Fracture

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After the Great War ended in 1918, the West faced profound disillusionment as faith, patriotism, and belief in progress were shattered by the mass carnage. The old order collapsed, giving way to a machine-driven age. In this tumultuous environment, historian Philipp Blom explores how citizens turned inward, engaging in hedonistic, aesthetic, and intellectual pursuits of self-discovery. This era was marked by both bitter disillusionment and visionary progress, as artists, scientists, and philosophers navigated the complexities of a broken world. Movements like Surrealism and innovations in art, science, and culture emerged, alongside works such as Oswald Spengler's The Decline of the West and Fritz Lang's Metropolis. However, this period also saw a rise in racism and xenophobia, as America closed its borders to European refugees amidst the Great Depression. Disenchanted voters on both sides of the Atlantic gravitated towards Communism and fascism, leading to the formation of violent political parties that foreshadowed another global conflict. Blom vividly captures the ambition, artistry, and innovation of the interwar period, highlighting the seismic shifts that continue to influence our world today.