1919-1939: Years between WWI and WWII

Europe 1918-1922 1918-1919 After WWI The Great Flu Epidemic killed about 22 million people worldwide 1919 After WWI ends, the Allies charge Germany $33 Billion in damages aka “guilt clause” The Allies restricted Germany’s military to 100,000 and Germany was upset at the guilt clause By 1922 Germany’s financial crisis stopped it from making anymore payments to the Allies

1921 France & Poland made a secret agreement/alliance in case Germany attacked them If Poland was attacked by Russia, France would attack Germany by land and sea Fascist government puts the government above peoples rights and is led by a Dictator Dictator is a person that rules with absolute (unlimited) power

Dictator Takes Power 1922 Italy, Dictator Benito Mussolini took power & created a fascist government (no democracy) Mussolini relied on military/police power to maintain control and also controlled all the media Soon there were Fascist Parties (political groups) based on Mussolini's system in many countries Mussolini wasn’t able to completely control Italy (i.e. military) unlike Hitler in Germany & Stalin Russia

Worse Dictator Takes Power 1928 Russia, Dictator and Josef Stalin took over as leader of the Communist Party (Communism) Communism is a system in which all property and resources are collectively owned by society Stalin’s Five Year Plans were agricultural & economic policies causing the death of millions The plan was part of the Totalitarian government, which aims to completely control citizens