During the time between World War I and World War II, many totalitarian governments took control. This happened mostly because of economic problems and political chaos. Let’s break down how this occurred:

1. Economic Crises:

   • The Great Depression was a huge reason for the change. It hurt economies all over the world, causing a lot of people to lose their jobs and live in poverty. Countries like Germany faced serious challenges, making people turn to extreme political ideas as they looked for quick fixes.

2. Weakness of Democratic Governments:

   • Many new democracies, especially in Eastern Europe, had a tough time staying stable. Governments changed often and did not solve problems effectively. This made people lose faith in democracy and look for radical parties that promised strong and decisive leaders.

3. Social Unrest:

   • The economic struggles led to a lot of unhappiness. Strikes, protests, and riots became common, which created chaos. Leaders like Mussolini in Italy used this unrest to their advantage, presenting themselves as strong figures who could bring back order and national pride.

4. Propaganda and Control:

   • After taking power, these governments quickly took control of the media and used propaganda to share their ideas. For instance, Hitler’s Nazi party was very good at using propaganda to promote their beliefs and make their enemies look bad, which helped them gain a lot of followers.

5. Appeal to Nationalism:

   • Totalitarian regimes often tapped into feelings of nationalism, promising to bring back their countries' former greatness. This was especially strong in countries like Italy and Germany, where the Treaty of Versailles and other agreements after World War I caused a lot of anger.

6. Use of Violence and Intimidation:

   • These governments often used violence to get rid of any opposition. Groups like the SA (Sturmabteilung) in Germany used fear to silence their critics and build their power.

In summary, a mix of economic despair, weak governments, and social turmoil created a perfect situation for totalitarian leaders to rise and take charge. This changed the political scene in Europe during the interwar years.