Economics

1. La Belle Époque

This early period of the twentieth century was marked by a number of demographic, political, economic, scientific and technological shifts that created not only a heightened pace of economic development but marked the end of an era of monarchies and deference to institutional norms. Explain the evolution of the European economy during this period, demonstrating measurements of its change and offering insights as to why the arrival of World War I marked such a cataclysmic end to this period in European history.

2. The Post World War I Era

Present the economic trends, their causes and effects of the post-war period that created such instability across the continent: no longer being the world’s banker, shifting industrial needs, a political map rearranged, the demands for reparations and the Russian revolution.

3. Political and Economic Turmoil Leading to Depression

The early years following the war were marker with surprising growth in Europe: between 1921 and 1925 GDP in Western Europe grew by 23%. However, depending on what corner of Europe is considered, there was a gradual undermining of political and economic stability – one determining impacts upon the other – in virtually every county of Europe. Politically, these ran the gamut from the arrival of union power to the military overthrow of governments. Economically, they ran the gamut from the struggle to maintain the gold standard to hyper-inflation. Trace the major economic events of the era and highlight the impacts of their trends on a selected set of countries. Conclude with lessons learned.