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