World War One
After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Europe and the United States experienced a period of relative peace. There was rapid industrial and commercial progress. The western powers expanded trade and colonies. However, national rivalries gradually grew and alliance camps emerged. Economic competition and arms race also became intense. The Balkans became a hotpot of western intervention, as the Ottoman Empire declined. Finally war broke out in 1914, a war which was unexpectedly disastrous and destructive in scale. The war was caused by a number of interwoven factors. >> More
Totalitarianism
This topic covers inter-war Italy, Germany and Russia (1919-1939). In the years immediately after the First World War, a promising new era of democracy seemed to be unfolding. The autocratic regimes in Russia, Germany and Austria, were all overthrown and replaced by republics. The seven newly-created states in Europe all adopted the republican form of government. Democracy seemed triumphant in the post-war world. Yet within two decades, many democratic countries in Europe were taken over by some kind of dictatorship. Russia became a Communist state. Italy and Germany became Fascist states. Of the powers in Europe, only Britain and France remained staunchly democratic. Actually the First World War brought some negative effects to Europe. >> More
Modern China
This section covers Late Qing China to the Republican period. Upon foreign encroachment, China responded with several reform movements. Meanwhile, revolutionary movement also developed, climaxed by the revolution of 1911. The new Chinese republic was crippled by the rise of warlords. Chaos continued while the First World War broke out. The May Fourth Movement signified an intellectual revolution, followed by the rise of communist ideology. >> More