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Contextualization
Era: The World Wars

Period Start Period End

Justification Justification

Important Processes/Developments

5 Key Events

TEACHER’S RESOURCE M ATERIALS | A History of Western Society for the AP® Course, 12e | CH. 27
© 2017 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers
Based on the Fall 2017 AP® European History Curriculum Framework.
 DO NOT POST TO OPEN-ACCESS WEBSITES

Contextualization:
Era: The World Wars

Period Start Period End

1914 1945

Justification Justification
Start of the war  WWII ends

Important Processes/Developments
 Worldwide Conflict
 Total war
 Nationalism
 Alliances: Central Europe versus Eastern and Western Europe

5 Key Events
1. 1890: The Dismissal of Bismarck: While the Unification of Germany upset
the traditional Balance of Power in Europe, it was Bismarck’s dismissal by
Kaiser Wilhelm II that set the wheels in motion of the unraveling of the system
of alliances that had been carefully cultivated by Bismarck. In addition, it
emboldened the Kaiser to make further rash decisions, like encouraging
colonial conflict, the navel buildup, and the Austrian “blank check” that
directly led to WWI
2. 1916: Battles of Verdun and the Somme: The massive loss of life at both
these battles furthered government’s involvement in furthering government’s
involvement in the economy. Total war and economic planning led to social
change with women beginning to perform more traditional male tasks. AS
industry is integrated with a country’s war making ability, civilians and
industrial production will be seen as legitimate targets in warfare, especially in
WWII. Russia’s lack of industrialization will put it at a disadvantage, leading
to death and dissatisfaction with the Tsar and play a role in the Russian
Revolution of 1917
3. 1917: The Treaty of Versailles: The provisions of this treaty contributed to
many of the major issues that faced the 20th century. The active punishment of
Germany through the war guilt clause, demilitarization and reparation
payments contributed to the rise of Hitler and Nazism. In addition, these
reparation payments contributed to the Great Depression. The Mandate system
in the Middle East contributed to Arab resentment and Nationalism as well as
European control of oil which will lead to further conflict. America’s
isolationism allowed for the League of Nations to be less effective.

TEACHER’S RESOURCE M ATERIALS | A History of Western Society for the AP® Course, 12e | CH. 27
© 2017 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers
Based on the Fall 2017 AP® European History Curriculum Framework.
 DO NOT POST TO OPEN-ACCESS WEBSITES

4. 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact: This agreement between Nazi Germany and the
Soviet Union over the division of Poland opened the door for the Nazi’s to
conquer Poland without worry of an immediate two front war. This allowed the
Nazi’s to focus on the Western front which fell quickly. Hitler’s eventual
violation of this pact with Operation Barbarossa surprised Stalin and led to
Stalin’s alignment with the Allied powers. It was the Soviet army’s victories in
the East that weakened the Wehrmacht and, at the end of the war, left Soviet
troops throughout Eastern Europe. Soviet possession of Eastern European
territories set the stage for difficult peace negotiations and the beginnings of the
Cold War.
5. 1945: Dropping of the Atomic Bombs: The American development and use
of the Atomic bombs symbolized the end of the sort of Industrial warfare that
existed in the first half of the 20th century and signaled the transition to the
type of war that had the potential to end life as we know it. This led to further
distance and distrust between the Soviets and the West which contributed to
Cold War tensions. In addition, questions over science always leading to
progress continued from the inter-war period. Competition over nuclear arms
would characterize the second half of the 20th century and it will be the Soviet
Union’s inability to economically compete with the west that will lead to it’s
collapse and the reorganization of Eastern Europe as well as the return of
nationalistic conflict.

TEACHER’S RESOURCE M ATERIALS | A History of Western Society for the AP® Course, 12e | CH. 27
© 2017 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers
Based on the Fall 2017 AP® European History Curriculum Framework.