Modern history - historical events up to the present day, often contrasted with ancient history and medieval history. [In this instance, taken from the beginning of the 20^th century].

Dictionary.com

This page looks at topics A to R including the Cold War, The Depression, International Organisations, Fascism and general information sites including a range related generally to the 20^th Century.

The Second Page looks at topics beginning S to Z including Terrorism and Nuclear Concerns and Wars [and other conflicts] that occurred throughout the 20^th Century from World War 1 to The Balkans in the 1990s.

Information is aimed at undergraduate level and is listed in alphabetical groupings. Some information may be useful at a higher level.

Be aware some units/topics have different titles at different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied wherever possible.

Additional unit material will be included as time permits.

All standard Glossaries are now found on this page, listed alphabetically.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given every consideration.

A - F

20th Century

Aspects not covered by regional or period links.

• 1900s
• 20th Century Women
• Death of the Father : An Anthropology of Closure
  Deaths of leaders.
• EyeWitness : The 20th Century
• Genocide in the 20th Century
• Historical Atlas of the 20th Century [Amazon]
• History Channel - Speeches
  Primarily modern.
• Lectures on 20th Century Europe
• People’s Century
  Eyewitness accounts.
• The Inter-War Years
• Top 100 20th Century News Stories

Cold War

The unspoken conflict between the two great powers of the latter part of the 20th Century.

• For further links, go to the Political Science page, and scroll to the Cold War/McCarthyism inclusions.
• BBC - History - Cold War
  The Korean War 1950-1953, Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, Weapons of the Cold War, The Fall of the Soviet Union 1985-1991.
  Highly recommended !
• Cold War International History Project
  ‘Disseminates new information and perspectives on the Cold War, in particular new findings from previously inaccessible sources on the other side - the former Communist world’.
• Cold War, Hot Links
  Web Sources Relating to the Cold War. US-centric. ‘The entire spectrum of political thought and vary greatly in quality’.
• The Cold War
  Links to major events. Timeline. Check their Resources and Stories.
• Un-Tangling the Web of Cold War Studies
  Article with a huge number of embedded links to Cold War research, databases and general information. Not updated for some time.

Fascism

‘A theory and practice of extreme nationalism that developed originally in Italy and spread throughout other parts of the world. Although fascism was ostensibly opposed to communism because it allowed private property [albeit under tight government control], it did not differ in essentials from other forms of 20th-century collectivism, authoritarianism, or totalitarianism’. The Ism Book

General Information

• Fascism
  Internet History Sourcebook. Concentrates on Italy and Spain and has links to a range of information including essays by Mussolini, posters and more.
• Fascism [Wikipedia]
  Etymology, definitions, historical causes and developments, ideological origins, core tenets, racism and racialism, relation to religion, variations and sub-forms, Para-fascism, criticism, references, other links. You can also access a List of Fascist Movements by Country here.
• Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism
  ‘Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler [Germany], Mussolini [Italy], Franco [Spain], Suharto [Indonesia] and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each’.
• Portal : Fascism
  Definition, articles, news, images, quotes, categories, Did you know … ?, Things you can do, more. From Wikipedia.
• The Five Stages of Fascism
  Article by Robert O. Paxton, Columbia University.
• What to Read on Fascism
  Recommendations for books on the whole concept as well as specific aspects of fascism.

Mussolini and Italian Fascism

• Benito Mussolini
  Early life, creation of fascism, march on Rome and early years in power, building a dictatorship, Axis power, personal life, death, legacy, references, bibliography, other links, more. From Wikipedia.
• Benito Mussolini ([1883-1945]
  Biography from the BBC Historic Figures series.
• Benito Mussolini : What is Fascism, 1932
  An original essay by Mussolini. You should also check The Doctrine of Fascism, also by Mussolini.
• Italian Fascism
  Multi-section presentation. See menu on left.
• Italian Fascism [Questia]
  Selected books and articles from Questia. Other links to collections on related topics. ‘Read the full text of these publications and more with a Free trial’.
• The Rise of Italian Fascism
  ‘Kathryn Roberts examines how far Mussolini’s rise to power can be attributed to the failures of successive Liberal governments’.
• Ur-Fascism [Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt]
  An article by Umberto Eco.

Franco and Spanish Fascism

• About The Spanish Civil War
  A collection of information, chronology, articles, poetry, images and more. Mostly linked with American involvement in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
• Francisco Franco
  Early life, military career, from the Spanish Civil War to WWII, Spain under Franco, death and funerals, legacy, ancestors, references, bibliography, other links, more. From Wikipedia.
• Spanish Civil War Links
  Extensive collection either by language or by subjects.
• The Spanish Revolution [1936]
  Presents a view from the other side of the Spanish Civil War with an anarchistic viewpoint.
• The Visual Front
  Posters of The Spanish Civil War.

