EasternEuropeSupplementaryNotes.pptVIP

Eastern Europe – Supplementary Notes A - Geographical Context B - Political Geography Geographical Context 1. Redistribution of the Eastern European Map 2. Eastern Europe Redistribution of the Eastern European Map Context Caught in between the powerful countries of the West and Russia (the Soviet Union for the greater part of the 20th century). The region has been unstable for many centuries. The nation-state concept that emerged in Western Europe has not been as strong in Eastern Europe. The boundaries of Eastern Europe have been redrawn three times in the 20th century. Redistribution of the Eastern European Map Before 1914 Three powers were dominating Eastern Europe: Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. Russia and Germany shared a common border, since Poland did not exist. Poland was actually dismantled in the 18th and 19th centuries. Problems between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Pressure between Russia and Romania and Bulgaria. Pressure between Greece and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). Redistribution of the Eastern European Map Consequences of WWI (1918) The First World War was triggered by the assassination of an Austro-Hungarian noble in Sarajevo. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled with the creation of Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Poland was re-created and Germany was divided in two. Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) became independent. Creation of Yugoslavia from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegonovia, Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia. Some were part of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, others were independent entities. Europe Before and After WWI Redistribution of the Eastern European Map Consequences of WWII (1945) The Second World War had important consequences on the political geography of Eastern Europe. Poland was “moved” to the west to the gain of the Soviet Union and the loss of Germany. Germany also lost Koenisburg (Eastern Prussia), which was integrated to Russia. Germany was divided in the Federal Republic (Wes