in Germany. Hitler in most of his speeches argues that such problems would prevail in German unless a total revolution would take place in the country. The Party ensured the revolution in German through fighting to dominate Europe and systematic killing of all European Jews. This fight resulted to domination of Europe and banning of all Jews from public places of Germany. By the time the party was outlawed by the Allies after the death of Hitler, an approximately six million of Jews were already death (57). Another significance of the party was its efforts of ensuring national union in Germany. The Great Depression This referred to the economic slump, which took place in Europe, North America as well as in other industrialized countries in the world. The great depression began in the year 1929 lasting until the year 1939. This was one of the longest and most severe type of economic slumps that the western industrialized nations had ever faced. The great depression initially took place in the United States and quickly spread to other industrialized Western countries, thus becoming a global economic slump affecting the economic relationship that the United States had formed with European countries after the First World War (Smith 17). United States had become the main financier and creditor after the war in postwar Europe. This is because the national economies of Europe had largely deteriorated by the war due to war debts. For instance, Germany and a group of other defeated states needed to pay for war reparations. Therefore, the slumping of the American economies resulted to drying up of the flow of American’s investment credits to the European states. Due to the economic slump, prosperity between the two countries collapsed as well. The great depression highly affected those states, which were extremely indebted with the United States, for example, Great Britain and Germany (23). In Germany, the rate of unemployment rose dramatically starting from the year 1929 and by the beginning of 1932 an approximately six million workers and twenty five percent of the workforce were unemployed. The Great Depression had a number of significance towards economic stability in many nations. Before the Great Depression, most governments took little actions to address economical issues during downturns and instead most of them used to rely on impersonal business forces for achievement of essential economic measures. However, market forces during the early stages of the Great Depression proven to be unable to solve the economic issues in order to achieve the appropriate recovery. This painful failure of market forces inspired vital changes in the economic structure of the United States (45). After this Great Depression, most governments worldwide implemented fundamental changes in their economic structures to ensure economic stability in the market economies hence the major significance of the Great Depression. Marshall Plan The Marshall Plan of United States was a U. S-sponsored plan that the country established after the World War II to for helping European nations that had faced a huge destruction resulting from the outcomes of the war. Due to the Second World War, the United States was looking for a plan that would assist in rebuilding the war-tattered European nations as well as helping to a firm economic structure for the entire Europe (Mills 45). The Secretary of State of U.S., George Marshall, at Harvard University in the year 1947, first proposed this plan. The Congress subsequently pronounced George Marshall’s plan as the program suitable for helping European countries renaming it as the European Recovery Program (ERP). The Marshall Plan issued approximately $13 billion to European states that greatly suffered from the outcomes of the Second World War. The plan served as the key to invigorating after-war economic status of these states. The main concentrations of the Marshall Plan were to modernize both industrial and business practices in the entire Europe, through reduction of all trade barriers that occurred between European states and the United States. By the year 1952, the U. S-European Funding ended after ensuring that all economies in European recipients had surpassed the levels of pre-war a progress that made the plan to be termed as highly successful (48). One of the significances of the Marshall Plan was that it enabled a resurgence of industrialization in European countries as well as bringing investments into the regions. The plan also served as a United States, stimulant to its economies through the establishment of American goods markets. Most economic historians have argued that the Marshall Plan had great positive impacts towards economic growth of the post-war European nations especially Western Europe. Despite some critics who go against the Marshall Plan, the plan is among the plans that are considered as having great humanitarian efforts (57). The State’s Secretary, George Marshal is the only general who has ever won a Nobel Prize of peace. In addition, the Marshall Plan legitimized and institutionalized the notion of United States foreign aid projects, which have currently turned out as the essential part of the country’s foreign policy. Iranian revolution Iranian revolution refers to all events that involved overthrowing of the dynasty of Pahlavi, which was under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Pahlavi received much support from the United States. In the year 1979, both European and North American media were flooded with the news about Iranian Revolution. After the failure of the Shah, the US considered offering him a visa that supported the long-term protégé (Parsa 45). The government of the new revolutionary requested the United States to stop protecting Shah but US refused this request. This US refusal increased the sediments for anti-American thus changing the Iranian Revolution to start fighting against the United States. However, it was too unfortunate for Iranians to forget about the CIA - engineering coup of the year 1953, which highly contributed towards the return of Shah back to leadership in Iran. The Iranian Revolutionaries kept on insisting that the United States should abandon its corporations with the Shah and its refusal resulted in American Embassy’s attacks, which served as the