World War II Aftermath and the Rise of Fascism
The Aftermath of World War II
Europe was devastated, its population decimated. An estimated 50 million fatalities included both military personnel and civilians. Physical destruction was widespread, primarily affecting cities, infrastructure, and industrial centers like Zaandam. Countries not directly involved in the conflict, such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden, became major suppliers and experienced significant economic growth. The war also left a profound moral impact. Border adjustments led to a high number of forced population movements.
Post-War Peace Conferences
The three major Allies (Great Britain, the USA, and the USSR) met for the first time at the Tehran Conference in November 1943. There, they coordinated their first joint military actions.
The second major conference, held in Yalta, decided on the elimination of the Nazi regime in Germany and Austria, dividing them into four zones of occupation. A similar division was planned for the cities of Berlin and Vienna.
The third conference, held in Potsdam in 1945, revealed significant disagreements regarding:
- Annexed territories
- The separation of Austria
- Military industry dismantling
- The prosecution and punishment of Nazi leaders
The Formation of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was founded at the San Francisco Conference in April 1945, replacing the League of Nations. It began with 46 founding states, with the objective of maintaining international peace and security, as well as fostering cooperation among nations. At the UN, all member states are represented in the General Assembly, where decisions require a two-thirds majority. It also established a Security Council.
The Rise of Italian Fascism
The end of the war left a profound legacy in Italy, with approximately 70,000 casualties. Economically, many industries remained unused, men’s wages fell, and unemployment steadily increased. Furthermore, the peace agreements were a major disappointment. The Treaty of London (1915) led to the widespread idea that Italy’s main participation in the war had been a deception, fueling irredentist sentiments.
This situation led to extreme political instability, with five different governments forming between 1919 and 1922. A general economic crisis and strong social tension, particularly in northern Italy, led to movements where striking farmers occupied land from landowners.
Mussolini and the Fascist Movement
In this crisis, Benito Mussolini emerged, creating the Fascist Fighting Squads (known as the Blackshirts) in 1919. These paramilitary groups sought to suppress the rising labor movement. By 1921, the Fascists transformed into the National Fascist Party, gaining support from the petty bourgeoisie and financial backing from large landowners. In the 1921 elections, the Fascist Party secured 22 deputies, supported by 300,000 Blackshirts.
The Fascist Dictatorship in Italy
Between 1922 and 1925, Mussolini systematically restricted freedoms and persecuted opponents. After winning the 1924 elections amidst violence against his opponents, he consolidated his authoritarian regime, assuming the title of Duce. Political parties were prohibited, their leaders persecuted and imprisoned. Parliament was replaced by a Chamber of Fasci. Strikes and independent unions were banned, replaced by a system of cooperation between employers and the state.