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History of Europe - Postwar Recovery, Cold War, Integration | Britannica
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[history of Europe](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe)

Table of Contents


- [Introduction](/topic/history-of-Europe)

- [Prehistory](/topic/history-of-Europe/Prehistory)



- [Paleolithic settlement](/topic/history-of-Europe/Paleolithic-settlement)

  - [Earliest developments](/topic/history-of-Europe/Paleolithic-settlement#ref58232)

  - [Upper Paleolithic developments](/topic/history-of-Europe/Paleolithic-settlement#ref58233)

- [Mesolithic adaptations](/topic/history-of-Europe/Mesolithic-adaptations)

- [The Neolithic Period](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Neolithic-Period)

  - [The adoption of farming](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Neolithic-Period#ref58236)

  - [The late Neolithic Period](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-late-Neolithic-Period)

    - [Agricultural intensification](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-late-Neolithic-Period#ref58238)

    - [Social change](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-late-Neolithic-Period#ref58239)

  - [The Indo-Europeans](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-late-Neolithic-Period#ref58240)

- [The Metal Ages](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Metal-Ages)



- [The chronology of the Metal Ages](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-chronology-of-the-Metal-Ages)

- [General characteristics](/topic/history-of-Europe/General-characteristics)

  - [The Copper Age](/topic/history-of-Europe/General-characteristics#ref58244)

  - [The Bronze Age](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Bronze-Age)

  - [The Iron Age](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Iron-Age)

- [Social and economic developments](/topic/history-of-Europe/Social-and-economic-developments)

  - [Control over resources](/topic/history-of-Europe/Social-and-economic-developments#ref58248)

  - [Changing centres of wealth](/topic/history-of-Europe/Changing-centres-of-wealth)

  - [Prestige and status](/topic/history-of-Europe/Prestige-and-status)

  - [The relationship between nature and culture](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-relationship-between-nature-and-culture)

  - [Rituals, religion, and art](/topic/history-of-Europe/Rituals-religion-and-art)

- [The people of the Metal Ages](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-people-of-the-Metal-Ages)

- [Greeks, Romans, and barbarians](/topic/history-of-Europe/Greeks-Romans-and-barbarians)



- [Greeks](/topic/history-of-Europe/Greeks-Romans-and-barbarians#ref58255)

- [Romans](/topic/history-of-Europe/Romans)

- [Barbarian migrations and invasions](/topic/history-of-Europe/Barbarian-migrations-and-invasions)

  - [The Germans and Huns](/topic/history-of-Europe/Barbarian-migrations-and-invasions#ref58258)

  - [The reconfiguration of the empire](/topic/history-of-Europe/Barbarian-migrations-and-invasions#ref58259)

- [The Middle Ages](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Middle-Ages)



- [The idea of the Middle Ages](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-idea-of-the-Middle-Ages)

  - [The term and concept before the 18th century](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-idea-of-the-Middle-Ages#ref276207)

  - [Enlightenment scorn and Romantic admiration](/topic/history-of-Europe/Enlightenment-scorn-and-Romantic-admiration)

  - [The Middle Ages in modern historiography](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Middle-Ages-in-modern-historiography)

- [Chronology](/topic/history-of-Europe/Chronology)

- [Late antiquity: the reconfiguration of the Roman world](/topic/history-of-Europe/Late-antiquity-the-reconfiguration-of-the-Roman-world)

  - [The organization of late imperial Christianity](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-organization-of-late-imperial-Christianity)

  - [Kings and peoples](/topic/history-of-Europe/Kings-and-peoples)

  - [The great commission](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-great-commission)

  - [The bishops of Rome](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-bishops-of-Rome)

  - [The Mediterranean world divided](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-bishops-of-Rome#ref276550)

- [The Frankish ascendancy](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Frankish-ascendancy)

  - [The Merovingian dynasty](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Frankish-ascendancy#ref276552)

  - [Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Frankish-ascendancy#ref276553)

