The Interwar Period

Democracies

Fascism

Nazism

Communism

Mainly the US and the UK

1924-29 was the highlight of the IW period

Prior to the Great Depression the economies and diplomacy were flourishing

The Great Depression caused a dramatic drop in the economy

In Britain, the Labor Party came to power

In the US, FDR proposed and passed the New Deal

Overall, there was a shift of support to the left

Began in Italy

Mussolini took control of the Italian government

Characterized by a charismatic leader, nationalism, and militarism

Prior to the March on Rome, Italians were dissatisfied with Italy's minor role in WW1

Mussolini had a 7% vote in 1921, but 65% in 1924

By 1924, Mussolini was effectively a dictator

Started issuing propaganda, controlling the press, and regulating freedom of speech

Named after the Nazi party in Germany

Led by Adolf Hitler

Started out small, but eventually became a large party with a close to 20% vote

Once Hitler became chancellor, he began merging the state with the Nazi party

The Nazis took over the police, education, government offices, etc.

Hitler himself was inspiredby his war experiences, where he was highly decorated

Nazism focused on scapegoating Jews for their perceived success after the war

Began in Russia in the 1920s

Stalin and Trotsky struggled for power but eventually Stalin came out on top

Centralized government, effectively turned into a dictatorship

Stalin was directly responsible for deaths caused by the Ukraine famine, collectivization, Gulags, and purges which killed millions of men

Communism was initiated by Lenin, but put into effect by Stalin

Highly authoritarian, as Stalin obliterated any opposition

Free speech and the media were highly censored