Chapter 12. The Interwar Years

Economic crisis. The Great Depression, following the 1929 stock market crash, caused mass unemployment and hardship around the world and weakened democracies [22].

Authoritarian movements. In Italy, Mussolini’s fascists took power in 1922. In Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933 and built a dictatorship based on extreme nationalism, racism and antisemitism. In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin consolidated power, collectivized agriculture and carried out mass repression. Militarists gained influence in Japan [22].

Colonial and national movements. In India, Mohandas Gandhi led non-violent campaigns against British rule; nationalist movements grew in China, Egypt, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. China experienced civil conflict and Japanese invasion from 1931 [22].

Culture and science. The interwar years saw jazz, modernism in art and literature, cinema, radio and major scientific advances.

Review: What was a main effect of the Great Depression on politics? (Answer: it weakened democracies and helped extremist movements gain support.)