The Russian Revolution and its Aftermath
The Soviet Union in the 1920s was considered to be an extraordinarily artistic environment in which to be. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 many artists and writers felt liberated by their environment and wished to be part of the 'new' Russia. This was not to last, however, especially after the rise to power of Josef Stalin. Find out about the revolution of 1917 and its aftermath. See if you can find out about the artistic scene of the 1920s, especially in the field of painting and the visual arts, and then contrast this with its decline in the 1930s and beyond. Find out about any other dissident artists and musicians who were working in the former Soviet Union up until its collapse.

The Rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany and the Civil War in Spain
After the First World War Germany went into economic decline and, during the 20s, many people suffered extraordinary hardship during the depression. In fact, these hardships were replicated all over the western world with America also suffering as a result of the Wall Street Crash of 1928. However, this lethal cocktail led to the rise of extremism in the shape of the German Nazi Party and in Italy to the rise of fascism led by Mussolini. In Spain extremism had led to a civil war, with the communists fighting the fascists, and even Britain experienced its own form of fascism led by the aristocrat Sir Oswald Mosley. Find out about the rise of such political movements in both Germany and Spain. Why did so many British writers and intellectuals choose to fight against the fascists in Spain, for example? In contrast, many British aristocrats actually flirted with fascist ideas. For example, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor met Hitler on several occasions. Why might this be? If you get time try to read the novel (or watch the film) 'The Remains of the Day' by Kazuo Ishiguro, which explores these issues through fictional accounts.