Economic Shifts and Political Extremism: 1920-1938
The Roaring Twenties
After World War I, a global economic revival occurred, despite a brief depression (1920-1921). Traditional industries like textiles and steel declined, while the U.S. emerged as a global economic power. New technologies, such as electrical appliances, telephones, and radios, saw dramatic growth. The automobile industry expanded significantly, especially in the U.S., boosting related industries like tires, metal, and petrochemicals. The Model T Ford revolutionized manufacturing, leading to the adoption of Taylorism, a method to increase efficiency by timing and streamlining work processes. While Taylorism boosted production, it also caused psychological strain on workers due to repetitive tasks.
Fascism’s Economic Policies
During the fascist dictatorship, the economy focused on large public works and social policies based on corporatism, a system resembling medieval guilds. The Carta del Lavoro established vertical unions of employers and employees, with the state having the final say in disputes. Freedom of association was suppressed. Policies like the Battle for Wheat aimed for grain self-sufficiency, and the Battle for Births sought to increase population. The Battle for Lira aimed to strengthen the currency, though it made exports more expensive. Infrastructure projects like railroads, highways, and reservoirs were undertaken. The 1929 Lateran Treaty resolved the Roman Question, recognizing Vatican City’s sovereignty and making religion a school subject.
German Nazism
Features
- Revenge: Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles, seeking to reclaim lost territories and avenge perceived injustices.
- Pan-Germanism: The belief that only pure-blooded Germans should be part of Germany, rooted in 19th-century nationalism.
- Anti-Semitism: Hatred of Jews, blaming them for Germany’s problems and advocating for their extermination.
- Racism: Belief in the Aryan race’s superiority, based on pseudoscientific interpretations of Darwinism.
Nazis in Power
Hitler’s rise was fueled by economic crisis and unemployment. Nazi propaganda, especially through radio, garnered mass support. After being appointed chancellor in 1933, Hitler consolidated power, suppressing freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. The Reichstag fire was used to imprison political opponents. The Night of the Long Knives eliminated rivals within the Nazi party. The Nuremberg Laws enforced racial segregation and persecution of Jews. Concentration camps like Dachau were established, and the Gestapo suppressed dissent. The Kristallnacht pogrom in 1938 marked a significant escalation in anti-Jewish violence, leading to the emigration of many prominent figures like Einstein.