Europe Before and After WWII

Mapping the Transformation of a Continent Year 10 History Understanding Political and Territorial Changes

Europe in 1939: The Pre-War Landscape

Key European Powers in 1939

Nazi Germany - expanding under Hitler's leadership British Empire - global superpower with vast colonies Soviet Union - communist state under Stalin France - major European democracy Independent nations: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Belgium

Comparing Europe: 1939 vs 1945

{"left":"Germany controlled much of Central and Eastern Europe\nIndependent nations: Britain, Soviet Union, neutral countries\nNazi occupation across the continent\nHolocaust and persecution widespread","right":"Germany divided into four occupation zones\nNew borders drawn by Allied powers\nSoviet influence expanded into Eastern Europe\nUnited Nations established for international cooperation"}

Europe in 1945: Post-War Transformation

Mapping the Changes

Working in pairs, identify 5 major territorial changes between 1939 and 1945 Consider: Which countries disappeared? Which were created? What happened to Germany's borders? How did the Soviet Union's influence change? Present your findings to the class