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The era of Modern Europe is marked by several themes: Age of Revolutions The Napoleonic Era of the early 1800s began a series of revolutions of Liberal Nationalism in Western European countries, leading to the rise of Democratic systems. The rise of Nation-states , exemplified by Italy in 1861 and Germany in 1871 , was further indicative of the new Nationalism . Whereas before Europe had mainly been a loosely-affiliated network of City-states , Revolution and Consolidation gave rise to the Western European and Central European nations that exist today. Age of Liberalism Liberal parties dominated European Politics during this period. However, modern Europe is also marked by the rise of Socialism , introduced with the publication of Karl Marx 's Communist Manifesto . The Bolshevik revolution in Russia and the rise of Labour Unions were indicative of this trend. During the years of 1871 to 1914 , many European nations embarked on a quest for territory and Colonies in Africa and elsewhere, known today as the New Imperialism . Europe also experienced a Second Industrial Revolution during these years, in which Mass Production of Consumer Goods was developed and vast improvements were made in many Manufacturing processes. Age of World Wars The 20th Century in European history is most noted for its wars. The First World War , lasting from 1914 to 1919 , completely changed the face of Europe. Germany was left in shambles by the war and the resulting Treaty Of Versailles , and its condition lead to the rise of the Nazi Party . The Second World War , in many respects a direct result of the first, further devastated Europe. Western Europe was able to rebuild with the help of the U.S.-sponsored Marshall Plan , while postwar reconstruction in Eastern Europe came under the umbrella of the Soviet-sponsored Council For Mutual Economic Assistance . The (Western Europe and the United States) and the Warsaw Pact (Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union). The collapse of Soviet allies in the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union itself in 1991 has led to the integration of much of Eastern Europe in NATO and the European Union. Age of European Union After World War II, the desire to rebuild Europe and to prevent a future world war drove Western and Central European nations to unite under the European Economic Community with the signing of the Treaty Of Rome in 1957 . This trade body evolved into an economic and political partnership, becoming the European Union of today. Currently comprised of 25 member states, the European Union has standardized Currency and established a common Market , and as a unit it has the largest Economy in the world. |
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