EUROPE OF THE DICTATORS
This module focuses on the dictatorships in Europe between 1919 and 1939. Europe would never be the same after the First World War. The ‘war to end all wars' was followed by a period dominated by economic depression, dictatorship and by a further devastating conflict. While apparently diverse, the dictatorships shared a common rejection of the liberal/democratic tradition. They also had marked similarities in practice: the cult of the leader; the use of repression and of propaganda. The focus is on Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, on the circumstances in which they came to power, thrived and developed; also on how their regimes affected society, and why there was so little effective opposition.
The full course outline may be downloaded here.