Chapter 30, Section 4 and Chapter 31, Section 1 Europe in Two World Wars and Political Directions

Italy and Germany unified their countries in the 1800’s and then sought colonies and expansion. Nationalism

Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. France, Russia, and Britain countered with their Triple Entante.

World War I: In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary) was assassinated by a Bosnian nationalist. Austria accused Serbia of hatching the plot. On Aug 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia for preparing to help the Slavs and all the allies joined in.

WWI- Known as the Great War, it lasted four years and involved all the powers of Europe, and eventually the US. The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed harsh reparations (payment for war damage) on the Germans.

During the 20’s and 30’s there was economic hardship and political unrest. This led to the rise of dictators. Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist party in Italy. He glorified the state and expansionism. Adolf Hitler started the Nazi Party in Germany.

Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany’s defeat in WWI and for its poor economy. He said that Aryans (the superior German race) should rule the world. Hitler set up a fascist state that controlled all of life, sent the Jews to concentration camps (the Holocaust), launched a great building program, and strengthened the military.

The German invasion of Poland in 1939 started WWII. Britain and France declared war. Italy and Japan joined Germany on the Axis powers. The Soviet Union, US, China and 45 other nations eventually joined the Allied opposition.

The Allies gained control of North Africa, invaded Italy, and forced Mussolini out. The Soviet Union won in the Eastern front at the battle of Stalingrad. On D-Day (6/6/1944) the Allies landed on coast of France opening the Western front, and eventually pushed inward to defeat Germany.

Japan was defeated in Aug 1945, after the US dropped atomic bombs at Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The Cold War: By 1949 the Soviet Union (Russia) had installed governments in all nations of Eastern Europe. The US emerged as leader of the “free world” (democratic nation of the West). The Soviet Union and its “satellites” was on the other side.

The Marshall Plan After WWII, the US helped Europe rebuild with a $13 billion recovery program. The Soviets wouldn’t let the Eastern Bloc countries receive help.