Martin Conway explores the fascinating history of Catholic political movements in Europe between 1918 and 1945. Demonstrating the crucial role Catholics played in the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, the events of the Spanish Civil War and of the Second World War, he shows how Catholic movements formed a vital element of the political life of Europe during the interwar years in both eastern and western Europe. From Portugal to Lithuania to Ireland, Catholics were a "third force" in European politics, fighting for political ideals, hostile to both liberal democracy and totalitarian fascism.

Preface Introduction 1 The Catholic heritage 2 The 1920s: expansion and democratisation 3 The 1930s: radicalisation and authoritarianism 4 Catholicism during the Second World War: a changed continuity; Conclusion