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France in 1918-1939.
PLAN.
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Consequences of the First World War.
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Domestic and foreign policy of the "National Blik" government.
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Economic crisis and its consequences.
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Fascist rebellion and the structure of the popular front.
France was one of the countries that won the world war. However, this victory was achieved at the cost of heavy losses for France. For example, due to the war, 1,4 mln. a Frenchman died. 3 mln. 250 thousand hectares of arable land became unusable. By 1920, France's public debt was 300 billion. reached the franc.
Meanwhile, the war also made France the first country in Western Europe. The return of Alsace and Lorraine and the establishment of French control over the Saar region played a very positive role in the further development of the country. The new economic zones increased the power of the French metallurgical industry by 75 percent.
In terms of iron ore production, France took first place in Europe. Powerful banks (such as Mirabo, the Rodshil family, the Lazar brothers, and Malle) appeared. In the leading sectors of the industry, such huge companies as "Renault", "Citroen", "Peugeot", "Simka" were established.
French control was established in Syria and Lebanon. (they were properties of the former Turkish Empire). Thus, France acquired the German colonies in Africa - part of Togo and Cameroon.
The main goal of the French ruling circles was to make France the most powerful country in Europe, and the decisive word among European countries.
In November 1919, parliamentary elections were held for the second time after the war. Before the election, the right-wing parties united in the alliance called "National Bloc". The bloc was formed by far-right parties - "National Republican Party", "Republican-Democratic Party". Radicals and Republican parties joined them.
The "National Bloc" government was headed by A. Milleran (1859 - 1943). A. Mileran's government, as a desire for big capital, also prevented the implementation of the law on the introduction of 8 hours of work. It did not reduce the tax burden. He resisted demands for a salary increase. Such a policy led to the outbreak of a strong strike movement in the country. In 1919, 1,2 mln. more than workers participated.
In December 1920, there was a split in the FSP. The splintered part formed a new political party - the French Communist Party (FCP).
"National Bloc" took all possible measures for France to remain the leading country in Europe in foreign policy. For example, he sought to weaken Germany as much as possible. In 1920-1921, under the influence of France, the Czechoslovakia-Germany-Yugoslavia union was formed. It is also known in history as "Little Entente".
The United States, a claimant to hegemony in the international arena, did not want France to become stronger. Therefore, Great Britain and the United States tried to reduce as much as possible the amount of compensation to be paid to Germany and France. In 1922, he stopped sending coal from the Ruhr region to France.
This event had a great negative impact on the development of the French metallurgical industry. In order to prevent this, the government of the "National Bloc" (at that time it was led by the ardent militarist and chauvinist R. Poincaré) in January 1932 entered the Ruhr region and occupied it. However, France did not achieve its goal. Ruhr coal mine workers (Germans) refused to mine coal and load it into wagons at the call of the German government.
In May 1924, they won the parliamentary elections and formed the "Left Bloc" government. The government was headed by E. Herriot (1872-1957), the leader of the Radical Artia, and he withdrew the French troops from the Ruhr region. By October, it recognized the Soviet state and established diplomatic relations. 300 mln. to solve the housing problem. franc provided funds.
France signed the Treaty of Locarno in 1925. The signing of this treaty was actually France's betrayal of its allies, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Because this agreement did not provide an international guarantee that the borders of these two countries with Germany would not be violated.
The world economic crisis did not affect France either. At the end of 1930, a crisis began in the French economy, and it lasted until 1936.
The number of unemployed in industry is 1,5 million. established a person. Working hours became 10-12 hours long. Wages were reduced by up to 40 percent. The volume of production of agricultural products decreased to 40 percent. Food prices have increased. Taxes have been increased.
In 1932, Coty, a big tycoon of the perfume industry, founded the fascist party called "French collaboration". Also, "Fighting Crosses" and a number of other fascist organizations began to operate in the country. Their goal was to establish a fascist dictatorship in France as well.
The French fascists began to openly try to seize power. For this purpose, they organized an armed rebellion on February 1934, 6.
The Nazi revolt deeply distressed the healthy forces of French society.
On July 1935, 14, socialists, communists and radical parties held a big demonstration together. Thus, the "Popular Front" was born in France. The People's Front won the parliamentary elections held in April-May 1936. He took almost two-thirds of the total seats in the parliament. A new government was formed under the leadership of socialist Leon Blum. This government made a number of decisions, such as increasing wages, 40-hour work week, concluding collective agreements in enterprises, protecting the right of trade unions, and granting paid vacations.
The government's failure to overcome the budget deficit has further strained relations. All this forced L. Blum's government to resign in April 1938. Radical party leader Ye. Dalade formed a new government. His signing of the Munich Agreement on September 30 caused severe criticism in the People's Front.
In March 1939, there was no obstacle to Germany's invasion of Czechoslovakia. His intention was to turn the blade of German aggression to the East - to Russia.
Although France won the First World War, its economic development did not accelerate. He could not escape the influence of the great powers. Bicentenarians practiced politics. He became a victim of fascism.
Control questions.
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"How was the government of the National Bloc formed?"
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When was the "Little Entente" formed?
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When did the Nazi uprising take place?
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Why did the Popular Front government resign?