The Great Depression

History Extended Paragraph
It is clear that by the end of the 1930’s, there was a breakdown of peaceful cooperation between countries. The Great Depression did play a role in the breakdown of the peaceful cooperation.   The Great Depression that had started in 1929 affected many countries around the world. The Depression caused the collapse of America’s economy. This largely affected the countries whose economy is dependent upon the American economy. One of these countries is Japan.   Japan’s economy was so dependent on the American economy that when it collapsed, Japan’s economy fell apart.   When this happened, Japan imposed tariffs on the imported and exported goods. Japan also did not have enough resources, as a result Japan invaded Manchuria and claimed that it was an act of ‘self-defense’. The League of Nations then held a meeting and came to the conclusion of telling the Japanese to return Manchuria to the Chinese.   The Japanese were not happy with this request and as a result they left the League of Nations and took over Jehol.   The Depression also affected Germany more than any other country because the German economy was too dependent upon the American economy. At that time the Weimar republic was controlling Germany. The depression led to vast unemployment in Germany and Hitler was able to use it against the Weimar republic to rise to power. The league accepted the suggestion that Germany should re-arm but to the extent that it has equal weapons to other countries. Germany did not like this and so they withdrew from the League of Nations. They did however agree to disarm if all the other powers disarmed. Germany however, was secretly re-arming its military. Germany’s goal was to make other nations disarm while they re-armed. This plan worked and Hitler withdrew from the League and so the League’s disarmament conference ended and so the plan of disarmament failed. After Hitler rose to power France was terrified because it needed an ally in case a war broke...