Continuity and Change in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Benjamin Wright
6 min read
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#European History Study Guide: Post-War Transformations
Welcome! This guide is designed to help you ace your European History exam. Let's dive into the key concepts and ensure you're fully prepared. Remember, you've got this!
#1. The Aftermath of War: A Continent in Flux
#1.1. Social Welfare and European Unity
Post-War Dependence: Nations relied heavily on social welfare programs due to the devastating effects of war.
Cooperation over Nationalism: The inability to recover alone led to unprecedented cooperation among European nations, fostering a sense of shared identity.
Seeds of Unity: This cooperation laid the groundwork for a unified European identity, a concept long idealized since the Medieval period.
#1.2. Ideological Crisis and the Cold War
Deep Ideological Divide: The war against fascism created a stark conflict between democracy and communism.
Nationalism and Separatism: Increased nationalism, coupled with demographic shifts due to immigration, led to separatism and discrimination.
The Cold War: This polarization fueled the Cold War, an indirect conflict between the US and the Soviet Union.
<img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FDuisburg._Chemiefirma_Matthes_u_Weber__Stadthistorisches_Museum_-IxOYHR0z0lIo.webp?alt=media&token=f12cc736-9287-4c0a-a27a-96c692b17113" alt="Post-War Industrial Landscape" width="400"/>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Caption: Post-war industrial landscape reflecting the need for economic recovery and the rebuilding...
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