The Retreat from Democracy

Move towards authoritarianism Throughout much of central and eastern Europe, the uncertainty of the post-war years allowed for authoritarian leaders to consolidate power. Throughout much of central and eastern Europe, the uncertainty of the post-war years allowed for authoritarian leaders to consolidate power. These nations were often economically stagnant, divided over social issues, and politically divided. These nations were often economically stagnant, divided over social issues, and politically divided. The Great Depression furthered these problems. The Great Depression furthered these problems.

Hungary Despite being a constitutional government, Hungary continued to be dominated through rigged elections by the old Magyar aristocracy. Despite being a constitutional government, Hungary continued to be dominated through rigged elections by the old Magyar aristocracy. Fascism slowly grew in appeal, as did anti- Semitism. Fascism slowly grew in appeal, as did anti- Semitism. Even so, Hungary never became a full- fledged dictatorship. Even so, Hungary never became a full- fledged dictatorship.

Romania Romania’s liberal government gave way to the rule of King Carol II, who admired Mussolini. Romania’s liberal government gave way to the rule of King Carol II, who admired Mussolini. The Iron Guard became the leader of fascist inspired activities in Romania. The Iron Guard became the leader of fascist inspired activities in Romania. The government stripped most Jews of land and rights, tightened censorship and imposed martial law. The government stripped most Jews of land and rights, tightened censorship and imposed martial law. In the late 1930’s, Romania turned away from Fascism. In the late 1930’s, Romania turned away from Fascism.

Yugoslavia King Alexander I assumed dictatorial powers in 1929 in an attempt to suppress the growing nationalism of Serbians, Croats, and Slovenians. King Alexander I assumed dictatorial powers in 1929 in an attempt to suppress the growing nationalism of Serbians, Croats, and Slovenians. The nation drew closer to Germany and Italy, but turned back to democratic rule in the late 1930’s. The nation drew closer to Germany and Italy, but turned back to democratic rule in the late 1930’s. King Alexander I

Bulgaria Bulgaria experienced a military coup in 1934 which began a turn more toward fascism. Bulgaria experienced a military coup in 1934 which began a turn more toward fascism. But, like in many other states, Bulgaria moved back toward liberal measures. But, like in many other states, Bulgaria moved back toward liberal measures. This was done for the support of France and Britain against a belligerent Germany and because fascist parties were hard to control. This was done for the support of France and Britain against a belligerent Germany and because fascist parties were hard to control.

Poland Poland was plagued by divisions over the proper course of the nation. Poland was plagued by divisions over the proper course of the nation. Socialists, Catholics, Fascists, landowners and peasants fought for domination of the country. Socialists, Catholics, Fascists, landowners and peasants fought for domination of the country. Marshall Jozef Pilsudski took power in an military revolt, which he relinquished once his followers had a majority in parliament. Marshall Jozef Pilsudski took power in an military revolt, which he relinquished once his followers had a majority in parliament. Poland continued to be dominated by the military. Poland continued to be dominated by the military. Jozef Pilsudski

Greece The Greek Rep. (est. 1924) lasted little more than a decade. The Greek Rep. (est. 1924) lasted little more than a decade. The growing power of the monarchists brought King George II back to the throne. The growing power of the monarchists brought King George II back to the throne. When liberals made gains, General Metaxas declared himself dictator in a fascist style regime. When liberals made gains, General Metaxas declared himself dictator in a fascist style regime. General Metaxas

Austria Austria, no longer an imperial nation, was divided between the cities and countryside. Austria, no longer an imperial nation, was divided between the cities and countryside. The Christian Socialist Party, which combined welfare, nationalism and antisemitism, moved toward fascism. The Christian Socialist Party, which combined welfare, nationalism and antisemitism, moved toward fascism. They came into conflict with the Socialists. They came into conflict with the Socialists. In the late 1930’s Nazi Germany became a dominant influence. In the late 1930’s Nazi Germany became a dominant influence.

Spain Economic problems and political discontent led to the rise of General Primo de Rivera in a fascist style dictatorship. Economic problems and political discontent led to the rise of General Primo de Rivera in a fascist style dictatorship. His failure led to his exile by King Alfonso, who was later exiled himself. His failure led to his exile by King Alfonso, who was later exiled himself. Republican government did nothing to solve Spain’s divisions, leading to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in Republican government did nothing to solve Spain’s divisions, leading to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in Primo de Rivera

Spread of Fascism Whether in power or not, most fascist movements had much in common. Whether in power or not, most fascist movements had much in common. They used symbolism, marches, nationalism, and violence to gain supporters in the promise of national glory. They used symbolism, marches, nationalism, and violence to gain supporters in the promise of national glory. They addressed people’s fears by rejecting Marxism and capitalism and called for order based on national unity. They addressed people’s fears by rejecting Marxism and capitalism and called for order based on national unity. Oswald Mosely

The Great Depression Despite a strong world economy in the 1920’s deep seeded problems came to the fore. Despite a strong world economy in the 1920’s deep seeded problems came to the fore. The United States, the largest creditor, kept much of Europe’s economy afloat (U.S. lent to Germany which paid reparations to Allies who repaid debts to U.S.). The United States, the largest creditor, kept much of Europe’s economy afloat (U.S. lent to Germany which paid reparations to Allies who repaid debts to U.S.). Many European industries continued to suffer and runaway inflation in Germany severely undermined its economy. Many European industries continued to suffer and runaway inflation in Germany severely undermined its economy.

The Great Depression The U.S. stock market crash of 1929 began the process of world economic slide. The U.S. stock market crash of 1929 began the process of world economic slide. With the loss of capital, the U.S. loans stopped, crippling the European economy. With the loss of capital, the U.S. loans stopped, crippling the European economy. Banks around the world failed, industrial production dropped by a third, unemployment rose to the millions across Europe and the U.S. Banks around the world failed, industrial production dropped by a third, unemployment rose to the millions across Europe and the U.S.

The Great Depression Governments attempted to help, but most policies were ineffective in reducing unemployment or promoting production. Governments attempted to help, but most policies were ineffective in reducing unemployment or promoting production. The failures of the democracies to deal with these problems gave fascism and communism a new voice. The failures of the democracies to deal with these problems gave fascism and communism a new voice. Industrial production in the Soviet Union rose during the period. Industrial production in the Soviet Union rose during the period.