Europe in the 1930s: the rise of the dictators and the collapse of the international order

What is the course about?

In this course, we will study how, within the context of the Great Depression and its dramatic effects on societies and politics, democracy faded as authoritarianism appeared to many across Europe as a solution, and how the international order collapsed under the assaults of Mussolini and above all Hitler, setting Europe on the path to war. Even in Russia, left untouched by the Depression, Stalin’s regime became increasingly totalitarian. The few democracies that survived sought accommodation to try to preserve peace but ultimately failed.

What will we cover?

Topics will include:

• From the 1920s to the 1930s
• The USSR under Stalin
- The first Five-Year Plan: Stalin’s “revolution from above”
- The Cultural Revolution and its consequences
- Repression and terror
• Hitler and the Nazis in power
- The rise to power
- The consolidation of power
- The socio-economic policies of the Third Reich
- Racial policies
• Fascist Italy during the 1930s
- Economic policies
- Racial policies
- The foreign policy shift
• From Poland to the Balkans: tensions in Central and Eastern Europe and the rise of dictators (with the exception of Czechoslovakia)
- The impact of the Great Depression on the economies of the region
- The Central and Eastern European dictatorships: some common characteristics
- Austria: the Austro-fascism of Engelbert Dolfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg
- Hungary: the shift towards the right under Gyula G¿mb¿s
- Poland: from Pilsudski to the “dictatorless dictatorship”
- The Baltic republics: the presidential dictatorships
- The royal dictatorships of the Balkans
• The surviving democracies: Britain and France
• The Spanish Republic and the Civil War
- The Second Spanish Republic
- The Spanish Civil War
• Hitler, Mussolini and the collapse of the post-war international system
- The erosion of multilateralism
- Italy’s revisionism and imperialism
- The remilitarisation of the Rhineland
- The Rome-Berlin Axis and its implications
- Hitler’s triumphs, from the Anschluss to Munich
- The question of the Soviet alliance, Danzig, and the preparations for war.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Assess how the Great Depression favoured the rise of dictators in several European countries
Analyse how Hitler and Mussolini progressively undermined the international system created after the First World War
Analyse how Stalin consolidated in power
Explain constructively why Britain and France sought accommodation with Hitler.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Some background knowledge about European history would be useful but is not essential.
A good standard of English is required.
An open mind and a willingness to engage, respectfully in class discussion and debate.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be a combination of lectures, backed by PowerPoint presentations, and discussions in large and small groups. Handouts will be given in each class. Material to prepare the discussions will be available on the course website.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a pen and paper.
Books will be recommended but students are not required to purchase them if they do not wish.
This is not an exam course.
There are no extra costs.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Other courses in European and global history. Please see the City Lit website.