AP European History
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🇪🇺ap european history review
9.1 Context of the Cold War and Contemporary Europe
Verified for the 2025 AP European History exam•Citation:MLA
The 20th century marked a dramatic transformation in global politics, thought, and daily life. After the devastation of two world wars, Europe was divided ideologically and physically by the Cold War, sparking an era of intense rivalry, new cultural movements, and reimagined social values. This period also saw the emergence of new voices in political, intellectual, and artistic spheres, reflecting widespread anxieties and aspirations shaped by war, ideology, and modernity.
The End of World War II and the Birth of the Cold War
World War II ended with most of Europe in ruins—its cities destroyed, economies shattered, and populations traumatized. Amid this devastation, two nations emerged as global superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. Their alliance during the war gave way to rivalry as they promoted opposing ideologies:
- The United States championed liberal democracy and capitalism.
- The Soviet Union promoted communism and centralized state control.
This ideological clash initiated the Cold War—a prolonged period of geopolitical tension from 1947 to 1991. Although it did not result in direct conflict between the superpowers, the Cold War was marked by:
- Proxy wars in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Nuclear arms races and the threat of mutually assured destruction
- Political and economic alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact
⭐ Cold War Legacy: The Cold War shaped much of postwar European and global politics. Many modern tensions and nuclear policies trace their origins to this era.
Competing Ideologies and Global Polarization
The devastation of total war and economic collapse led many Europeans to question traditional political systems and the relationship between the individual and the state.
Three dominant ideologies clashed across the century:
| Ideology | Key Beliefs | Notable Regimes |
|---|---|---|
| Fascism | Authoritarianism, ultranationalism, suppression of dissent | Mussolini’s Italy, Nazi Germany |
| Communism | Collective ownership, abolition of class, state-planned economy | Soviet Union, Eastern Bloc |
| Liberal Democracy | Individual rights, market economy, representative government | United States, Western Europe |
This ideological battle played out in both policy and culture, shaping domestic reforms and foreign relations in every European state.
Key Terms to Review (21)
Allied Powers: The Allied Powers were a coalition of countries that opposed the Central Powers during World War I and later formed alliances in World War II. This coalition played a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the world, influencing outcomes that would lead to the establishment of new political ideologies and conflicts in the 20th century.
Artistic Movements: Artistic movements refer to collective artistic styles or philosophies that emerge during specific historical periods, characterized by shared themes, techniques, and ideologies among artists. These movements often reflect the socio-political and cultural contexts of their time, influencing and shaping the direction of art as well as broader societal trends.
Axis Powers: The Axis Powers were a coalition of countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II, which opposed the Allied Powers. This alliance aimed to expand their territories and establish dominance over Europe and Asia, significantly shaping the course of the war and its aftermath, leading to geopolitical changes that influenced the Cold War and contemporary Europe.
Berlin Wall: The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the ideological and physical divide between the communist East and the democratic West during the Cold War. Its construction was a direct response to the mass emigration of East Germans to the West, representing not just a separation of two cities but also the broader struggle between two superpowers and their conflicting ideologies.
Capitalist Democracy: Capitalist Democracy is a political system that combines a market-based economic structure with democratic governance, where the production and distribution of goods are determined by private enterprise and market competition. This term is crucial in understanding the ideological divide during the Cold War, where capitalist democracies in the West contrasted sharply with communist regimes in the East, highlighting differing approaches to economics and individual freedoms.
Cold War: The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. It was characterized by ideological conflict, military rivalry, and a series of proxy wars, influencing global politics and shaping contemporary international relations.
Communist Ideology: Communist ideology is a socio-political and economic theory advocating for a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively, and wealth is distributed according to need. This ideology arose as a response to capitalism and is rooted in the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, emphasizing the struggle between the proletariat (working class) and bourgeoisie (capitalist class). It played a crucial role in shaping 20th-century global politics, particularly during the Cold War, as nations either embraced or opposed communism, influencing contemporary Europe.
Decline of Religion: The decline of religion refers to the gradual reduction in the influence and practice of organized religion in society, particularly noticeable in Europe from the mid-20th century onwards. This phenomenon is closely linked to modernization, secularization, and a growing emphasis on scientific rationalism, which together have led to a shift in cultural values and a re-evaluation of religious beliefs. The decline of religion played a significant role in shaping contemporary European identity and social structures during and after the Cold War era.
