Key Historical Events and Treaties of the 20th Century

Trench Warfare

Trench warfare was the second phase of WWI on the Western Front. During this phase, armies could not advance due to the use of machine guns in trenches; as a result, the front line became static.

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty affecting Germany to negotiate reparations and punishment after WWI. Germany was held solely responsible for the war and faced several penalties:

• Territorial losses in Europe
• Loss of all its colonies
• The German army was reduced to approximately 100,000 soldiers
• Germany had to pay war reparations of 132,000 million gold marks

League of Nations

The League of Nations was an international organization created in 1919 via the Treaty of Versailles. Its headquarters were in Geneva. Its main task was peacekeeping after WWI, but it ultimately failed and was replaced by the United Nations in 1945.

Revolution of 1905

This was an internal conflict in Russia during the Russo-Japanese War. The soviets were councils of peasants or soldiers formed spontaneously during this revolution.

Revolution of 1917

This was the first phase of an internal revolt in Russia in 1917, triggered by Russian defeats in WWI.

Axis Powers

The Axis Powers was an alliance led by Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan. All member nations maintained dictatorial regimes.

German-Soviet Pact

This was a non-aggression agreement signed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union one week before WWII. It included a secret clause to invade Poland simultaneously and divide Eastern Europe.

Blitzkrieg (Lightning War)

Blitzkrieg was a new war tactic developed by Germany before WWII. It relied on the use of planes, the rapid advance of tanks, and subsequent ground occupation by infantry. This strategy allowed Germany to occupy most of Europe between 1939 and 1941.

Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was an Italian political leader who served as the fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945. In 1919, he became the leader of the Blackshirts (members of a fascist party organization characterized by their black uniforms). He became Prime Minister in 1922.

Cold War

The Cold War defined the relationship between the two opposing blocs (communist and capitalist), characterized by a situation of permanent military, ideological, and diplomatic tension.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was a military alliance created in 1949 to organize mutual assistance among its members. It represented the capitalist bloc.

Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan was a rescue and reconstruction initiative based on grants and low-interest loans. Its goals were to open new markets and avoid social unrest that could favor the spread of communist ideas in Europe.

Treaty of Paris

Signed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, and West Germany, this treaty created a customs union for coal and steel, eliminating custom tariffs.

Treaty of Rome

Signed by the same six countries, this treaty extended the customs union to all goods and established two European communities: the EEC and EURATOM.