About this event

Europe between the world wars was plagued by crippling political polarization and violence on the streets. Skepticism of democracy grew among ordinary Europeans as fascists, Nazis, and authoritarians attacked political institutions across the continent. This talk will explore the themes in James McSpadden’s recently published book A Continent of Colleagues: Backroom Politics and Interwar Democracy (University of Toronto Press, 2025). Challenging the common narrative of the1920s and 1930s as an era of insurmountable political division, A Continent of Colleagues delves into the behind-the- scenes world of European politics.

This event is a collaboration between the Core Humanities Program’s Distinguished Professor Lecture Series, University Libraries, and Department of History’s Book Talk Series

Additional information

• Attendance type: In person