In this section you will be able to analyze several maps that illustrate the changes of the political boundaries of Europe over time. Examine each of the maps carefully. You will use these maps to answer the questions that follow.

Look at the map of Europe in 1900 and compare it to the map of Europe in 1914.

Europe in 1900
Map of Europe in 1900; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based upon predominant religions; each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Europe in 1900, Matthew White's Homepage

Europe in 1914
Map of Europe in 1914; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based on types of governments (monarchies or republics) and colonies; each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Europe in 1914, Matthew White's Homepage

Now compare the map of Europe in 1914 to the map titled Interwar Europe (Europe in 1937).

Europe in 1914
Map of Europe in 1914; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based on types of governments (monarchies or republics) and colonies; each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Europe in 1914, Matthew White's Homepage

Interwar Europe: Europe in 1937
Map of Interwar Europe in 1937; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based on types of governments (authoritarian or democratic), monarchies, and colonies; each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Interwar Europe in 1937, Matthew White's Homepage

Analyze the map of Europe in 1942 for the next question.

Map of Europe in 1942; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based on occupation of members of the Axis powers (Germany or Italy); each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Europe in 1942, Matthew White's Homepage

While there were many countries in Europe that regained their sovereignty after WWII, most of the countries now fell under one of two political or economic ideologies. Analyze the map Europe in 1970 to answer the question that follows:

Europe in 1970
Map of Europe in 1970; the legend indicates that the map is broken up into nations based on types of regimes (authoritarian, capitalist, and communists), city with over 2 million inhabitants, and eastern and western Germany; each country is labeled in its own language.

Source: Europe in 1970, Matthew White's Homepage

The Communist domination of Eastern Europe came to an end in 1989. Look at the map of Europe in 1970 and compare it to the current map of European Union Members below.

Map of European Union Members
Map of Member Countries of the European Union Members and their territories.

Source: European Union Members, Europa

Prior to 1990, the countries of Europe aligned with either democratic/capitalist or communist ideologies. After 1990, European countries chose whether or not to become a part of the European Union or EU.

Click on the following link and read about the History of the European Union:

The History of the European Union