Embedded Files
What happened after World War I?
What happened after World War I?
Post-World War I Recovery
Post-World War I Recovery
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France.
The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded, with Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France and Great Britain each losing nearly a million or more lives. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure.
Democracy was popular among many Europe states as this was inspired by President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech, where states adopted a parliamentary system with elected governments, a range of political parities, the right to vote and an emphasis on individual rights.
Political Structures: Democracy vs Communism
Political Structures: Democracy vs Communism
To read up more about Soviet Union's Communism, click here to access the information.
Rise of Authoritarian Rule from 1920s to 1930s
Rise of Authoritarian Rule from 1920s to 1930s
Context:
Political and Economic Instability --> Alternative government
People were disappointed with the governments that took over after WWI as they failed to deliver peace and economic recovery. Furthermore, with the 1929 Great Depression, democratic governments were not able to respond to the crisis of failing economy, inflation and unemployment.
Examples of strong personalities that rose to popularity during this period:
Fear of communism
Why so? Who feared them?
Why so? Who feared them?
Rise of communism was a threat to the way of life of the democratic government.
Bolsheviks seizing power during the October Revolution in 1917 led to a wave of socialist inspired revolts throughout Europe.
Elite and business owners in Western European democratic countries were worried that communist ideas would spread and affect their assests and properties due to the beliefs of the communist.
Authoritarianism and Nationalism
Why were they popular?
Why were they popular?
Nationalism: Nationalism is an ideology that emphasises loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or nation-state and such obligations outweigh other individual or group interests.
Authoritarian leaders used nationalistic ideas to get the support as they were able to respond effectively to the economic crises of the 1930s.
Page updated
Report abuse