This document summarizes key events and factors related to the Great Depression in the 1920s-1930s and the rise of Roosevelt and Hitler in response. It discusses how the global economy stagnated after WWI, leading to unemployment, inflation, and lack of social safety nets. Both Roosevelt and Hitler came to power in 1933 appealing to different groups and using new media like radio. Their early policies aimed to provide aid to the unemployed and implement public works projects, though neither fully solved the Depression. The document also briefly outlines increasing tensions between the US, Britain, Germany and Japan in the late 1930s.

1. Tadd ManninoHistory 141, Spring 2011Palomar CollegeInto the Economic AbyssEric HobsbawmRoosevelt and HitlerNew Deal and Nazi ReactionsTo the DepressionJohn A. Garraty

2. The Great SlumpNear worldwide economic collapse1920s - 1939Pre-dates 1929 US Stock Market CrashCapitalist economies cycle high and lowApprox. every 7 to 11 yearsPost WWI, global economy stagnatedInflation/devalued currency, unemployment, savings gone, no capital for businessNon-existent social safety nets

3. The Great DepressionUS unscathed after WWINo war damageLeast loss of lifeEconomic leader of the worldLeading import/exporter to EuropeLargely self-sufficientFails to involve itself in European mattersEsp. in vacuum of England’s capacity as world bankGermany “kept weak” by War RepatriationsBorrows heavilyNations seek to protect their ownAbandon Gold standard, impose tariffsAddress social, not economic issuesUSSR thrives, increased production, no unemployedBut inefficient economy, brutal collectivization & mass repression

4. The Great DepressionFeeling of fundamental failure of economy/world left three choices:MarxismCapitalism, modified w/social servicesFascismNational Socialism is most successful, economicallyAt a great price for Germany and the worldDepression not ended until outbreak of WWII

5. Roosevelt and HitlerMoral opposites, they reacted to Depression in similar ways1933 – both took office a month apart, considered “intellectual lightweights,” both:Appealed to their social/economic oppositesUsed new media of radio brilliantlyUsed strong paternal, personal leadershipWanted to mobilize people’s energy

6. Roosevelt and HitlerWithout economic experience, both faced nations in throes of Great DepressionSimilar actionsAid to unemployed, “social security” measuresManipulated agriculture to support farms/food pricesCreated civilian work campsSemi-military camps kept unemployed off streets & activeProvided infrastructure, public works projectsNeither “solved” problem of Depression

7. An Ocean Apart:The Anglo-American Relationshipon the Eve of WarDavid Dimbleby, David ReynoldsThe Race WarAmerican and Japanese Perceptions of the EnemyJohn W. Dower

8. Churchill and FDR1930s – A troubling worldDepression continuesJapan invades ChinaNazis rise to powerBritain, USA watchedUS isolationist, self-servingBritain war-shocked by WWIMuch to lose, little to gain from warTries to appease Hitler

9. Churchill and FDRUS, Britain at odds overTrade imbalances, tariffsAir of distrust exists as both sense threat of Germany and JapanFDR wants to aid Britain, U.S. public does not1939 –Hitler invades Poland, war declaredUS “Cash and Carry” allows supportGoods, materiel and finally armaments

10. Churchill and FDRUS still “neutral”FDR aids EnglandLend LeaseReturns destroyers to BritainChurchill sees need for USPuts aside animosityFDR sees Britain as 1st line of defense1941 – Pearl Harbor, America enters war

11. The Race WarBoth US and Japan used racial stereotypes to de-humanize, demonize their enemiesUS portrayed Japanese as:The Yellow PerilInferior, sub-humans or supermenPrimitive, child-likeVermin, monkeysPortrayals debased Japanese

12. The Race WarJapanese racism based on:Contempt for westerners/non-JapaneseWhite devilsRacial revengePatronize/rule over “child-like” AsiansPortrayals elevated Japanese to “divine”