• Interwar Period (1919-1939): Characterized by fear of war, Great Depression, and disillusionment with Treaty of Versailles.

  • Rise of fascism in Germany, Italy, and Spain; totalitarianism in the Soviet Union.

  • Totalitarian regimes employed mass media, propaganda, and terror for control.

  • Great Depression: Economic collapse starting in 1929, leading to widespread unemployment and vulnerability.

  • Public Sentiment: Many expressed despair post WWI; art and literature reflected this disillusionment (e.g., "lost generation").

  • Women’s Rights Advancements: Women gained suffrage in many countries, fueled by contributions during the war.

• League of Nations: Aimed at collective security but failed due to lack of enforcement mechanisms.

  • The mandate system allocated former colonies to Britain and France.

• Economic Hardships:

  • The economy began to recover by 1922 but faced underlying issues.

  • The Depression led to poverty and widespread homelessness (e.g., "Hoovervilles").

  • Social Unrest: Radical political movements gained traction; authoritarian regimes proliferated in response to instability.

• Political Responses:

  • Countries transitioned from democracy to authoritarianism, rejecting liberalism.

  • Fascism became prominent, with leaders like Mussolini and Hitler rising to power through fear and nationalistic fervor.

• Cultural Changes: Post-war era saw a shift in art (Dadaism, Surrealism) and intellectual movements (Freudian psychology).

  • Art reflected trauma of war; modernist movements arose against traditional norms.

• Significant Events:

  • Hitler’s Rise: Became Chancellor in 1933, established a police state, and enforced anti-Semitic policies.

  • Stalin’s USSR: Implemented Five-Year Plans for rapid industrialization; extensive purges occurred.

  • Spanish Civil War: Highlighted conflict between fascism and communism, impacting broader European politics.

• Impact on Society: Amidst the oppression, ordinary citizens found some sense of community and identity through state-controlled mass culture and leisure activities.

The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was caused by a combination of factors:

• Stock Market Crash: The initial trigger was the stock market crash in October 1929, which led to a significant loss of wealth and confidence among investors.

• Bank Failures: The crash caused many banks to fail, resulting in a loss of savings for individuals and businesses, which further exacerbated economic instability.

• Reduction in Consumer Spending: As people lost money in the stock market and experienced job loss, consumer spending decreased dramatically, leading to a decline in demand for goods and services.

• Overproduction: Industries had been producing more goods than could be consumed, leading to an excess inventory and subsequent layoffs.

• Decline in International Trade: Protectionist trade policies, such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, restricted trade and worsened the global economic situation.

• Economic Policies: Poor monetary and fiscal policies by governments and central banks aimed at addressing the economic slowdown contributed to the deepening of the recession.