  - [Carolingian decline and its consequences](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Frankish-ascendancy#ref276554)

- [Growth and innovation](/topic/history-of-Europe/Growth-and-innovation)

  - [Demographic and agricultural growth](/topic/history-of-Europe/Growth-and-innovation#ref276190)

  - [Technological innovations](/topic/history-of-Europe/Growth-and-innovation#ref276191)

  - [Urban growth](/topic/history-of-Europe/Growth-and-innovation#ref276192)

- [Reform and renewal](/topic/history-of-Europe/Reform-and-renewal)

- [The consequences of reform](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-consequences-of-reform)

  - [The transformation of thought and learning](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-consequences-of-reform#ref276195)

  - [The structure of ecclesiastical and devotional life](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-structure-of-ecclesiastical-and-devotional-life)

    - [Ecclesiastical organization](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-structure-of-ecclesiastical-and-devotional-life#ref276197)

    - [Devotional life](/topic/history-of-Europe/Devotional-life)

  - [From persuasion to coercion: The emergence of a new ecclesiastical discipline](/topic/history-of-Europe/From-persuasion-to-coercion-The-emergence-of-a-new-ecclesiastical-discipline)

  - [Christianity, Judaism, and Islam](/topic/history-of-Europe/Christianity-Judaism-and-Islam)

- [From territorial principalities to territorial monarchies](/topic/history-of-Europe/From-territorial-principalities-to-territorial-monarchies)

  - [The office and person of the king](/topic/history-of-Europe/From-territorial-principalities-to-territorial-monarchies#ref276202)

  - [Instruments of royal governance](/topic/history-of-Europe/From-territorial-principalities-to-territorial-monarchies#ref276203)

  - [The three orders](/topic/history-of-Europe/From-territorial-principalities-to-territorial-monarchies#ref276204)

- [Crisis, recovery, and resilience: Did the Middle Ages end?](/topic/history-of-Europe/Crisis-recovery-and-resilience-Did-the-Middle-Ages-end)

- [The Renaissance](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Renaissance)



- [The Italian Renaissance](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Italian-Renaissance)

  - [Urban growth](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Italian-Renaissance#ref58317)

  - [Wars of expansion](/topic/history-of-Europe/Wars-of-expansion)

  - [Italian humanism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Italian-humanism)

    - [Growth of literacy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Italian-humanism#ref58320)

    - [Language and eloquence](/topic/history-of-Europe/Italian-humanism#ref58321)

    - [The humanities](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-humanities)

    - [Classical scholarship](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-humanities#ref58323)

    - [Arts and letters](/topic/history-of-Europe/Arts-and-letters)

  - [Renaissance thought](/topic/history-of-Europe/Renaissance-thought)

- [The northern Renaissance](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-northern-Renaissance)

  - [Political, economic, and social background](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-northern-Renaissance#ref58327)

  - [Northern humanism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Northern-humanism)

  - [Christian mystics](/topic/history-of-Europe/Christian-mystics)

  - [The growth of vernacular literature](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-growth-of-vernacular-literature)

- [Renaissance science and technology](/topic/history-of-Europe/Renaissance-science-and-technology)

- [The emergence of modern Europe, 1500–1648](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-emergence-of-modern-Europe-1500-1648)



- [Economy and society](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-emergence-of-modern-Europe-1500-1648#ref58333)

  - [The economic background](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-economic-background)

  - [Demographics](/topic/history-of-Europe/Demographics)

  - [Trade and the “Atlantic revolution”](/topic/history-of-Europe/Trade-and-the-Atlantic-revolution)

  - [Prices and inflation](/topic/history-of-Europe/Prices-and-inflation)

  - [Landlords and peasants](/topic/history-of-Europe/Landlords-and-peasants)

  - [Protoindustrialization](/topic/history-of-Europe/Protoindustrialization)

  - [Growth of banking and finance](/topic/history-of-Europe/Growth-of-banking-and-finance)