CIA-engineering Coup center in the year 1953 (53). Thus, this resulted in the beginning crisis of the American Embassy. The demonstrators burned most of American flags as they kept on chanting “Down to America.” The demonstration on the American public, being unaware of the involvement of the United States in the CIA Coups, both the chanting and burning of the flags was simply nothing rather a symbol of Iranian wickedness. From this time, all aspects who took part in the Iranian Revolution, especially the Islam became highly involved with evils. Many people describe the Iranian Revolution as an epochal historical event that marked a period of Islamic faith and struggles to ensure the modernization for many states especially within the Islamic religion (58). The Iranian Revolution played a very vital role of ending some of the political, economical, and social issues that highly affected the wellbeing of the people such as income inequality, corruption, favoritism, and violence. In addition, the Iranian Revolution started with a democratic movement, but its results were significantly since the revolution led to the establishment of the first world’s Islamic State. The leaders of the Iranian Revolution fought tirelessly to ensure that the Islam acquired their own state, which is currently Iran. It also resulted to social equality in the country. The Iranian Revolution was so significance to the Islam since it succeeded in overthrowing the dynasty of Pahlavi, which was under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (62). Most people describe this revolution as among the epochal actions of the histories of the twentieth century. The event marks a period of revivalism for the Islamic. This event also contributed towards political and economic stability and the Islamic were now able to enjoy democracy. Part 2: Essays Fascism Fascism refers to a movement, political philosophy, or regime that exalts a country and uses an autocratic form of government that is led by forcible opposition suppression, severe economic, social regimentation, and a dictatorial leader. It is the actual practice of dictatorial leadership in a nation. A good example of fascism took place in Germany before the Second World War. The Nazi Party under the leadership of Hitler practiced dictatorial leadership in Germany (Strayer 1018)). The Nazi operated from the year 1920 until 1945. The Nazi Party developed greatly and remained the leading party of German through dictatorship led from the year 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler’s leadership (McDonough 34). Founded in the year 1919 as a workers’ party, the party aimed at promoting the anti-Semitism and pride of German, and expressing disappointment with Treat of Versailles terms, the settlement that resulted in termination of the First World War (1914-1918). Japan in its early years experienced the most Turbulent and eventful decades of fatal wounding and assassination of many leaders. In the year 1936, there was radical discontent of young army coups, which dramatically burst forth and this resulted in the killing of many Japanese leaders. This marked the end of Japanese violence, but when the country entered into war with China in the year 1937, its totalitarianism trend quickened pace (1020). The war resulted in suppression of many trade unions with industrial association replacing them. In the year 1940, there dissolving of all the existing political parties and IRAA (Imperial Rule Assistance Association) took its place. While the country entered into an alliance with Italy and Germany in the year 1940, and then sliding towards war with Britain and America, unsurprisingly there was no room for dissent’s open voices. Until recently, Japanese historian kept on describing the 1930s experiences of Japan as fascist. Some of the historians interpreted the experience using, Marxist terms such as “the last ditch defense” while also emphasizing that the fascism had some special characteristics in the country. In Japan, since the parties’ cabinets had already practiced their negative roles in part, fascism’s role was mainly leaning towards the latter. Japanese historian tried to support these assertions by pointing out some features such as fierce communism opposition, terrorist violence, totalitarian ambitions, authoritarian government, and powerful nationalism, which the country shared with Italy and Germany during the 1930s.There were differences and parallels, which was present between Japan and Germany and Italy. Although Italy and German show minimal influence of Japan, the country’s (Japan) social and economical status during 1930s was almost similar to those of Germany and Italy (1022). Japanese industry not only surpassed the output of its agriculture, but also the interwar era brought some effects, which resulted in relative stagnation and disclosure. In Italy, fascism rose following the situation that the Italian veterans returned from war with nothing to show for their sacrifice for the war under the leadership of Vittorio Orlando. Citizens used to abuse the veterans if they appeared in the public in uniform arguing that they had a return of widespread poverty and unemployment in the country. In the 1921 election, the country elected most fascists, including Mussolini to lead the country. Mussolini was the likely ruler of Fascist Movement. His dictatorship-ruling fell into the founded totalitarian of omnipotent state’s mold that used to suppress dissent and control thought, demanding for uniformity and obedience. The ascent of Mussolini into leadership clearly portrays the way fascism and dictator leadership took place in Italy during the inter war era (1024). This fascism leadership could beat down all the governmental apparatus in an intimidation and brutality manner until the state accepted their dictatorship and imposed form of government. Communist revolutions in China and Russia Both communist revolutions in China and Russia started in the twentieth century following the foreign powers’ pawn. One of the differences between the two communist revolutions was whom they focused on. To begin with, China focused mainly on the peasants since they were the majority in the country. On the other hand, Russia focused mainly on the proletariat, or the working class, such as Karl Marx (Smith 