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Few images capture Europe’s dramatic transformation in the first half of the 20th century as powerfully as this compelling Time Magazine propaganda map poster. Through three carefully crafted maps, we witness how alliances shifted and new powers emerged across two world wars and into the Cold War era.
The first map (1914-1918) shows the World War I landscape, with the Central Powers highlighted in yellow. At this time, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire stretched across 239,977 square miles (621,538 square kilometers), ruling over 12 distinct ethnic groups and more than 50 million people. Together with Germany and the Ottoman Empire, they fought against Britain, France, and Russia in what would become known as the Great War.
The second map (1939-1945) illustrates the height of Axis power during World War II. The dark blue shows Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while lighter shades mark their conquered territories and puppet states. By 1942, Axis forces controlled an unprecedented 2.1 million square miles (5.4 million square kilometers) of European territory, from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert, ruling over 350 million people across two continents.
The final map (1950) of the poster depicts Europe’s Cold War division. The Soviet Union appears in solid red, while the wave pattern shows Soviet-controlled communist states like Poland and Czechoslovakia. This new arrangement created what Winston Churchill famously called the “Iron Curtain” – a political and physical barrier that split Europe into Eastern and Western spheres of influence.
These three maps remind us that Europe’s borders aren’t just lines on paper – they’re the result of complex political struggles that reshaped millions of lives. The patterns they reveal continue to influence international relations today, from NATO‘s structure to ongoing debates about European unity and division.
Interested in learning more about these pivotal periods in European history? Here are some highly-rated books available on Amazon that offer deeper insights:
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What are your thoughts on how Europe’s borders and alliances have shifted over time? Have you seen other historical maps that tell equally compelling stories? Share your perspectives in the comments below – I’d love to hear your insights!
Who ever made it back in the day, didn’t know better. Finland was never communist dominated nation. (shown in 1950’s part of the map) Hundreds of thousands dead soviet soldiers can confirm that it never happened. Still the independent frontline of western democracies.
Under USSR Finland first got its autonomy and later independence. Finland have nothing to do with hundreds of thousands dead soviets. Winter do. During 1917 Finland yoinked some territories that was not belong to it like a rat. USSR took it back. 9% of its territory Finland gave up when signed peace treaty in Moscow.
USSR could wipe Finland, but why? It is actually cares about people and culture unlike US. BTW, don’t forget to change your childs gender
Who ever made it back in the day, didn’t know better. Finland was never communist dominated nation. (shown in 1950’s part of the map) Hundreds of thousands dead soviet soldiers can confirm that it never happened. Still the independent frontline of western democracies.
Under USSR Finland first got its autonomy and later independence. Finland have nothing to do with hundreds of thousands dead soviets. Winter do. During 1917 Finland yoinked some territories that was not belong to it like a rat. USSR took it back. 9% of its territory Finland gave up when signed peace treaty in Moscow.
USSR could wipe Finland, but why? It is actually cares about people and culture unlike US. BTW, don’t forget to change your childs gender