In between Wars

Britain, France,Italy, Spain& Sweden

Britain was no longer the leading industrial nation in Europe. Big parts of merchant fleet had been sank during the war. Big debt to USA. Rising unemployment. War veterans resented government when

they could not get jobs.

New rules about elections. 1918: General suffrage for men over 21. 1928: Women got the right to vote.

Rise of the left in politics.- More workers voting.- Labour Party gets more votes.- Liberals loosing votes.- 1924: First ever Labour-government.

Britain

France had lost 1,5 million soldiers in the war. Many civilians died during the war. Many French wanted revenge on Germany.

- Versailles Treaty.- Occupation of Ruhr in 1923.

Politics were in crisis.- 40 different governments in between 1919 and 1939.- Extreme natonalistic parties, such as  La ligue des Croix-de-feu and Action Francaise.- Leftist parties joined forces as ”People’s Front”.

  Women got the right to vote in 1945.

France

Italy had joined WW1 to Allies’ side in 1915.

- High hopes about gaining power because Italy was on winning side.- Resentment when Italy failed to gain advantage with peace treaty.

Economic problems and unemployment. Political unrest in Northern Italy.

- Socialists occupying factories. 1922: Fascist Party, ”The Black shirts” marched into Rome

- Benito Mussolini was appointed Prime Minister by the king.- ”Il Duce” – ”The Leader”.

Emergency law in attempt to gain order in the country. All opposition was silenced and all other parties were banned. Mussolini was celebrated as the strong leader Itale needed. Mussolini’s idea of ”Mare Nostrum”.

- Power around Mediterranean Sea.- War was necessary in order to gain power.

Italy

1936: Extreme Right starts uprising against the

Spanish government. Uprising is lead by General Francisco Franco. This is the start of a Civil war.

- Nationalistic side was supported by Italy & Germany.- Republican side was supported by Soviet Union.- Many volunteers from different countries,

Civil war lasted for 3 years. Franco won and introduced a fascist dictatorship

in Spain. 

Spain

1921: Women got the right to vote. Both Liberals and Social Democrats had wanted this

reform. Parliament (Riksdagen) had difficulties to work.

- Conflict between Socialist and Right-wing parties. Economy went up and down.   After 1932 election Social Democrats gained power.

- Per Albin Hansson’s One-party-government- Crisis politics working.- Unemployment reduced. 

Vision of People’s home, ”Folkhemmet”.- Welfare politics of Social Democrats.

Sweden