The period between World War I and World War II marked one of the most transformative eras in human history. Following the “War to End All Wars,” the world experienced dramatic changes that would ultimately lead to an even larger global conflict.

The Aftermath of World War I
When the guns fell silent in 1918, Europe lay in ruins. The old empires – Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, German, and Russian – had crumbled. New nations emerged from their ashes, redrawing the map of Europe. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including massive war reparations and territorial losses, creating resentment that would later have severe consequences.

The Roaring Twenties
The 1920s brought a dramatic cultural shift, particularly in the United States. This era saw:

• The rise of mass consumer culture
• New forms of entertainment like radio and movies
• The emergence of jazz music
• Changing roles for women, including gaining the right to vote
• Technological advances in automobiles and aviation
• Economic prosperity and stock market speculation

The Rise of Fascism
While some nations experienced prosperity, others faced political turmoil. In Italy, Benito Mussolini established the first Fascist regime in 1922. Fascism promoted:

• Extreme nationalism
• Single-party rule
• The supremacy of the state over individual rights
• Militarism and expansion
• Opposition to democracy and communism

The Great Depression
The prosperity of the 1920s came to an abrupt end with the stock market crash of 1929. What began as an American financial crisis soon spread globally:

• Banks failed worldwide
• International trade collapsed
• Unemployment reached unprecedented levels
• Farmers faced severe hardship
• Political instability increased

The Rise of Nazi Germany
Germany, still struggling with the aftermath of World War I and hit hard by the Depression, saw the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. By 1933, Hitler had become Chancellor and established a totalitarian state characterized by:

• Aggressive nationalism
• Anti-Semitism
• Military rearmament
• Territorial expansion
• Suppression of opposition

Global Impact
These developments affected nations worldwide:

• Colonial powers struggled to maintain their empires
• Japan became increasingly militaristic
• The Soviet Union underwent rapid industrialization
• Latin American economies suffered from falling commodity prices
• Democratic nations struggled to address economic and social challenges

This period set the stage for World War II, as economic hardship, political extremism, and aggressive nationalism created conditions that would lead to global conflict. Understanding these years helps us comprehend not only how World War II began but also how modern international relations were shaped.

Crash Course Content

• Post-World War I Recovery
• Economic Depression and Dictators

Sources

Gustave Le Bon, “Mass Psychology” (1895)

Paul Valéry, On European Civilization and the European Mind, c. 1919, 1922

Franz Kafka, The Trial, 1925 (excerpt)

Bertrand Russell, On Modern Uncertainty, 1922

Jose Ortega y Gasset, The Revolt of the Masses, 1930

W. H. Auden, The Unknown Citizen, 1939

Rubén Darío, To Roosevelt

The Age of Anxiety: Europe in the 1920s (lecture notes)

The Lost Generation of 1914 (lecture notes)

Benito Mussolini, “What is Fascism” (1932)
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf / selections (1925, 1926)