During the 1930s, much of Europe was marked by political upheaval, economic instability, and the rise of nationalist and fascist movements. Several countries in Europe, such as Germany, Italy, and Spain, experienced the rise of authoritarian regimes that engaged in aggressive expansionist policies and sought to reshape the political landscape of Europe. The Great Depression, a global economic crisis, hit Europe particularly hard, leading to high unemployment, widespread poverty, and social unrest. These conditions created fertile ground for the emergence of extremist ideologies and paved the way for the events that would culminate in the outbreak of World War II in 1939.