Major Events
By Robert Wilde, About.com Guide to European History
Perhaps the easiest way to divide European history into manageable chunks is by the major events, be they wars, revolutions or socio-cultural changes like the Reformation. The major events of the Twentieth Century – World Wars One and Two – have their own path.
Cold War
Between 1945 and 1991, Europe was divided between two superpowers and their allies: US led NATO in Western Europe and USSR led Warsaw Pact in the East. The war was 'cold' because there was never a direct military engagement between them, due partly to the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides.
French Revolution
Beginning in 1789, the Revolution affected every aspect of France and much of Europe, often being called the start of the modern era.
Industrial Revolution
The second half of the 18th century, scientific and technological changes began to radically change the world. Mechanization and factories altered the nature of economics and society, while urbanization, and industrialization reshaped both the physical, and mental, landscape.
Napoleonic Wars
Between 1796 and 1815 one of history's most outstanding military minds waged war across Europe: Napoleon Bonaparte. This subject will concentrate on the wars, while Napoleon's social and cultural achievements are examined in the France section.
Russian Revolution
In 1917 two revolutions convulsed Russia, leading to civil war, and the creation of a communist government. The events of this period helped transform the world, and remain in evidence today.
The Reformation
The Reformation was a split in the Latin Christian church during the sixteenth century which introduced Protestantism to the world and created a major division which lasts to this day.