  - [Political and cultural influences on the economy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Political-and-cultural-influences-on-the-economy)

  - [Aspects of early modern society](/topic/history-of-Europe/Aspects-of-early-modern-society)

- [Politics and diplomacy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Politics-and-diplomacy)

  - [The state of European politics](/topic/history-of-Europe/Politics-and-diplomacy#ref58344)

    - [Discovery of the New World](/topic/history-of-Europe/Discovery-of-the-New-World)

    - [Nation-states and dynastic rivalries](/topic/history-of-Europe/Nation-states-and-dynastic-rivalries)

    - [Turkey and eastern Europe](/topic/history-of-Europe/Turkey-and-eastern-Europe)

  - [Reformation and Counter-Reformation](/topic/history-of-Europe/Reformation-and-Counter-Reformation)

  - [Diplomacy in the age of the Reformation](/topic/history-of-Europe/Diplomacy-in-the-age-of-the-Reformation)

  - [The Wars of Religion](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Wars-of-Religion)

  - [The Thirty Years’ War](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Thirty-Years-War)

    - [The crisis in Germany](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Thirty-Years-War#ref58352)

    - [The crisis in the Habsburg lands](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-crisis-in-the-Habsburg-lands)

    - [The triumph of the Catholics, 1619–29](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-triumph-of-the-Catholics-1619-29)

    - [The crisis of the war, 1629–35](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-crisis-of-the-war-1629-35)

    - [The European war in Germany, 1635–45](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-European-war-in-Germany-1635-45)

    - [Making peace, 1645–48](/topic/history-of-Europe/Making-peace-1645-48)

    - [Problems not solved by the war](/topic/history-of-Europe/Problems-not-solved-by-the-war)

    - [Problems solved by the war](/topic/history-of-Europe/Problems-solved-by-the-war)

- [The great age of monarchy, 1648–1789](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-great-age-of-monarchy-1648-1789)



- [Order from disorder](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-great-age-of-monarchy-1648-1789#ref58361)

- [The human condition](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-human-condition)

  - [Population](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-human-condition#ref58363)

  - [Climate](/topic/history-of-Europe/Climate)

  - [War](/topic/history-of-Europe/War)

  - [Health and sickness](/topic/history-of-Europe/Health-and-sickness)

  - [Poverty](/topic/history-of-Europe/Poverty)

- [The organization of society](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-organization-of-society)

  - [Corporate society](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-organization-of-society#ref58369)

  - [Nobles and gentlemen](/topic/history-of-Europe/Nobles-and-gentlemen)

  - [The bourgeoisie](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-bourgeoisie)

  - [The peasantry](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-peasantry)

- [The economic environment](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-economic-environment)

  - [Innovation and development](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-economic-environment#ref58374)

  - [Early capitalism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Early-capitalism)

  - [The old industrial order](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-old-industrial-order)

- [Absolutism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Absolutism)

  - [Sovereigns and estates](/topic/history-of-Europe/Absolutism#ref58378)

  - [Major forms of absolutism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Major-forms-of-absolutism)

    - [France](/topic/history-of-Europe/Major-forms-of-absolutism#ref58380)

    - [The empire](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-empire)

    - [Prussia](/topic/history-of-Europe/Prussia)

  - [Variations on the absolutist theme](/topic/history-of-Europe/Variations-on-the-absolutist-theme)

    - [Sweden](/topic/history-of-Europe/Variations-on-the-absolutist-theme#ref58384)

    - [Denmark](/topic/history-of-Europe/Denmark)

    - [Spain](/topic/history-of-Europe/Spain)

    - [Portugal](/topic/history-of-Europe/Spain#ref58387)

    - [Britain](/topic/history-of-Europe/Britain)

    - [Holland](/topic/history-of-Europe/Holland)

    - [Russia](/topic/history-of-Europe/Russia)

- [The Enlightenment](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Enlightenment)

