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Social Darwinism and Racism
For more informationIn 1859, Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species” which is about the evolution of all forms of life and the theory of natural selection. The process is called ‘survival of the fittest.’
Some of the thinkers used Darwin’s theory of natural selection to support their opinions by applying the concept to war and economic competition, which created Social Darwinism. This extreme idea encouraged racism. -
The Great Depression
For more informationDecreased Demand and advanced technology led to over production. At the same time,a crisis in finance was severe. In October 29, 1929, the stock prices crashed as people sold their stocks at once due to the financial panic, which called Black Tuesday. The day marked the despair beginning of the Global Depression.In 1932, a new President, Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed the New Deal to alleviate the impacts of the Great Depression in the United States. The Great Depression recovered by late 1930s. -
Nazis Defeated
For more informationBy March 1945, the Allies had successfully crossed into Western Germany while the Soviet armies headed to Eastern region. The official war end in Europe was May 8, 1945. The day is called V-E Day. The Axis powers declined due to many reasons. They had to fight many fronts at the same time because of the location of Germany and the Allies. Hitler underestimated the ability of Soviets troops. Moreover, the United States was able to maintain enormous production capacity. -
The Cold War Unfolds
For more informationIn May 3, 1946, when Winston Churchill used a term “Iron Curtain,”it symbolized the beginning of the Cold War. The United States established NATo while the Soviet Union formed Warsaw Pact. In 1961, the divided Berlin was actually split by wall. Countries in East Europe were trying to abandon communism such as Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. However, all of these countries were being assaulted by Soviet troops who were far more powerful than these nations. -
West Germany’s Economic Miracles
For more informationIn September 15, 1949, Konrad Adenauer was elected as West Germany’s chancellor. He reestablished cities, factories, and trade. The new constructions were highly recognized as modern and effective. Even though West Germany had to pay high taxes for the recovery, the region actually created an had to pay high taxes for the recovery, the region actually created an industrial economic boom. -
Gorbechev Tries Reform
For more informationUnder Gorbachev's control, he tried to implement reforms due to failing economy and war in Afghanistan. He even avoid Cold-War confrontation as he signed arms control with the United states and retreated troops from Afghanistan. Within the union, he called for glasnost or openness, by ending censorship and discussing problems directly. Moreover, he urged perestroika or restructuring, of government and economy. -
The European Union Expands
For more informationIn 1993, the European Economic Community became the European Union (EU), an economic and political group that encourages a free flow of capital, labor, goods, and services in European region. European nations become one by using euro as a mutual currency and hold EU passports instead of national passports. Currently, the European Union is the world largest economy that could compete with the United States and Japan. -
War in Iraq
For more informationThe 2003 invasion in Iraq started from March 19 and ended in May 1, 2003. The war concluded with the capture of Baghdad, Iraqi capital by American forces. The mission was to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism and to free Iraqi people. Nonetheless, the attack was widely debated around the world because no WMDs were found after the United States invasion.
