Rebuilding Europe: 1918-1920
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1918: Aftermath
France in Chaos
In the first months of 1918, as the First World war finally ended in a resounding French defeat, the riots and mutinies continued throughout the country. On Febuary 2nd, the Paris massacre occured as 12 French policemen and over 150 protestors were killed in an uncontrolled melee battle. As a result of this, on Febuary 5th, Paris experianced a massive military crackdown, which stopped the killings but caused the people to further dislike the military, which many of them saw as "weak" and "spineless". The French production decreased by 25% from its pre-WW1 output throughout the year, putting France further behind Germany, which they vowed revenge on. over the next months, the riots continued, with combined killings estimated at over 1,200 people. On July 9th, the people began to turn towards the following year's elections, as political parties fought each other to capitalize on the views of the populace. The National Bloc, led by Right and Center parties began to take the lead, as they played on the French hate of Germany (propaganda showed a German flag burning while a triumphant French soldier stood by) and the public mistrust of the Bolshevics, socialism, and the new communism. Opposed to the National Bloc was the socialist parties, which failed to work together and began to lose support. The roits quited down as the french planned to "get their way" through the election. Meanwhile, money from Britian and the US began to flow in, and projects were undertaken to try and rebuild the French economy. much of the northern landscape was covered in craters, trenches, and barbed wire, and thus a massive cleanup program began. The French governmnet was lacking money, and thus the progress was slow even after international support.
Germany Victorious
As the peace of Copenhagen was signed, the German populace was estatic, with a great rise in nationalism. Popular propaganda showed a map of europe, with the German empire and her loyal allies straddling the continent, while the French and Russians cowered in their meager territory. Kaiser Wilhelm II gained massive support, as he had brought victory to the German people. As the celebrations began to abate in June and July, more important matters came up. The military dictatorship that the German Empire had effectivly become had to end, with the Kaiser regaining power and the old system implimented. However, this system was to be tested, as many political parties called for a new constitution and an adoption of the parlimentary system.