Firstly, The First World War (WWI) went on for four years, from 1914 to 1918, while the Second World War (II) fight lasted six years between 1939 and 1945. Secondly, the triggers and causes of WWI were nationalism, imperialism, alliance system and materialism, and the assassination of Archduke Francis of Austria in 1914. In contrast, WW II was triggered and caused by Germany’s political and economic instability. Finally, the nature of war during WWI was between countries trying to acquire resources, territories, or colonies. On the other hand, the nature of warfare during WW II was the war of ideologies such as communism and fascism.
Communism and fascism were distinguished based on elements such as social structures, proper ownership, religious practices, and economic systems. Fascism is a system that is top-down and nationalistic, with rigid class roles ruled by an all-powerful dictator. On the contrary, communism is a system based on economic quality theory and advocates for a classless society. In addition, fascism emphasizes a government that promotes private property ownership, while communism advocates for the abolition of personal property.
Leopold and the French, Germans, and Portuguese had the most brutal system during the imperial era in Africa. However, the British had the most miniature brutal system. The horrors of the Soviet Gulag are common knowledge. With each colony functioning like a concentration camp, these colonists transformed Africa into one massive gulag.
Dissidents in the Soviet Union (SU) were persecuted in various ways. Firstly, they were persecuted through summary executions. This is where a person is killed immediately after being accused of a crime without being given a full and fair trial benefit. Secondly, persecution was done by sending people who were innocent to a gulag. Gulag was a labor camp in which many people died and was maintained in the SU. Thirdly, dissidents were being moved to other states that had agreed to accommodate them permanently as residents. Lastly, political dissenters’ confinement in psychiatric institutions was made a common practice because they were deluded and psychotic.
Although the European Union has improved the economic conditions of many member countries since its inception in 1993, it has encountered many problems. Both financial and societal transitions have played a significant role in the sprouting of populists who have over a year been in the EU’s opposition. Besides, the organization has faced a blow from the repeated exit of critical members, including the recent membership withdrawal by the UK. Furthermore, European Union faces democratic and rule-of-law concerns in some of its member countries, including Hungary and Poland. Lastly, terrorism has caused problems for the EU over the years of its operation.
The 20th century is remembered for the often violent acts several countries engaged in. In the twentieth century, Europe experienced intense ideological and political strife, war, genocide, and the beginning of the loss of Europe’s dominance in international affairs. Some historians say the world’s problems precipitated World War II. Besides, the aftermath of WWI’s Treat of Versailles, the Great Depression, the ineffectiveness of appeasement, and the rise of militarism in Germany and Japan. Primarily, these violent acts were motivated by socioeconomic inequality beliefs and ideologies. This article will explore Alliances, Militarism, Nationalism, Assassination, and Imperialism, which contributed to 20th-century violence.
First, 20th-century violence was caused by the belief in militarism. Militarism refers to pride in having a solid military force. A country or its people with robust military force believe they can use it and win a battle. Otto von Bismarck kept Germany together and prepared to defend itself when Napoleon stormed the Rhine. He thought his military standards would defeat France. On the other hand, France believed it had enough resources and support from its ally, Britain, to take on Germany. For the first time in almost a century, the British worried about the German Navy’s size. Britain needs to expand its Navy to face this threat. These countries’ arsenals were refined before both World Wars. These countries quickly send in troops to prove their war superiority.
Secondly, the rampant violence in the century resulted from a belief in nationalism as the stakeholders believed and pledged their allegiance to their states. After their country’s unification in 1871, Germans thought they were unstoppable worldwide superpowers. Deflated by the Germans, the French needed to regain their dignity. Due to their mutual hatred, these countries became highly militarized. As the movement for Pan-Slavism or the unification of all Slavic peoples, gained momentum, the region around Serbia deteriorated. The Serbs hoped for a unified Slavic nation supported by Russia. A minor disagreement now has the potential to escalate into a full-scale conflict in the “Balkan Powder Keg” that this creates.
Another reason for the violence during the period was assassinations that involved high-ranking individuals in the countries. Following the assassination of some prominent leaders allied to one side of the conflicting parties, there were beliefs that the murders were militarily attacked, resulting in intensified situations throughout the time.
Moreover, the idea of imperialism also led to the existence of violence in the 20th century. The term “imperialism” describes the practice of one nation imposing its will on another nation’s government, economy, or culture. Strategically, several countries wanted colonial territory. Germany wished to dominate Africa, wherever Britain and France held parts. Germany stopped France from establishing a protectorate in Morocco. This strengthened Britain and France’s connections during the German war. Britain and France concluded that restricting Germany’s accessibility to Africa could prevent it from becoming a regional military power.
Lastly, countries paid significant allegiance to alliances they believed could bilaterally integrate during the period. It is widely thought that partnerships are one of the root causes of ongoing international tensions. Many nations will undoubtedly become involved in a quarrel between two states because of the hidden associations made between countries. These friendships take time to cultivate, benefiting the greater good in the long run.
European history in the 20th century is marked by many historical landmarks ranging from military engagements, changes in governance, and advocacy for human rights, including those of women. These shifts have occurred alongside, and in some cases sparked, massive political and economic upheavals in Europe since 1914. The two world wars were the most devastating events in modern history. The development of dictatorships in Italy and Germany essentially triggered the second. Still, the century also witnessed dictatorships in Spain and Portugal, and the Soviet Union, where the dictatorial regime of Joseph Stalin preceded the revolution of 1917.
The existence of dictatorship governments throughout the European nations denotes the early years of the century. According to historians, Europe in the 20th century was the birthplace of totalitarian dictatorship. During the early years of the century, governments were interested in power and global recognition. For that reason, the 20th century was when Europe experienced political turmoil in both divides of alliances.
However, significant changes in government functions were implemented in response to shifting patterns in the political scale and, more importantly, issues of industrial society in the second half of the 20th century. For instance, the political climate in Spain, the smaller countries of southeast Europe, and most notably, Russia moved to a different beat. Some parliaments were established after 1900, but they were strictly regulated. Political speech was stifled due to censorship.
Revolutions advocating for women’s rights and freedom stand out compared to other historical events because of the ambiguity they create regarding continuity and breaks in time. Since the French Revolution in the early 20th century till the late 20th century, revolutions have shown the ebb and flow of ideas regarding gender norms and the procedures of women and men. This act is actual whether we’re talking about the persistence of a militancy associated with men or the expansion of women’s roles in public life, the academy, and the home. Besides, t women during the late 20th century had defined rights in the constitution, and their roles differed.
Women’s role in Europe changed from being caregivers and life sustainers to corporate responsibilities as professionals. This transformation upheld a significant gender divide regarding agency that loomed large in the twentieth century. That which American historian Joan W. Scott has termed the “paradox of feminism” shaped the gender policy of the revolution(s) of bourgeois modernity.