Peace agreements after World War I changed the map of the world and new governments appeared in many countries including those of Western Asia. But World War I did not solve the world's problems. The peace settlements that proceeded the war only created conditions that sent the world into another war less than 20 years later.

World War II can be traced back to the Treaty of Versailles and other peace settlements that followed World War I. The nation that suffered tremendously from the treaty was Germany. The victorious allies of the First World War forced the Germans to give up land, pay reparations and admit to starting World War I. The German nationalists demanded punishment for the "criminals" who had made peace. They also kept up a constant attack on the Treaty of Versailles. Along with the unforeseen hit of the depression, the Germans were miserable and found it easy to blame the treaty for their troubles. In an attempt get back at those who caused them so much anguish, the Germans rebelled and formed the National Socialist Party who demanded revision of the treaty and an overthrow of the Weimar Republic. Adolf Hitler, who was at the head of the party, loved the army and despised soldiers who hated war.

The League of Nations, which was set up by the Treaty of Versailles, added to Germany's desire to go to war. The League's goal was to help nations settle their disputes. When Germany joined the League in 1929, its officials pleaded for help but most ountries were too busy with their own problems to pay much attention to Germany. The general discontent and the depression quickened the death of the republic and therefore the Nazi Party grew stronger. With the rise of Hitler' s dictatorship, he threatened war and lied to gain territory in Europe. The leaders of Great Britain, France and other countries tried to prevent war by letting Hitler have his way. However, once his hunger for power became too great, the nations joined together to fight him, hence World War II.

The consequences of World War I and the problems of adjustment to peace agitated almost every nation. The Allies emphasized the principal that gave each nation the right to choose its own form of government. In some European nations, like Germany, conditions allowed dictators to seize power. In others, this principal caused the rise of nationalism. With the depression of 1929, nations became concerned with primarily solving their own problems, instead of cooperating with their neighbors.

Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini used nationalism in demanding extreme loyalty from their people. Italy and Germany, along with other nations, promoted integral nationalism, a belief that a certain nationality was superior to all others. This led to problems of nationalism from the minorities within their borders. This idea also placed strict limits on who could claim a certain nationality. In support of integral nationalism, the Nazis killed millions of Jews and other people who they considered inferior human beings. Germany and Italy set out to conquer the world. In the end, their actions helped bring on World War II.

So in conclusion, in the long run, the peace settlements that ended World War I may have healed many old wounds, but they certainly inflicted new ones.

Sir Winston Spencer Churchill is one of the most famous figures in British history. He was a man of many talents, which included, speaking publicly, writing, painting and being a great soldier and war reporter. Churchill became one of the greatest statesmen in world history. Although he was famous for accomplishments he achieved as early as when he was in his twenties, Churchill reached the height of his fame as the heroic Minister of Great Britain during World War II. He courageously led his people as they struggled to keep their freedom.

Early in World War II, Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. The British refused to give in despite the huge odds against them. Churchill�s personal courage, the magic of his words, and his faith in victory inspired the British. His mere presence gave his countrymen hope and courage, and he was cheered by everyone, as he walked the streets raising his hands in the famous gesture of "V for victory�.

Churchill was appointed Lord of the Admiralty of England in 1911. He built up England�s navy and modernized the fleet. He also crated the navy�s first air service. Churchill prepared England, and his country when it entered World War I, on August 1914. Unfortunately, however, during the war, Churchill led an unsuccessful attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula and was blamed for its disaster. He resigned from the admiralty, but kept his seat in Parliament.

During the years between World War I and World War II, Churchill spent much of his time painting and writing. Both in speaking and through his writing, Churchill tried to warn the nation and the world of the danger of Nazi Germany. He warned England that a powerful air force was very necessary. He was alarmed by the build-up of the German armed forces. His fears became reality on September 1st, 1939, when the German troops marched into Poland. On September 3rd, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. The Prime Minister of England quickly appointed Churchill to the same position he had in World War I, Fist Lord of the Admiralty.