End of WWII: The end of World War II marked the conclusion of a global conflict from 1939 to 1945, resulting in significant geopolitical changes and the beginning of the Cold War era. The defeat of Axis powers led to the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, fundamentally altering the political landscape of Europe and shaping international relations in the subsequent decades.
Harry S. Truman: Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953, and played a pivotal role in shaping post-World War II foreign policy and the beginnings of the Cold War. He is best known for his decision to use atomic bombs on Japan, the implementation of the Marshall Plan, and establishing the doctrine that would guide American policy in containing communism, which significantly influenced contemporary European relations.
Intellectual Movements: Intellectual movements refer to collective shifts in thought, philosophy, and cultural expression that significantly influence society and its development. These movements often emerge as responses to historical contexts and can shape political ideologies, scientific advancements, and artistic endeavors, reflecting the changing values and beliefs of a society over time.
Joseph Stalin: Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, known for his totalitarian regime, industrialization efforts, and significant role in shaping global politics during the 20th century. His policies led to widespread purges, forced collectivization of agriculture, and a firm grip on power that left a lasting impact on both the Soviet Union and the world.
Nikita Khrushchev: Nikita Khrushchev was a prominent Soviet leader who served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 and as the Premier from 1958 to 1964. His leadership marked a significant period in the Cold War, characterized by de-Stalinization, attempts at peaceful coexistence with the West, and pivotal events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, influencing both the Soviet Union and Europe’s contemporary political landscape.
Nuclear War Race: The Nuclear War Race refers to the competition between superpowers, primarily the United States and the Soviet Union, during the Cold War to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons. This race created a state of mutual assured destruction, where both sides built extensive arsenals to deter each other from launching a nuclear attack. The intense rivalry fueled not just military development but also political tensions, espionage, and proxy wars throughout the globe.
Post-war Nationalist Movements: Post-war nationalist movements refer to the various political and social movements that emerged in Europe and other parts of the world after World War II, advocating for self-determination, national identity, and independence from colonial or foreign rule. These movements were influenced by the changing political landscape of the Cold War, where the struggle between Western powers and the Soviet Union shaped many nations' paths toward sovereignty and shaped contemporary Europe.
Proxy Wars: Proxy wars are conflicts where two opposing countries or powers support combatants that serve their interests instead of fighting directly. During the Cold War, these wars became a key strategy for the superpowers, allowing them to influence global politics and regional stability without engaging in full-scale military confrontations. This tactic not only shaped the geopolitical landscape of the time but also left lasting impacts on the nations involved, many of which struggled with the consequences long after the Cold War ended.
Separatist Movements: Separatist movements are efforts by a group within a country to gain independence or autonomy from the larger state, often driven by cultural, ethnic, or religious differences. These movements can lead to significant political, social, and economic changes within both the separatist regions and the broader context of national governance, especially during times of conflict like the Cold War and in contemporary Europe.
Soviet Union: The Soviet Union was a socialist state that existed from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991, composed of multiple republics under a centralized government based in Moscow. It played a crucial role in global affairs, especially during the Cold War, and was characterized by its communist ideology, state-controlled economy, and authoritarian governance.
Total War of WWI & WWII: Total War refers to a conflict in which a nation mobilizes all its resources—economic, political, and social—to achieve complete victory over the enemy. In both World Wars, this concept transformed the nature of warfare as entire societies were involved, leading to widespread destruction and significant changes in military and civilian life, impacting post-war politics and social structures in Europe.
Truman Doctrine: The Truman Doctrine was a foreign policy strategy established by U.S. President Harry S. Truman in 1947, aimed at containing the spread of communism during the early years of the Cold War. This doctrine marked a significant shift in American foreign policy, committing the United States to provide political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism, particularly Greece and Turkey. It set the stage for American involvement in global conflicts and influenced international relations for decades.
United States: The United States is a federal republic comprised of 50 states, with a system of government that emphasizes democracy, individual rights, and a market economy. It emerged as a global superpower in the 20th century, playing a crucial role in various international conflicts and shaping global political dynamics.