Transition to the twentieth century -- The origins of the First World War -- The rise and decline of overseas empire -- The Treaty of Versailles -- The emergence of totalitarianism in Russia -- The first appeasement era: Locarno -- The Great Depression -- The origins of Nazism -- Stalin's purges -- The second appeasement era: Munich -- Yalta and the fate of Eastern Europe -- The Nuremberg trials -- The impact of Freudian thought -- Democratic Socialism at mid-century: transition or decay -- A half-century in perspective.