  - [Sources of Enlightenment thought](/topic/history-of-Europe/Sources-of-Enlightenment-thought)

  - [The role of science and mathematics](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-role-of-science-and-mathematics)

  - [The influence of Locke](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-influence-of-Locke)

  - [The proto-Enlightenment](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-proto-Enlightenment)

  - [History and social thought](/topic/history-of-Europe/History-and-social-thought)

  - [The language of the Enlightenment](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-language-of-the-Enlightenment)

  - [Man and society](/topic/history-of-Europe/Man-and-society)

  - [The Encyclopédie](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Encyclopedie)

  - [Rousseau and his followers](/topic/history-of-Europe/Rousseau-and-his-followers)

  - [The Aufklärung](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Aufklarung)

  - [The Enlightenment throughout Europe](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Enlightenment-throughout-Europe)

- [Revolution and the growth of industrial society, 1789–1914](/topic/history-of-Europe/Revolution-and-the-growth-of-industrial-society-1789-1914)



- [The Industrial Revolution](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Industrial-Revolution)

  - [Economic effects](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Industrial-Revolution#ref58405)

  - [Social upheaval](/topic/history-of-Europe/Social-upheaval)

- [The age of revolution](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-age-of-revolution)

  - [The French Revolution](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-age-of-revolution#ref58408)

  - [The Napoleonic era](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Napoleonic-era)

  - [The conservative reaction](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-conservative-reaction)

  - [The Revolutions of 1848](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Revolutions-of-1848)

- [Romanticism and Realism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Romanticism-and-Realism)

  - [The legacy of the French Revolution](/topic/history-of-Europe/Romanticism-and-Realism#ref58413)

    - [Cultural nationalism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Cultural-nationalism)

    - [Simplicity and truth](/topic/history-of-Europe/Simplicity-and-truth)

    - [Populism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Populism)

    - [Nature of the changes](/topic/history-of-Europe/Nature-of-the-changes)

    - [Napoleon’s influence](/topic/history-of-Europe/Napoleons-influence)

  - [General character of the Romantic movement](/topic/history-of-Europe/General-character-of-the-Romantic-movement)

  - [Romanticism in literature and the arts](/topic/history-of-Europe/Romanticism-in-literature-and-the-arts)

    - [Drama](/topic/history-of-Europe/Romanticism-in-literature-and-the-arts#ref58421)

    - [Painting](/topic/history-of-Europe/Painting)

    - [Sculpture and architecture](/topic/history-of-Europe/Painting#ref58423)

    - [Music](/topic/history-of-Europe/Music)

    - [Self-analysis](/topic/history-of-Europe/Self-analysis)

- [Early 19th-century social and political thought](/topic/history-of-Europe/Early-19th-century-social-and-political-thought)

  - [Postrevolutionary thinking](/topic/history-of-Europe/Postrevolutionary-thinking)

  - [The principle of evolution](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-principle-of-evolution)

  - [Science](/topic/history-of-Europe/Science)

  - [Early 19th-century philosophy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Early-19th-century-philosophy)

    - [Kant](/topic/history-of-Europe/Early-19th-century-philosophy#ref58431)

    - [Kant’s disciples](/topic/history-of-Europe/Early-19th-century-philosophy#ref58432)

  - [Religion and its alternatives](/topic/history-of-Europe/Religion-and-its-alternatives)

    - [Scientific positivism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Religion-and-its-alternatives#ref58434)

    - [The cult of art](/topic/history-of-Europe/Religion-and-its-alternatives#ref58435)

  - [The middle 19th century](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-middle-19th-century)

  - [Realism and Realpolitik](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-and-Realpolitik)

    - [Scientific materialism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-and-Realpolitik#ref58438)

    - [Victorian morality](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-and-Realpolitik#ref58439)

    - [The advance of democracy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-and-Realpolitik#ref58440)

  - [Realism in the arts and philosophy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy)

    - [Literature](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy#ref58442)

    - [Painting and sculpture](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy#ref58443)

