Totalitarian Regimes in Europe in 1939

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 10 October 2024
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This map illustrates the geopolitical situation in Europe in the lead-up to the Second World War (1939-45) as authoritarianism and totalitarianism were on the rise across the continent, fueled by political instability, economic crises, and the dissatisfaction many nations felt after the redrawing of borders after the First World War (1914-18).

This environment led to the growth of centralized, often dictatorial regimes. Despite this trend, the division between the Axis and Allies (the opposing blocks during WWII) did not align strictly with ideological differences. While a fascist regime led Axis Germany and Italy, this group also included authoritarian states like Hungary and Romania. The Allies, on the other hand, included democracies like the United Kingdom and France, but also Poland, which was under the authoritarian Sanation regime, and later the Soviet Union, a totalitarian state that joined the Allies in 1941.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2024, October 10). Totalitarian Regimes in Europe in 1939. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19550/totalitarian-regimes-in-europe-in-1939/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Totalitarian Regimes in Europe in 1939." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 10, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19550/totalitarian-regimes-in-europe-in-1939/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Totalitarian Regimes in Europe in 1939." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Oct 2024. Web. 21 Jan 2025.

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