46). The communist revolution in Russia was characterized by its rebellion against tsar ruling and ended following the First World War. On the other side, the revolution in China was a civil war whereby the Mao’s army of peasant was fighting to end the army of Chiang-Kai. Another contrast of the two revolutions is the military strategies that the two countries employed in order to gain support. For instance, in Russia Bolshevik’s audience were the primary workers in the cities of Russia. Industrialization was causing the major turbulence within the cities, hence the reason as to why the revolutionaries understood that they were the ones they could appeal. This unrest, with combination of Bolshevik’s efforts resulted in a revolution in the year 1917 (57). On the other side, in China, the rural countryside’s peasants formed the great percent of the entire population. During this period, the industrial base of China was smaller than that of Russia so there no many urban workers in China as in Russia. During this time, China was under the leadership of the Guomindang party, and the party showed minimal assistance to help the rural residents of the country (61). Its communist party impressed the peasants by promising them land reforms and womens employment opportunities. One of the similarities of the two communist revolutions is that they took place at the same time, which is the end of the world wars. Both communist revolutions in China and Russia started in the twentieth century following the foreign powers’ pawn. While the leaders of communist revolution in Russia focused on the way to terminate the Western domination through armed rebellion, those of China initially focused on implementing the foreign ways (64). However, the two communist revolutions concentrated on improving industrialization highly. In the mid of twentieth century, the two countries experienced political achievement, although they differed in their economic independence degree. Another similarity of the two is that, the revolutions were under the leadership of charismatic leaders, China under Mao Zedong’s leadership while Russia was under Vladimir Lenin’s leadership. The two leaders acknowledge that the countries needed change and they used their military strategies to convince amounts of citizens that they were to seek for socialist revolution. The two leaders used convincing speeches and had all the qualities of a good leader. After succeeding in their rebellions, the two leaders started direct attacks to end gender and class inequalities in the countries (67). They were also able to encourage industrialization and modernization for their societies. To sum up, the two revolutions also compare since the two revolutions aimed at spreading communist ideas and notions to other nations. Russia focused on spreading their ideas to Hungary, Cuba, Korea, Poland, and more. On the other hand, China wanted their views to go to Vietnam. This similarity occurred because the two countries were looking for power. This is because the more a country has political influences, the more it becomes a powerful nation (71). Since the two countries were seeking for power, they put much effort to ensure that their views spread in many western countries. The two communist revolutions contributed much towards the success of their countries. Effects of Cold War of decolonization in the Third World Both the Cold War rivalry and the Third World decolonization were among the international processes that related in time. The interrelationship between the two processes was highly complex. The Cold War was a bipolar conflict between U.S.S.R. and the United States. On the other hand, Third World decolonization refers to Europe’s withdrawal from its territory, informal claims overseas (Day and Maya 53). The Europeans were highly Decolonizing African, Asia, and Middle East but the Cold War between the Soviet Unions and United States brought many effects to the Europeans colonization. Although the War was not the primary influence of European Decolonization, the strategies the United States used during the Cold War as well as the War’s actions indeed produced a conducive environment that influenced withdrawal of European states from their overseas colonies. The Cold War was not the primary influence towards European decolonization. Most historians argue that even if these two global processes stayed interrelated, which occurred during the Second World War, the Europeans would still withdraw their regal powers from their Third World colonies. However, a large group of historians claims that the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Unions had a great impact towards the decolonization of the Third World Countries by the Europeans (59). The main sources of Third World colonization were, raw materials, need for markets, nationalist ideologies, and intra-empire competition. The actions of the Second World War weakened some of these sources, thus influencing the Europeans to withdraw their powers from the Third World colonies. The Cold War weakened the military strength of Europeans and the spread of technologies strengthen the militaries of the Europeans colonies thus resulting to Europeans withdrawing their powers from Third World colonies. For example, five Portuguese Third World colonies attain their independence after collapsing of Portuguese estates following the Cold War (63). In addition, the Cold War mobilization against the Japanese and Nazism succeeded in toppling colonial authorities of Europeans in South Asia thus undermining Europeans racial superiorities. All these changes resulted from the Cold War, hence influencing Europeans to withdraw their powers from their colonies. Additionally, the actions of the Cold War negatively affected the economical powers that boosted Europeans to colonize the Third World nations. These resulted in the Europeans funding for the rebuilding of the damages caused by the War. There is nowhere in the history that states that Europeans withdrew from their colonies willingly. