After the First World War, Europe was socially, economically and politically crippled. The Great War had divided entire nations into two main sections: those who believed in the Extreme Left's ability to take control and regain national strength, prosperity and pride, and those following the Extreme Right's promise of leadership towards economic and political stability.

Throughout the inter-war period of 1919-1938, two main political movements were evident throughout Europe. Communism in the Soviet Union had been gaining strength and power under the rule of the Bolsheviks. Further West, Totalitarian ideologies were rising in the main European states, many of which had been involved in the wartime alliance. Mussolini's brand of Fascism was taking hold in Italy. The Spanish Civil war in the 1930's left Franco as dictator of the Spanish political system. Hitler's rise to power as leader of the newly formed Nazi Party in Germany, expanded fascist...