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In the wake of the 1914-18 war, European countries adopted rival political ideologies. First Italy, then Germany, moved to the political right with the adoption respectively of Fascism and National Socialism. Russia during the war had seen two revolutions culminating in the first state purporting to apply the principles of Marxism-Leninism. The course will explore the origins and course of the rivalry which ensued through the 1920s and 1930s both within and between countries. Key questions for us to consider will include: · Why did the Great War lead to a radicalisation of politics in Europe? · How were small insurgent parties able in Italy and Germany to move from the fringes of power to control of the State? · How was Stalin able to secure personal power in the USSR and how did he use this power? · How was democracy able to survive in USA, Britain and France? · How did economic and political changes impact on the relations between European Powers?