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union created a conducive environment that contributed to Europeans withdrawing their powers from their African colonies (66). The actions of the Cold War created conducive environment, which influenced Europeans states to withdraw from their Third World colonies hence involving in decolonization. Another effect of the United States Cold War towards decolonization is the way the actions of the war changed the process of decolonization. According to many historians, the main aim of the United States to involve in the Cold War was to ensure Soviet’s expansion. These actions resulted in many European states withdrawing their powers from the Third World colonies. For instance, in Malaya, the British suppressed Chinese communist rebellion between the years 1948 to 1955 before it gained independence in the year 1957 (73). In conclusion, the present essay asserts that the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union played a vital role towards decolonization and posed some effects to the entire process of decolonization. The United States, after the Second World War helped European nations to relieve from the economic damages caused by the war actions, thus reducing the need to continue holding their powers to the colonies (77). This support of United States highly changed the entire process of decolonization. Although, most people would argue that the Cold War was not the main cause of decolonization, people should acknowledge that it had many effects that contributed towards decolonization. The nature of US foreign policy in Central Asia during the Cold War The U.S. foreign policy of the Cold War failed to achieve its set goals and behaved counterproductive. The United States used anti-communism as its main guide for foreign policy throughout the Cold War. However, similar foreign policies still existed after the disintegration and collapse of the Soviet Union (Lubin 34). As the terror balance receded, the U.S. dealt with international terrorism, which forced the world powers initiating a new form of war (a war against terrorism). Despite this war receding it keeps on growing as well being connected to another type of war (war against drugs). For instance in Afghanistan, the United States engages in a war against poppy fields, similar to the war that the Soviets were initially fighting. The nature of United States foreign policy during the Cold War seemed to be counterproductive. Without making its mind up on the disagreements on its errand, the United States impermanent destroyed the countries of Indo-Chinese, allowing repressive governments to thrive in other nations as well as stimulating what it needed to prevent (China’s fast economic growth and the attempt of Korea for nuclear development). This is one of the reasons as to why most historians term the nature of the United States foreign policy counterproductive (45). If the United States would have shown the Central Asian leaders the measures, they should take in order to bring security and stability in the region, the country would have grown both economically and politically. The nature of United States foreign policy in Central Asia is that it has unsuccessfully convinced the leaders of Central Asia to follow the models of democracy in order to the economies of the country attractive for foreign investments. Central Asia, economically and geographically, is a very essential region in the Eastern Hemisphere, which occupies areas that are adjacent to a number of nuclear powers like China, Russia, and Pakistan. The country is near one of the potential powers, Iran, which the major exporter of natural gas, oil, Uranium, and gold. However, Russia highly influenced Central Asia when it conquered it during the Second World War and during the Soviet War (48). However, the nature of the United States foreign policy is highly essential in Central Asia and US should struggle protect the country such as denying China or Russia the ability of dominating the country as well as denying them establish a new sphere in the country. The nature of United States foreign policy in Central Asia is that it has unsuccessfully convinced the leaders of Central Asia to follow the models of democracy in order to the economies of the country attractive for foreign investments. This is civilization as well as a political choice that the leaders of Central Asia have made actively while seeking succor in Beijing and Moscow (53). Currently, while China and Russia are trying to play a central role in the country, the Central Asians chances to embrace democracy are still slim. In conclusion, it is the responsibility of the United States to continue upholding free media, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion, among many other roles in the region. Such views are not opposing according the political goals of the United States in the region. In contrast, if the United States would implement these goals, then the political system of Central Asia would turn out to be more legitimate and sustainable (67). Thus, Central Asia would increase its regional stability and security, improve its economical growth, and lastly, enhance foreign investments in the regions. Enhancing stability and security would result to reduced cases of terrorism in the regions, which is the main factor that makes the region remain undeveloped in terms of economic growth. Work cited Day, Tony, and Maya H. T. Liem. Cultures at War: The Cold War and Cultural Expression in Southeast Asia. Ithaca, N.Y: Southeast Asia Program Publications, 2010. Print. Lubin, Nancy. Challenges in U.S.-Asian Policy: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on International Relations House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, February 10, 1999, March 17, 1999. Bethesda, MD: JNA Associates, 1999. Print. McDonough, Frank. Hitler and the Rise of the Nazi Party. Harlow: Longman, 2004. Print. Mills, Nicolaus. Winning the Peace: The Marshall Plan and Americas Coming of Age As a Superpower. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Print. Parsa, Misagh. Social Origins of the Iranian Revolution. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2009. Print. Smith, Robert. The Great Depression. Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Resources, 2006. Print. Smith, S A. Revolution and the People in Russia and China: A Comparative History. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. Strayer, Barry L. Canadas Constitutional Revolution. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press, 2012. Print. Read More