In 1940, King George VI asked Churchill to form a new government, and at the age of 66, Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain. Churchill took over at a time of great crisis, and he had �nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.�

The months that followed were very difficult ones. Belgium had surrendered to Germany, and the defeat of France was inevitable. On June 4th, Churchill told the Commons that even though all of Europe might fall, ���we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end�.we shall fight in the seas and oceans�.we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender�.� This speech has made history, and it is with this determination that Churchill is remembered.

On June 22nd, France surrendered to Germany and, now, Britain stood alone. It was certain that England would be invaded by Germany. In a speech to the Commons on the day after France asked Germany for an armistice, Churchill declared, �Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, �This was their finest hour�.� Before the Germans could cross the English Channel, they had to defeat the British air force. Even though the British were outnumbered, they managed to defeat the German air force. Churchill expressed his gratitude to his men.

As the war continued, Churchill�s presence was everywhere. He defied air-raid alarms and went into the streets as the bombs fell. He inspected coastal defenses as well as air force headquarters. He visited victims of air raids. Everywhere he went, he held up his �V for victory� salute. To his own people, as well as those of the allied nations, this simple gesture became an inspiring symbol of faith in eventual victory.

Churchill was both a clever military man and politician. His many meetings with President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States led to the Atlantic Charter, a document which set forth the common postwar aims of the Unite States and Britain. On December 26th, 1914, Churchill addressed the American Congress. He touched all Americans with his faith and his vision of British people and Americans, �walked together, side by side, in majesty, in justice, and in peace�. In August 1942, Churchill met with Russia�s leader, Premier Joseph Stalin. Russia, too, was at war with Germany, after having been invaded in June 1941. In 1943, Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt, the Big Three, as they were called, all met in Iran. They made plans for the British-American invasions of France for the following spring. Churchill had other strategic plans as well. He talked of an invasion of Italy by way of North Africa. He suggested that the British and Americans together strike in the Balkans.

The North African-Italian invasion went forward as planned. When the European invasion was almost ready to go, Churchill brought up his Balkan plan at a Summit meeting held at Yalta on the Black Sea. Stalin did not like this plan. Churchill had always been suspicious of Stalin and feared the spread of communism. He felt that Stalin wanted the Balkans for himself. There was disagreement between the two leaders. Roosevelt was quite ill at the time, and was unable to smooth things over between Churchill and Stalin. Churchill�s Balkan plans were abandoned as Roosevelt gave in to Stalin.

June 6th, 1944, was D-Day. The Allies landed in France. Before a year had passed, the Allied Forces took Germany and Hitler fell. Roosevelt had died and the Americans had a new president, President Harry S. Truman. Churchill, once again, met with Stalin and Roosevelt�s replacement, Truman, to plan the peace. They discussed the administration of Germany. Churchill, however, was not allowed to continue because an election had been held in Britain, and he had lost his position as prime minister. Churchill became leader of the opposition in the House of Commons. He warned Parliament to plan a strong national defense, and also warned the western world against the dangers of communism---�Beware��time may be short��From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the continent.�

The Conservatives returned to power in 1951, and Churchill, once again, became prime minister. He concentrated most of his energy on foreign affairs, and worked very hard to encourage a British-American unity. Queen Elizabeth knighted Churchill in April 1953, and later on in that year, Churchill received the Nobel Prize for literature.

Churchill was a very loved man and leader. On his 80th birthday, members of all political parties gathered to honour him. Countless gifts and congratulations were sent to him from all over the world. He was the man seen as having inspired Britain during World War II. To this, Churchill humbly replied, �It was the nation and the race dwelling all around the globe that had the lion�s heart. I had luck to be called on to give the roar�. In 1963, the United States Congress made Churchill an honorary of the United States. This action showed how much Churchill was loved by the Americans, for they viewed him as a man who had done so much for the cause of freedom. Referring to Churchill decisive World War II role in rallying the forces of freedom, President John F. Kennedy said, �He mobilized the English language and sent it to battle�.

