This course covers aspects of western European history from 1914 to the 1990s. Its themes are the roots of the profound crisis of democracy and civil society and the parallel rise of radical intolerance in Europe between 1918 and 1945 and the causes behind the success of democratic republics since World War II. We consider the social and economic impact of the two World Wars, the extraordinary artistic vitality of the 1920s, and the reasons why some countries produced large and successful fascist movements while others did not. We also discuss the rise of Communist parties and the crisis of democratic socialism. In the post-war era we focus on European responses to revolts against colonialism, the "economic miracle" of the 1950s, anti-Communism, and student radicalism of the 1960s. Readings include primary sources, novels, reportage, and scholarly monographs.