Description
Book SynopsisWhy is Eastern Europe still different from Western Europe, more than a quarter-century after the collapse of Communism?
A History of Eastern Europe 1918 to the Present shows how the roots of this difference are based in Eastern Europe''s tortured 20th century.Eastern Europe emerged in 1918 as the ''lands between'', new states whose weakness
vis-à-vis Germany and Soviet Russia soon became obvious. The region was the main killing-field of the Second World War, which visited unimaginable horrors on its inhabitants before their ''liberation'' by the Soviets in 1945. The imposition of Communist dictatorships on the region, ironically, only deepened Eastern Europe''s backwardness. Even in the post-Communist period, its problems continue to make it a fertile breeding-ground for nationalism and political extremism.
A History of Eastern Europe 1918 to the Present explores the comparative backwardness of Eastern Europe and how this has driven strategies of modernisation; it
Trade ReviewAn engaging history of Eastern Europe ... This densely packed book will interest a large audience. * CHOICE *
Ian D. Armour pulls no punches in this exceptionally clear, vigorous and challenging explanation of Eastern Europe’s tragic twentieth century and its current condition. This is more than an excellent textbook for students and teachers: it should be read by anyone interested in understanding the region. * Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski, Professor of Polish-Lithuanian History, University College London, UK *
Table of ContentsList of Maps Preface Introduction Part One: The Pre-History of Twentieth-Century Eastern Europe Chapter 1: The Making of “Eastern Europe” Chapter 2: Melting-Pot: Eastern Europe in the First World War Chapter 3: A New Europe? The Peace Settlement 1918-23 Part Two: Pig in the Middle Chapter 4: Problems of the Interwar Period Chapter 5: Test-Tube of Ideologies: Communism Chapter 6: Test-Tube of Ideologies: Conservative Authoritarianism Chapter 7: Test-Tube of Ideologies: Fascism Chapter 8: The East European Origins of the Second World War Chapter 9: Hell’s Kitchen: Eastern Europe in the Second World War Chapter 10: War as Revolution: Political Consequences of the Second World War Part Three: Saddling Cows Chapter 11: Great Leap Backwards: The Imposition of Communism 1944-48 Chapter 12: National Communism vs. Stalinism Chapter 13: The Perils of De-Stalinisation: Poland and Hungary in 1956 Chapter 14: Last-Chance Saloon? The Prague Spring of 1968 Chapter 15: Absurdistan, or ‘Real Existing Socialism’ 1968-1980s Chapter 16: The Solidarity Phenomenon in Poland 1980-89 Part Four: All Change? Chapter 17: The Bear Vanishes: Gorbachev and the Roots of Revolution 1985-89 Chapter 18: The Power of the Powerless: The Velvet Revolutions of 1989 Chapter 19: The Wages of Nationalism: Soviet, Yugoslav and Czech-Slovak Break-Up Chapter 20: Eastern Europe in the 21st Century: Post-Communist Modernisation Chapter 21: Eastern Europe in the 21st Century: Nationalism and Geopolitics Conclusion: Retirement of a Concept? Bibliography Index