    - [Popular art](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy#ref58444)

    - [Music](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy#ref58445)

    - [Summary](/topic/history-of-Europe/Realism-in-the-arts-and-philosophy#ref58446)

- [A maturing industrial society](/topic/history-of-Europe/A-maturing-industrial-society)

  - [The “second industrial revolution”](/topic/history-of-Europe/A-maturing-industrial-society#ref58448)

  - [Modifications in social structure](/topic/history-of-Europe/Modifications-in-social-structure)

  - [The rise of organized labour and mass protests](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-rise-of-organized-labour-and-mass-protests)

  - [Conditions in eastern Europe](/topic/history-of-Europe/Conditions-in-eastern-Europe)

- [The emergence of the industrial state](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-emergence-of-the-industrial-state)

  - [Political patterns](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-emergence-of-the-industrial-state#ref58453)

  - [Changes in government functions](/topic/history-of-Europe/Changes-in-government-functions)

  - [Reform and reaction in eastern Europe](/topic/history-of-Europe/Reform-and-reaction-in-eastern-Europe)

  - [Diplomatic entanglements](/topic/history-of-Europe/Diplomatic-entanglements)

  - [The scramble for colonies](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-scramble-for-colonies)

  - [Prewar diplomacy](/topic/history-of-Europe/Prewar-diplomacy)

- [Modern culture](/topic/history-of-Europe/Modern-culture)

  - [Symbolism and Impressionism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Symbolism-and-Impressionism)

  - [Aestheticism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Aestheticism)

  - [Naturalism](/topic/history-of-Europe/Naturalism)

  - [The new century](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-new-century)

    - [Arts and Crafts movement](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-new-century#ref58464)

    - [New trends in technology and science](/topic/history-of-Europe/New-trends-in-technology-and-science)

    - [The social sciences](/topic/history-of-Europe/New-trends-in-technology-and-science#ref58466)

    - [Reexamination of the universe](/topic/history-of-Europe/Reexamination-of-the-universe)

  - [The prewar period](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-prewar-period)

- [European society and culture since 1914](/topic/history-of-Europe/European-society-and-culture-since-1914)



- [The Great War and its aftermath](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Great-War-and-its-aftermath)

  - [The shock of World War I](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Great-War-and-its-aftermath#ref58471)

  - [The mood of Versailles](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Great-War-and-its-aftermath#ref58472)

- [The interwar years](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-interwar-years)

  - [Hopes in Geneva](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-interwar-years#ref58474)

  - [The lottery in Weimar](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-lottery-in-Weimar)

  - [The impact of the slump](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-impact-of-the-slump)

  - [The trappings of dictatorship](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-trappings-of-dictatorship)

  - [The phony peace](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-phony-peace)

- [The blast of World War II](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-blast-of-World-War-II)

- [Postwar Europe](/topic/history-of-Europe/Postwar-Europe)

  - [Planning the peace](/topic/history-of-Europe/Postwar-Europe#ref58481)

  - [The United States to the rescue](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-United-States-to-the-rescue)

  - [A climate of fear](/topic/history-of-Europe/A-climate-of-fear)

  - [Affluence and its underside](/topic/history-of-Europe/Affluence-and-its-underside)

  - [The reflux of empire](/topic/history-of-Europe/The-reflux-of-empire)

- [Ever closer union?](/topic/history-of-Europe/Ever-closer-union)

[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/additional-info) [Related Topics](/facts/history-of-Europe)

[Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/images-videos)

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Quizzes


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[History Buff Quiz](/quiz/history-buff-quiz)

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Contents


[World History](/browse/World-History)

International planning for peace after World War II took place on a world scale. Within five years, in an extraordinary burst of energy and imagination, statesmen endowed the world with almost all its existing network of global institutions: the United Nations (UN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Monetary Fund (the IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the IBRD, or World Bank), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the International Court of Justice, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the International Refugee Organization ...(100 of 156573 words)

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