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G - L

General Sites & Portals

• Conversations with History
  ‘Distinguished men and women from all over the world talk about their lives and work. Guests include diplomats, statesmen, and soldiers; economists and political analysts; scientists and historians; writers and foreign correspondents; activists and artists. The interviews span the globe and include discussion of political, economic, military, legal, cultural, and social issues shaping our world’.
• Canadian War Museum
  Research centre, military history, collections, other programs, Covering Canadian involvement in wars.
• Conflict Map
  The Nobel Organisation. ‘In the course of the 20th century, mankind experienced some of the most devastating wars of all times. Where did these wars take place ? Have some regions experienced more wars than others ? Who were the main protagonists in these conflicts ? This map gives you the opportunity to answer these questions’.
• Early Modern Resources
  ‘a gateway for anyone seeking free-to-access electronic resources relating to the early modern period in history [c.1500-1800CE]’. There is also an Resources for Modern Historians which has downloadable resources for Modern History.
• Internet Modern History Sourcebook
  ‘Intended to serve the needs of teachers and students in college survey courses in modern European history and American history, as well as in modern Western Civilization and World Cultures’.

Great Depression, The

Social impact, the Wall St Crash, more. For information on The Depression in Australia visit this page

• American History - The Great Depression
  Political results, Recession of 1937, afterwards, Hoovervilles, facts and figures, references. From Wikipedia.
• America’s Great Depression
  Also a PDF version to download.
• Great Myths of the Great Depression
• Great World Depression
  Article covering the major points. A second coverage, primarily looking at the US, can be found at The Great Depression. This includes image galleries.
• Internet Modern History Sourcebook [The Depression]
  The Depression. Links.
• New York Times : The Crash of 1929
• The Roaring 20s and The Great Depression
  Two collections of links covering both periods.

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M - R

Major International Organisations

A number of significant international organisations and groups came into being during the modern era [post 1900]. These included the European Union, League of Nations, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organisation, International Criminal Tribunals & Criminal Courts, International Atomic Energy Agency, even Interpol - an international police agency. All took into account the need to involve and work with a more globalised culture and to achieve beneficial solutions to worldwide problems. Many which exist now are interlinked.

European Union

• Eur-Lex
  The access point for European Union law.
• Europa
  The official website for the European Union. Information about the EU, life in the EU, Publications & Documents, Policies & Activities, involvement, media, quick links, more. Their History of the European Union is quite extensive.
• European Commission
  ‘Represents the general interest of the EU and is the driving force in proposing legislation, administering and implementing EU policies, enforcing EU law [jointly with the Court of Justice] and negotiating in the international arena’.
• European Economic Community
  A precursor of the European Union. History, aims & achievements, members, institutions, policy areas, references, further reading, links. From Wikipedia.
• European Parliament
  ‘Headlines, Parliament, Your MEPs, Activities, EP Live’, more.
• European Union
  History, member states, governance, legal system, justice and home affairs, foreign relations, economy, development, demographics, culture & sport, reference, links. From Wikipedia.
• Historical Archives of the European Union
  ‘The HAEU preserves and makes available to the public the documents coming from the European Institutions as well as those of pro-European movements and personalities’.

International Atomic Energy Agency

• IAEA Primer
  Multi-page Fact Sheet.
• IAEA Video Channel
  View a series of videos about actions and involvements around the world.
• International Atomic Energy Agency
  ‘The IAEA is the world’s centre of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organisation in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies’.
• International Atomic Energy Agency [Wikipedia]
  History, structure and function, membership, list of Directors General, references, other links. From Wikipedia.

International Criminal Tribunals and Special Courts

• International Court
  From Wikipedia. Provides a brief introduction then links to a wide range of these.
• International Court of Justice
  ‘The International Court of Justice [ICJ], which has its seat in The Hague, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations’.
• International Criminal Tribunals and Special Courts
  Listing from the UN. This site covers a range of involvements especially those in the old Yugoslavia and Rwanda. You should also check International Criminal Courts which also has other specific links.
• Project on International Courts and Tribunals
  Covers Courts & Tribunals, Research Themes, Materials & Publications, Activities. Each is broken down into sub-topics. There are also links to related sites such as African International Courts and Tribunals Website.
• Tribunals & Other Mechanisms
  Information about various organs of the United Nations and their role.

