Fascist Italy
Rise of Fascist party - in wake of post-war economic & political crisis
Mussolini, Fascists (Black Shirts) use violence, disruption-promote order and control
Black Shirts come to power, 1922 - via popular dictate, then assume total power by 1924
Fascist Italy: economic and political corporatism under one party rule
Italy: battle between right and left- sig. For much of Europe: 1919-1939
USSR: 1924-1929
Power struggle between Stalin & Trotsky for Soviet leadership after Lenin’s death
Trotsky (& supporters) focus- international revolution, collectivization & proletariat
Stalin emerges as arch-enemy against Trotsky & anti-NEP by 1929
Stalinism: collectivization, de-kulakization, industrialization, political purges-
Stalinism: "Socialism in one country" - reduction of "Comintern"
France & GB: 1920’s
France: left-right swings in government, economic problems are prominent
1923: Ruhr occupation - French almost involved in war with Germany
GB: Labour party emerges as an important force-socialism is ascendant during economic malaise of 1920’s
Ireland-revolution 1916-1921 - Sinn Fein & IRA est.
Irish Free State, 1921 - continued civil war through 1932 - N. Ireland: legacy to today
Germany: 1920’s
Weimar Republic: "outsiders become insiders," - a flawed democracy
German response to absurd reparations: print more money
economic policy- causes massive, devastating inflation - esp. to middle & lower classes
German society opened up like never before: art, cinema, free expression
By late 1920’s, republic is crumbling from organized, forceful opposition: left & right
Discussion Questions
How are economics and political change connected in 1920’s?
How did rising totalitarians of 1920’s fit into Hegelian theory?