EUROPE: MODERN HISTORYWorld War I, World War II, and the Cold War

WHAT IS WORLD WAR I?

1914-1918 2nd largest conflict in

human history 70 million

participants 9 million killed

CAUSES OF WWI: MAIN

MilitarismAlliancesImperialismNationalism

CAUSES OF WWI: MILITARISM

World powers built large militaries.Germany and France double the size

of their militaries between 1870 and 1914

Germany and Britain build battleships.

CAUSES OF WWI: ALLIANCES

CAUSES OF WWI: IMPERIALISM

European Colonization by 1914 (WWI)

Nationalism: strong support of the interests of one’s own country even at the expense of others.Reunification of Italy and GermanyFrance had lost territory in Franco-Prussian

WarDifferent nationalist groups in Austria-

Hungary and Serbia

CAUSES OF WWI: NATIONALISM

CHARACTERISTICS OF WWI

Trench warfare Stalemate New technology, old

doctrine

RESULTS OF ALLIED VICTORY

Economic depression, especially Germany (war reparations)

Fear of more war in much of Europe

New boundaries-9 new nations; break up of old empires

What differences can you see in the countries of Europe before and after 1914?

What differences can you see comparing the map of Europe in 1914 to the map today?

WWII1939-1945

WWII (1939-45)

100 million military participants 40-70 million fatalities Holocaust Total war

Allies before pearl harbor in dark green; light green after

WHY DO THE ALLIES WIN THE WAR?

Axis powers are not unified Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo never meet to discuss

strategy German mistakes

Hitler invades Russia (two front war) Declares war on the US after Pearl Harbor,

bringing the US into the war Allied war production

US Russia

SOME RESULTS

New technology Microwaves Nuclear technology Weapons

New powers: US and Soviet Union (USSR) Old powers diminished: British, French,

Germany Creation of United Nations

International organization to promote peace Initially 50 member countries with big 5 having

veto power (US, USSR, China, France, Britain)

COLD WAR 1945-1991

COLD WAR

Definition: Struggle between US and Soviets for power and influence

Characteristics: Political conflict Economic conflict Military tension

SOME RESULTS OF WWII

The US and Russia emerge as the two world super powers.

Conflicting postwar goals

United States USSR

Bring democracy and economic opportunity

Protection (lost 20 million in war)

New markets for trade Establish satellite nations

Spread Communism

NATO V. WARSAW

Disagreements over postwar Europe Soviets gain control over much former Nazi

territory and want to keep control

NATO V. WARSAW PACT

NATO (North Atlantic Trade Organization) UN ineffective-

Soviet and Chinese veto power

Collective security “An attack on one is

an attack on all”

Warsaw Pact Formed as a reaction

to NATO Collective security of

Soviet satellite nations

COLD WAR EVENTS

Division of Germany (Berlin Wall)

Korean War (50-53) Arms race (including

Sputnik and space race)

Vietnam War (55-75) Cuban Missile Crisis

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