Warfare throughout European History, By Sophie Flicker: 3D Gallery

Warfare throughout European History

War has changed the history of Europe through internal conflicts in civil wars as well as the changing alliances and shifting of power between nations.

Height of Roman Empire

During ancient times, Rome was an example of how their empire fell apart because it was too big and too costly. Even the citizens of Rome lost their desire to defend their empire. The emperor had to hire mercenaries to fight which cost a lot of money. The use of warfare to conquer such a vast empire caused death and destruction throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.

This map illustrates the Roman empire. The areas in red were areas under Roman control.

The Crusades

During the Middle Ages, warfare was used during the Crusades, which were a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Lands. Pope Urban called on Europe's Christians to join the fight, “Christians, hasten to help your brothers in the East, for they are being attacked. Arm for the rescue of Jerusalem under your captain Christ. Wear his cross as your badge” (Pope Urban).

The Muslims in the end still controlled the Holy Lands, but Christianity spread and trade and transportation improved.

This picture illustrates the Christian crusaders riding their horses into battle. They were identified by their distinctive red cross shield.

Causes and Alliances of WWI

WWI was caused by militarism, imperialism, alliances and nationalism. Conflict began over land in the Ottoman empire when Bosnia wanted independence from Austria Hungary.

After the A.H heir to the throne was assassinated, countries throughout Europe were pulled into war because of their alliances together. The two alliances in WWI were called Allies and Central Powers. The Allies consisted of Russia, Great Britain, France, Serbia, Romania, Greece, Portugal and the United States, while the Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire.

This map illustrates the alliance system in Europe during the start of WWI

Effects of WWI

With all the new weapons that were used, WW1 changed the face of modern warfare forever. WWI left 16 million soldiers or civilians dead or wounded. Because of the methods and devastating losses, many nations involved in WWI felt bitterness towards each other, even decades later. WWI also caused the collapse of the monarchies in Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. The economies of both sides suffered, and many nations were in debt.

This bar graph shows the death totals from each country involved in WWI.

The Russian Revolution

During the Russian Revolution, many citizens were living in poverty with difficult working conditions and high costs of food. Their government went from a monarchy to a dictator and the czars had cruel punishments. The Russians were plunged into a violent civil war and pulled out of WWI. This internal conflict in Russia changed European history by introducing communism in Russia, and eventually impacting other nations through the Cold War.

This picture illustrates the violence in Russia during the civil war.

Interwar Period

Countries struggled after WWI which gave rise to dictators like Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin.

Mussolini used force to control people under his dictatorship, Stalin used terror tactics to strengthen and install fear in the Soviet Union, for example, labor camps, and Hitler used propaganda and secret police to strengthen his control in Germany.

This picture of Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini, shows dictators who emerged in the interwar period. These men would go on to change European history through their own warfare tactics.

Aggression in WWII

WWII Was caused by Hitler's acts of aggression and his desire annihilate the Jews. For example, his first act of aggression was to invade Poland in 1939 and he continues his quest for domination throughout the war. Throughout the course of the war, there were over 72 million deaths among all nations involved. At the end of the war, Germany surrendered and was divided into four occupied zones.

This map illustrates the division of Germany into four occupied zones. The visual provides a reminder of how Germany went from being a unified country to a divided mess in the period after WWII.

The Aftermath of WWII

After WWII, United Nations was created to replace the League of Nations because of its inability to prevent war. The Charter of United Nations declares that their goal was to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,…to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights,…to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom” (Charter of the United Nations). Preventing war was the most important priority for the nations that joined together in the United Nations.

This cover illustrates the post-war unity of nations who joined together with the common goal of peace.

The Cold War Period

This map illustrates the countries allegiances to either NATO or the Warsaw Pact.

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Warfare throughout European History, By Sophie Flicker