The ideas of Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud had an enormous impact on the
20th century. These thinkers were part of a scientific revolution as important as
that brought about centuries earlier by Copernicus and Galileo.
Einstein offered startling new ideas on space, time, energy, and matter. Scientists
had found that light travels at exactly the same speed no matter what direction it
moves in relation to earth. In 1905
In both human suffering and economic terms, the cost of World War I was immense.
The Great War left every major European country nearly bankrupt. In addition,
Europe’s domination in world affairs declined after the war.
was a new, militant political movement that emphasized
loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader. Unlike communism, fascism
had no clearly defined theory or program. Nevertheless, most Fascists shared
several ideas. They preached an extreme form of nationalism, or loyalty to one’s
country. Fascists believed that nations must struggle—peaceful states were
doomed to be conquered. They pledged loyalty to an authoritarian leader who
guided and brought order to the state. In each nation, Fascists
Britain were preparing for war when Mussolini proposed a meeting of
Germany, France, Britain, and Italy in Munich, Germany.