When Sir Winston Churchill died on January 24th, 1965, the world grieved his passing. In its grief, however, the world also remembered all Churchill had done, and was very proud of this hero who had so courageously upheld freedom in its darkest hour. In the minds of the people, Churchill stood for his great nation. He had taken his countrymen from the brink of defeat to victory. He rallied his people with great stamina and excessive will. During their darkest hour, he was able to give his people morale, and in times of war, morale is everything. The world is grateful for these actions.

Many tributes have been made to Sir Winston Churchill from many political figures, presidents, royalty and friends. But Sir Winston Churchill left a mark on the common people as well. A war widow had placed a handwritten note at Churchill�s monument in London, with the following inscription: �To Winston L. Spencer Churchill to whom this island and the world owes so much.

In sorrow and with deepest gratitude we thank you sir�. This is the way Churchill will always be remembered.

Demographics is the study of population and of peoples; a very important study, especially in democratic nations. Where election predictions can be made based on a voter�s age, sex, ethnic background, education, etc. Demography was also the greatest determining factor in bringing about the communist rise to popularity in China during the two decades before the Second World War.

The earliest records of Chinese history establish the very first dynasty as to have started around the year 2000 BC. In the past four thousand years, the Chinese have had roughly one hundred years free from the absolute rule of imperialistic dictators. Throughout this time, emperors have exploited the peasant worker, whether by promoting a feudal system similar to that of medieval Europe or by imposing heavy taxes and favouring the noble landowners. After nearly four millennia governed by a multitude of hereditary dynasties, the common Chinese people of the 20�s were faced with a choice: whether to support the Kuomintang rebels that had overthrown the last emperor, or to join the Chinese Communist Party, which at that time, had just come to existence.

The Kuomintang spoke of a republican form of government, whereas Mao Zedong (a communist) borrowed from the Soviet-Marxist doctrine. In a nation where dictator monarchs had quashed peasant rebellions for centuries, the communist ideal of a worker�s paradise appealed greatly. Not only that, but the majority of the population was agrarian and rural. The Chinese had only begun foreign relations at the end of the 18th century, and as a result, the urban community was severely undeveloped.

In the mid-twenties, the Kuomintang allied with the communists to pursue a common goal: ridding China of warlords with imperial aspirations. As they neared their goal however, the Kuomintang turned on the communists and took power for themselves. Mao and his followers went underground in central China looking for support. In a few short years, Mao had built an army and a soviet style government in his organization. It is during this period that the communists experienced the greatest swell in their numbers. The Kuomintang had become increasingly chaotic and corrupt in the years following the First World War. By the early 30�s, when Japanese aggression began, their disorganized under-trained recruits were no match for the Japanese expansionist armies advancing into northern China.

As the Kuomintang lost battles and the Red Army routed the Japanese, Mao gained even more favour. In 1934, Kuomintang forces stormed the communist base in central China. Mao�s forces, however, fought their way through several blockades and re- established a presence in the western part of the country. The determination and will shown by the Red Army only increased its popularity. By 1936, the Japanese were attacking in full force, anxious to occupy the remainder of China. Mao proposed an alliance with the Kuomintang. Neither side wanted the other as an ally, but as the Second World War loomed nearer, there was no choice. They could not afford to waste effort and resources on infighting. The Japanese expansionist armies already in northern China would face a united Chinese front. The merging was only in name though. Kuomintang support in the country was virtually non-existent. Mao understood the need to wait until the Japanese threat had passed.

Before the beginning of the Second World War, the Communist Party already had the ability and the popularity necessary to take power. However, it saw the merits of patience. The peasantry in China represented the majority of the population, after millennia of oppression and exploitation, the communists were saviours. Also, the heroism and leadership that Mao exhibited attracted them. Communism came about in China because the demographics of the region allowed it to. The communist movement had been sweeping through the nation for some time now, it was like having a break for war. Afterwards, the socialists clearly held the upper hand.