The Great Wars: How WWI and WWII Shaped the 20th Century
The 20th Century is often defined by two monumental conflicts—World War I and World War II. These wars not only changed the course of history but also left a lasting impact on every aspect of modern life. As battles raged across continents, the repercussions of these conflicts would eventually extend beyond the trenches, battlefields and bombed cities, influencing politics, economies, societies, and ideologies for decades to come. The Great Wars were catalysts for change, reshaping the global landscape in ways that are still relevant in the 21st Century. The Prelude to World War I: A Tense Global Landscape World War I, often referred to as "The Great War," was rooted in a web of alliances, imperial ambitions, and nationalist fervor that had been building for years. By the early 1900s, Europe was a continent divided by complex alliances and a precarious balance of power. Major powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Russia each sought to expand their influence and preser