Post World War II

World War II created great instability and tension throughout Europe. As a result, the goal of the European countries was to create protective ties among countries, to serve "justice", and to decolonize.

Unions and treaties were created to establish stability in safety and economy. First the Organization for European Economic Cooperation was created to monitor the money given by the United States in the Marshall Plan. The European Coal and Steel Community combined the steel and coal resources of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg. Similar to the Zollverein, the ECSC was made to regulate economic policies without a political union. From this the European Economic Community was created who lifted all trade restrictions among the countries in the Community. The EEC would eventually be named the European Union who establishes the Euro as the common currency and further cooperation in environmental affairs and defense justice.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance between the Unites States, Great Britain, France, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Norway. This is a defense alliance that agrees to work and defend together if an outside party attacks. This was created for collective security and stability. In response to the creation of NATO, Russia created the Warsaw Pact. This was the collective power of the eight communist states to defend if attacked. Europe and Russia believed of safety in numbers, apparent in the multiple alliances in economy and military aspects.

To break tension between Germany and the rest of Europe, the Nuremburg Trials began. In these trials, active Nazis were persecuted in court concerning their actions in World War II. Though reprimands were served to Germany, only 11 men were prosecuted out of the thousands who participated in the world. But only 11 men were necessary in satisfying the revenge wanted from Europe. The real threat that was growing was Communism.

Decolonization was a period where many great powers pulled their authority from other countries they had ruled. In 1947, Britain had decided to take their troops out of Israel and Palestine. A dislocated people because of the Holocaust, the Jews found a homeland in Israel. Zionism grew and the United Nations gave land to the new Jewish State from the local Arabs. As soon as this was established the state was attacked by Arabic land nearby. This constant fight over the homeland will last until today's news. In Africa, Great Britain still held control until Abdul Nasser declared the Suez Canal nationalized. Eventually, Great Britain allowed Egypt its own leadership. In Sub-Saharan Africa, many countries began to declare their independence from Britain, inspired by Egypt. Even with retaliation of white supremacy, that had grown in Africa, the indigenous people were able to keep their land. For France and the Netherlands, the colonies were more important to reestablish their importance and prestige in Europe. The Netherlands lost Indonesia and France lost Algeria. France eventually splits North and South Vietnam into Communist and Republic as a result of fighting with the nationalist leader Ho Chi Minh.

Post World War II was a time where Europe wanted to return from the destruction to old times but needed new methods in order to achieve those dreams. Alliances were needed to be created while decolonization would help strengthen mother countries. Europe had become too ambitious in its endeavors and a return to the quiet time before the World Wars was wanted by all.