The countries that make up Europe, for centuries, have shared a history that at times has made them friends, rivals, enemies, partners, and allies. The countries of England, France, and Spain (and to a much lesser degree the Netherlands, Portugal, and Germany) for centuries engaged in a world-wide race to start colonies and conquer lands. As a result of this centuries-long game of conquest, new lands were discovered, new trade routes and industries established, and the world was forever changed.
In the three centuries that this rivalry ensued, the Americas were conquered, and the indigenous civilizations of the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and the plains Indians were replaced by what would later become the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, and the rest of Latin America. Certainly the English and Spanish were the more aggressive and dedicated to the idea of colonization, but the French also left their imprint in such places as eastern Canada, southeastern United States, Caribbean, and in Africa and Southeast Asia. The British also has massive holdings in south Asia for roughly a century, in the form of the British Raj, which is today known as the countries of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Empires are known to be costly undertakings, and the French, English, and Spanish all lost theirs due to wars, economic collapses, and revolt. The British Empire was the last to fall, as more pressing matters closer to home came to the forefront in the 20th century.
World War II was the defining point for Europe and the world during the last century. After the First World War concluded, most Europeans felt that little had been won, but little did they think that another, more disastrous war was just around the corner. After losing the first war, Germany was slammed with reparations to the rest of Europe, and was financially, militarily, and socially ruined. A master orator and powerful personality named Adolf Hitler, led the Nazi party to power in Germany, and quickly got the country on its feet. Using an agenda of nationalism, racial division, and playing on the victimization of the German people after the first war, Germany quickly rose to become the mightiest military power in, not only Europe, but the world. Germany quickly conquered most of the continent, but made several costly mistakes and eventually was defeated by the Allied powers, consisting of Britain, the United States, France, Russia, and several others.
After the war, another game called the Cold War was to begin, and the division of Europe was underway. During the course of the war, Russia’s army had marched well into Europe, and many of the countries that Germany had conquered, ended up in Soviet hands. Likewise, the Allied powers tried to assure that the others would remain free from Russian control, and NATO and other treaties were signed.
In the wake of the Second World War, and with the Cold War in full swing, Europe’s members joined together to form the European Union. The Union was designed to help the region avoid the rivalries that have led to so many wars in the past. The European Union’s member states trade freely among each other, and its citizens are free to move to, live and work in, and invest in any other country belonging to the Union. |