Final answer:
After World War I, Europeans distrusted traditional authorities due to the failure of monarchies, ineffective democratic governments, economic struggles, and the catastrophic human costs of war, which gave rise to extremism such as fascism and totalitarianism, culminating in World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many Europeans were distrustful of traditional government and religious leaders after World War I due to the immense devastation and the profound disillusionment that followed the conflict.
The old order of monarchy and nobility was effectively dismantled, and republican democracy, which many had hoped would prevent such a catastrophe, instead seemed to crumble into partisan disagreements.
The ideals of the Enlightenment and rationality were called into question as cultural and intellectual progress marched on alongside an arduous economic recovery.
The aftermath of the war saw the emergence of extremist political movements such as fascism and totalitarianism in response to the perceived failures of democratic governments.
In Germany, the unexpected defeat and subsequent impositions of the Treaty of Versailles led to a sense of national humiliation and the spread of conspiracy theories, such as the 'Stab in the Back' myth. These sentiments contributed to the political instability and the eventual rise of authoritarian regimes, setting the stage for World War II.