International Monetary Fund

• Bretton Woods Project - IMF
  Background, then 900+ articles on different aspects relating to the World Bank and the IMF.
• History of [the] International Monetary System
  This university assignment may provide background for why the IMF was seen as worthwhile.
• IFIwatchnet
  ‘IFIwatchnet connects organisations worldwide which are monitoring international financial institutions [IFIs] such as the World Bank, the IMF, and regional development banks’. See what the watchers have to say.
• International Monetary Fund
  Organisation and purpose, history, data dissemination systems, members, assistance and reforms, support of military dictatorships, effectiveness, in the media, references, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• International Monetary Fund
  Home Page of the IMF. About the IMF, research, country information, news, videos, Data & Statistics, publications, more. You can even get a Fact Sheet called The IMF at a Glance.

Interpol [International Criminal Police Organization]

• Interpol
  History, methodology, member states & sub-bureaus, leaders, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Interpol History
  Provides a timeline plus listing of leaders with images.
• Interpol [Home Page]
  ‘INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 188 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organisations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime’.

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League of Nations

‘The League of Nations came into being after the end of World War One. The League of Nation’s task was simple - to ensure that war never broke out again’. [History Learning Site].

• History Learning Site
  Contains a background, the organisation and a short listing of successes and failures.
• League of Nations
  Origins, languages and symbols, principal organs, members, mandates, resolving territorial disputes, peace and security, disarmament and failure, general weaknesses, demise and legacy, references, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• League of Nations Photo Archive
  Introduction, Photo Collections, Reference Sources, Technical Information. Maintained by Indiana University.
• League of Nations [UNOG]
  Covers History [multiple sections], Archives, Museum and has links to a Photo Archive and more. You can download a Chronology of the League here. A Second Chronology can also be found here.
• LONSEA
  League of Nations Search Engine. Search by organisations, people, places and connections. Also access a bibliography, timeline, country matrix, more. University of Heidelberg.
• PBS - Woodrow Wilson : The League of Nations
  Covers his involvement and the reasons for doing so.
• The Covenant of the League of Nations
  Full listing of 26 Articles making up the Covenant. From Avalon Law, Yale.

United Nations

• Declaration
  Full text of the Declaration made on January 1, 1942 which could be seen as a precursor of steps to create the United Nations.
• History of The United Nations
  Preliminaries, establishment, activities, facilities, structure and offshoots, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Security Council Resolutions
  Collection from 1946 to 2009 by years. Some in PDF format.
• The United Nations at a Glance
  Covers origins, history, languages, observances, structure and organisation, member states and more.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  ‘The full text [ ] appears in the following pages’. One of the UN’s early [1948] major achievements.
• UN Democracy
  ‘This website gives easy access to the transcripts [since 1994] of two of the five principal United Nations bodies. The Security Council can authorise war and international sanctions. The General Assembly directs the business of the United Nations and recommends international treaties. Find out what your nation has been doing in this international forum’.
• United Nations
  History, organisation, membership, stated objectives, funding, personnel policy, reform, further reading, really extensive listing of other links, more. From Wikipedia.
• United Nations Home Page
  ‘UN at a Glance, UN Charter, Structure and Organisation, Member States, Reform at the UN, UN Information Centres, Events Calendar and Frequently Asked Questions’. There is also information about the main bodies making up the UN and the UN role in the world. Very extensive.
• United Nations Intellectual History Project
  ‘The project has been tracing the origins and the evolution of key ideas about international economic and social development, with some inroads into peace and security, nurtured under UN auspices’.
• United Nations Research Guide
  Maintained by Mississippi State University Libraries. Access by using the tabs at the top of the page.
• United Nations Webcast
  ‘Video on-demand’ about actions, meetings, more.
• UN Watch
  ‘UN Watch is a non-governmental organisation based in Geneva whose mandate is to monitor the performance of the United Nations by the yardstick of its own Charter’.

World Bank

• The World Bank
  Information about the bank, Data, research, learning, news, Projects & Operations, publications, countries, topics. Home Page of The World Bank.
• World Bank
  History [since 1945], leadership, members, voting power, poverty reduction strategies, Clean Technology Fund management, Clean Air Initiative, UN Development business, criticism, references, other links. From Wikipedia.

World Health Organisation

• Constitution Of The World Health Organization
  Document from 1946.
• World Health Organisation
  Countries involved, Health Topics, Publications, Data & Statistics, programs and Projects, information about the WHO. The WHO Home Page.
• World Health Organisation [Wikipedia]
  Background, Constitution & history, activities, structure, people, controversies, references, other links. From Wikipedia.

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