This lesson examines the era between World Wars I and II-also known as the interwar period-breaking down those issues that set the stage for the world’s second and far deadlier global conflict. Various other economic and political challenges had been building up tension for years. But that event was only the final straw in a series of events. Granted, Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered declarations of war from France and the United Kingdom, formally starting World War II. So why did the world return to combat just two decades later to fight World War II? Instead of competition between European states, there was a need for a system of co-operation.īut there were many obstacles and difficulties to overcome to achieve this goal.When World War I ended in 1918, the last thing people wanted was an even greater conflict. ![]() For many observers, including politicians, intellectuals, and members of resistance movements, the answer became clear: Europe must be integrated. Tariffs and other barriers to trade were established between most European countries. The great powers in Europe, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia competed fiercely with each other even in peacetime for economic and military dominance. The peoples of Europe were especially committed to this ideal after watching their families torn apart and their homes destroyed.īut how could peace in Europe be guaranteed? Many felt that the responsibility for the wars lay with nationalism in Europe. Weapons and Equipment used in World War TwoĪ common expression after 1945 was “Never again,” which symbolized a universal desire to avoid another world war. Eventually both these wars grew from regional conflicts to span the globe. Germany invaded France twice in 26 years, each time also invading Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and drawing Great Britain and Russia into the conflict. These were some of the most developed countries in the world and yet they sought to destroy each other. At the heart of the World Wars was the conflict between Germany and its European neighbours. Both wars were triggered by conflicts between European states and had plunged the nations of the world into war. Only thirty years had passed between the start of the First World War and the end of the Second World War. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8th, 1945, after nearly six years of bloody conflict. Why did European states, after centuries of conflict decide to start a process of integration? Internal Pressures for European Integration Fun Stuff: EU-Related Games and Activities.Case Study: Geographical Indicators and Maple Leaf.Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).Introduction: The EU – A Political System, but not a State.Immigration and Asylum: Some Concerns for Europe.Extension: About the Charter of Fundamental Rights.Case Study: Headscarves and French Schools.Extension: The Presidency of the Council of the European Union.Extension: The European Union Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty.Activity 7: EU and Government Web Quiz (Answers).Activity 6: Legislative and Decision-Making Process.Activity 5: How European Parliamentary Elections Work.Activity 4: The European Parliament – How does it work?.Activity 3: The EU’s Global Partnerships.Activity 2: About Europe’s External Relations.Activity 1: Foreign Affairs Brainstorming (Answers).Activity 1: Foreign Affairs Brainstorming.The Reconstruction of Europe in the Shadow of Communism - External Pressure. ![]()
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