The 20th century in review

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Table of contents

1 The world at the turn of the century
2 The Great War
3 Russian Revolution
4 The inter-war years

4.1 Economic depression
4.2 The rise of Fascism

5 Global war

5.3 The Holocaust
5.4 The nuclear age begins

6 The world post 1945

6.5 Israel and Palestine
6.6 The end of empire
6.7 An 'Iron Curtain' has fallen
6.8 'A giant leap for mankind'
6.9 War by proxy
6.10 The end of the Cold War
6.11 Secular conflict
6.12 European Union

7 The world at the end of the 20th century

The world at the turn of the century

The 20th Century began with excitement and uncertainty. With the increase in inventions in the late 1800's, the turn of the century was when inventions like the light bulb, the automobile, and the telephone, finally became mainstream. Thus the turn of the century was met with great expectation the world over. Alongside such progress in the 20th century, no one could have expected what a change 100 years would have on the political world. The United States made huge gains economically and politically, breaking the norm of a European-based world. Africa, Central and South America, and Asia also broke away from their European conquerors and would gain their independence. Thus the balance of world power throughout the 20th century gradually spread out from Europe.

In Europe the 20th century starts with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, she was regarded as the Grandmother of Europe, being related with most European dynasties. Not only did this signify the end of a popular royal, but it also signified the end of an era. The 19th century was the most prosperous for the British Empire. Never again would the British Empire be as strong as it was during her reign. The British, however, were determined to perserve the empire which had become so integral to their national identity.

Further, on mainland Europe, Germany and Italy had recently united. Both of these powers lagged behind in imperialism which their neighbours had participated in for centuries before. With nationalism in full force at this time, the young Germany longed to prove to its rivals it should be recognized as a world power. Grabbing several colonies in Africa and challenging France and Britain with its military build-up, Germany was determined to make its presence felt on the world stage.

Asia and Africa were, for the most part, still under control of their European conquerors. Exceptions existed, however, as in China and Japan. Furthermore, Japan and Russia were at war with one another in 1905. The Russo-Japanese War was one of the first instances of a European power falling victim to a seemingly inferior nation. The war itself would strengthen Japanese militarism and enhance Japan's rise to the status of a Great Power. Czarist Russia on the other hand, did not handle the defeat well. The war exposed their military weakness and increasing economic backwardness

The United States was only a minor player in world politics during the 19th century. Now, with an exponential growth in immigration and a resolution of the national unity issue through the bloody American Civil War, America was emerging as an industrial powerhouse rivaling Britain, Germany, and France. It had also made its presence known on the world stage by challenging the Spanish in the Spanish-American War, gaining the colonies of Cuba and the Phillipines as protectorates.

With such a rise in power in Asia, and especially in North America, and with increasing rivalry among the European powers, the stage was set for world politics to undergo a major upheaval.

The Great War

Main article: World War I

The First World War started in 1914 and ended in 1918. It was ignited by the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Empires heir to the throne Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian nationalist organization called the "Black Hand". Bound to help the small Serbian state by Slavic nationalism, the Russians came to the aid of the Serbs when they were attacked. Interwoven alliances, an increasing arms race, and old hatred dragged Europe into war. The allies (known as "The Triple Alliance") comprised the British Empire, Russia and France, as well as Italy and the USA later in the war. On the other side, Germany along with Austria-Hungary and later the Ottoman Empirewere known as "The Triple Entente".

In 1917 Russia and Germany signed a peace treaty in Brest-Litowsk which strongly favoured Germany and its allies, so from 1917 Russia ended hostile actions against the Triple Entente. The regime of the czar collapsed in October 1917 and the Bolsheviks negotiated peace with the Triple Entente, ceding a great deal of land to the Germans. Although Germany shifted huge forces from the eastern to the western front after the Treaty of Brest-Litowsk, it couldn't stop the Allied advance, especially with the entrance of American troops in 1918.

The war itself was also a chance for the combatting nations to show off their military strength and technological ingenuity. The Germans introduced the machine gun and deadly gases. The British first used the tank. Both sides had a chance to test out their new aircraft to see if it could be used in warfare. It was widely believed that the war would be short. Unfortunately, since trench warfare was the best form of defence, advancements on both sides were very slow. Thus the war would be drawn out longer and caused more fatalities than expected.

When the war was finally over in 1918, the results would set the stage for the next fifty years. First and foremost, the Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, forcing them to make exorbitant payments to repair damages caused during the War. Many Germans felt these reparations were unfair because they did not actually "lose" the war nor did they feel they caused the war. Germany was never occupied by Allied troops, yet they had to accept a liberal democratic governemt imposed on them by the victors after the abdication of Kaiser Willhelm. Much of the map of Europe was redrawn by the victors based upon the theory that future wars could be prevented if all ethnic groups had their own "homeland". New states like Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia were created out of the collaspe of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to accomodate the national aspirations of these groups. An International body was formed called The League of Nationsto mediate disputes and prevent future wars.

The entire world got a taste of what world-wide industrial warfare could be like. The idea of war as a noble defense of one country in a good cause vanished as people of all nations relected upon the deficiencies of their leaders which caused the decimation of an entire generation of young men. No one had any interest in another war of that magnitude. Pacifism became popular and fashionable.

Russian Revolution

Main article: Russian Revolution

With the success of the October Revolution, the first state based upon Marxist principles was born. Many conservatives within Europe and beyond were horrified at the prospect of a state based upon such a radical ideology. They were also terrified by the preaching from Lenin and his fellow revolutionaries that the collaspe of capitalism was inevitable and the Communists were going to work towards hastening its decline by supporting Communist parties in every nation of the world. Progressives were elated and many enthusiastically supported the new Communist state and spread Communist ideas throughout Europe.

When Lenin died in 1924, and Stalin displaced Trotsky as the de factoleader of the party, the idea of worldwide revolution was no longer in the forefront. Stalin concentrated on the idea of "socialism in one country" and embarked on bold plan of collectivization and industrialization. Many Progressives became disillusioned with Stalin's autocratic rule, his purges and the assasination of his "enemies", as well as the news of famines he imposed on his own people.

Communism was strengthened as force in Western democracies when the economy crashed in the 1929. Many people saw this as the first stage of the end of the capitalist system and were attracted to Communism as a solution to the economic crisis. Stalin and the Russian Communists continued to support Communist parties in other nations that obeyed their dictates. Communists were elected all over Europe and even in the United States much to the horror of the ruling classes.

The inter-war years

Economic depression

Main article: Great Depression

The rise of Fascism

Main article: Fascism

After the depression of the 20s, dictatorship spread over Europe. Hitler came to power in 1933 in Germany. After Austria was annexed in the "Anschluss", and large parts of the Czech Republic had been occupied by Germany, the British and French Appeasers acted to ensure the survival of Poland. When in 1939 Germany attacked Poland war broke out in Europe, because of the Treaty signed between Britain, France and Poland.