Why was the 1st world war followed by the emergence of a number of totalitarian governments?

Answer 1

The countries that emerged from the baptism of WW1 were vastly different to the ones from pre war. There were many countires that had taken a great leap forward technologically, socially and economically. Others were left as a heap of ruins and during this social chaos, strong leaders who can point blame elsewhere and lead enough people to legally choose them have the ability to turn into the totalitarian rulers we know. there was also a decline in the nepotistic system of reigning monarchs in most of Europe which had provided great stability up until then.

Italy was on the winning side (if you can call it that) in WW1, but fascism came to power in 1923. Generalissimo Franco of Spain came to power with a military coup in the late 1930's. Hitler was elected to power and took control of the Reichstag (parliament) in 1933 and became chancellor and fuhrer following the death of Hindenburg. Stalin was elected leader of the Communist party following the collapse of the Russians and the rise of the Soviets at the end of 1917. Obviously, some countries that have always had a democratic society maintained it, eg France, Britain and the low countries

Answer 2

Because the old regimes had been discredited and overthrown. People were looking for strong leaders who would lift them out of economic and social chaos.