Europa,der Erste Weltkrieg und die Nachkriegszeit: Eine Kontinuität der Gewalt?

Abstract

Europe, the First World War, and its Aftermath: A Continuity of Violence?

This essay summarizes the contributions of this volume and suggests paths for further research. Political and other violence, rather than resulting from a general «brutalization» of the soldiers on all sides, followed a pattern consistent with Theodor Schieder's threefold typology of the formation of nation-states in modern Europe. Violence was most pronounced in those parts of Eastern Europe where, after the collapse of authoritarian governments, new ideological conflicts exacerbated deep-rooted ethnic tensions. The visual aspect of politics needs further scrutiny, while the question how the redefinition of gender roles during and after the war affected politics and political violence is also important. Concepts of «modernization » may be helpful in determining the nature of postwar violence, provided that they are selective.