Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface xi

1. Eastern Europe: Caldron of Conflict 1

The Balkan Powderkeg 7

2. The Birth of Independent Eastern Europe 10

The “Subject Nationalities” at War 11

The Balkan States at War 18

The “Peace Settlement” in Eastern Europe 19

The “Peace Settlements” Evaluated 25

3. Growing Pains, 1920-1929 28

General Problems Common to Eastern Europe 28

The Newly Created States 32

The Balkan Kingdoms 42

4. Toward The Abyss, 1929-1939 52

The Great Depression 53

States Specifically Targeted for Conquest by Hitler 56

The Yugoslav Case 64

The Pro-Axis States 68

The Albanian Exception 76

5. Journey’s End: World War II, 1939-1945 81

The “Victim States” 82

The Axis Allies 95

Epilogue 108

Bibliographical Essay 112

Index 132

Maps:

Eastern Europe, circa 1900 3

Eastern Europe, 1923 26

Eastern Europe, 1939-1947 106

About the Author

After completing his graduate degrees at Indiana University, Edward D. Wynot, Jr., joined the faculty at Florida State University, where he is professor of East European history. Among his publications are books on Polish Politics in Transition: The Camp of National Unity, 1935-1939; Warsaw Between the Wars, 1919-1939; and the Coming of the Second World War, along with numerous scholarly articles. He has served on the editorial boards of professional journals and won several teaching awards at Florida State.