What Europe has learned and has not learned in the last hundred years

This article compares events that occurred in Europe at the beginning of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Many researchers consider 1914 to be an important point in European history. Indeed, often the beginning of the 20th century is considered to be that year, and in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the First World War was widely commemorated in Europe and across the world. Similarly, the end of the century is often referred to as 1991, when the USSR collapsed and Cold War ended. Gromyko therefore argues that the "short XX century" offers important lessons for today's European historians and politicians. Referring to recent European books, he reveals great similarities between conflicts at the beginning of the 20th Century and the beginning of the 21st. He believes that today European security depends on how successfully Russia is integrated in contemporary Europe. Just as was the case with Germany in the 20th century, Russia's relations with European countries will determine the difference between peace and war in Europe. Furthermore, Gromyko evaluates the development of Europe in the "short" twentieth century and argues that Europe is far from secure and just despite an enthusiastic belief among member states that the European Union project can prevent war. In contrast, he argues that Europe is as divided now as it was a hundred years ago and that Euroscepticism is the predominant position for the majority of Europeans. The current crisis over Ukraine has created a new and dangerous situation, but the author maintains that Europe should learn from its past and choose "lasting peace" rather than war.

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