The two brutal world wars in Europe are most often considered discrete clashes erupting from distinct political and economic events. Historian Kevin Matthews suggests instead that these can be framed as a European civil war interrupted by a 20-year truce—out of which came the building blocks of the European Union.
At the dawn of the 20th century, Europe dominated much of the globe politically, militarily, economically and, not least, culturally. Yet by 1945 much of the continent lay in ruins. Matthews discusses these tumultuous decades to shed new light on familiar events, exploring the construct of why World Wars I and II can be considered an extended civil war, despite the participation of many nations. In turn, he offers a fresh look at how the upheaval affected outsiders, including the United States and Soviet Union.
Matthews is an assistant professor in the department of history and art history at George Mason University.
