DTW GED PREP

At the dawn of the 20th century, Europe was the dominant global power, controlling vast territories across Asia and Africa through colonial empires. However, the aftermath of World War II marked a significant turning point. The European powers, weakened by the devastation of the war, found themselves unable to maintain control over their colonial possessions. Their energies were diverted toward rebuilding their war-torn economies and societies, leaving them with little capacity to sustain their imperial ambitions. This shift in priorities, coupled with growing nationalist movements within the colonies, triggered a wave of independence movements across Africa and Asia.

The process of decolonization was neither quick nor peaceful. In Africa, many nations struggled for independence in the face of violent opposition from colonial powers and internal political turmoil. In some cases, the transition to self-rule led to military dictatorships, corruption, and widespread social unrest. The end of colonial rule did not guarantee stability, and many newly independent African nations faced significant challenges in building cohesive, democratic governments.

Similarly, India’s path to independence from British rule was a protracted and turbulent process. After decades of resistance led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, India gained independence in 1947. However, the country was partitioned into two separate states: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. This partition caused mass migrations, with millions of Muslims moving to Pakistan and millions of Hindus and Sikhs fleeing to India, resulting in widespread violence and displacement. The partition’s aftermath left deep scars on both nations, which continue to influence their relationship to this day.

In the late 1950s, Western European nations, having fought together during the war, began to realize the benefits of cooperation rather than conflict. The devastation of the war had exposed the limitations of traditional power struggles and emphasized the importance of collective economic and political stability. This led to the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the modern European Union (EU). The EEC was founded with the goal of fostering economic cooperation among European nations to prevent future conflicts and promote prosperity. Over time, this economic collaboration evolved into the EU, established formally in 1991. The EU allowed its member nations to maintain their political independence while coordinating on foreign and security policies, as well as domestic matters like trade, the environment, and justice.

One of the EU’s most significant achievements was the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in 1999. This move symbolized the growing economic integration among member states and helped stabilize the European economy in the face of global challenges. While the EU has faced challenges, including economic crises and debates over sovereignty, it remains a powerful symbol of the benefits of cooperation in a post-war Europe, and a model for regional integration in other parts of the world.

THE END OF EUROPEAN DOMINANCE AND THE FORMATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Directions: Choose the best answer to the following question. Questions 1 and 2 are is based on the following timeline:

Countries joining the European Union

1. Based on the timeline, how many countries became part of the European Union in 2004?
2. In the early 2000s, most of the countries that joined the European Union were from which region?
   A. Western Europe
   B. Eastern Europe
   C. Northern Europe
   D. Southern Europe

1. Based on the timeline, how many countries became part of the European Union in 2004?
✅ Answer: 10
Explanation: In 2004, the following 10 countries joined the EU:

• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia

2. In the early 2000s, most of the countries that joined the European Union were from which region?
✅ B. Eastern Europe
Explanation: Many of the 2004 entrants—including Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia—are located in Eastern Europe, reflecting the EU’s eastward expansion after the Cold War.