Treitschke, Heinrich von. 1834-96. German Nationalist historian. Authoritarianism. History of Germany 1879-94.

Versailles, Treaty. 1783. Recognized US Independence. 1871. Bismarck wins Franco-Prussian war. 1919. Ended WWI. Founded League of Nations. Germans to cede territory and pay reparations of £6.6/$32B. Only 1/8 paid when cancelled in 1932. US did not ratify.

Vienna, Congress. 1814-15. Redrew map of Europe after Napoleon. Prussia gains Rhine, Westphalia. Swiss borders and neutrality confirmed. Netherlands created from Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg. Malta and Cape Colony ceded to Britain. Russia gets Poland. Austria trades Netherlands for north Italy. France reduced to 1792 borders. Metternich.

Vo Nguyen Giap. 1912-. Viet Minh commander 1946-54, 1966-75. Minister of Defence 1954-. Tet Offensive. Defeated Japanese 1942-5, French 1946-54, US 66-76.

Vonnegut, Kurt, Jr. 1922-. US satirical novelist, social critic. Player Piano 1952. Slaughterhouse Five 1969.

Wallenstein, Albrecht von. 1583-1634. Bohemian HRE general in Thirty Years War.

Walther von der Vogelwelde. 1170-1230. German lyric poet.

Waterloo, Battle. 1815. Final defeat of Napoleon by Wellington and Blücher.

Weber, Carl von. 1786-1826. German Romantic opera composer. Oberon 1826.

William I. (Wilhelm) 1797-1888. Hohenzollern King of Prussia 1861-. German Empire. 1871-. Supportedf Bismarck vs Austria and France.

William II. (Wilhelm). 1859-1941. German Emperor 1888-1918. Dismissed Bismarck. Sought world leadership. Precipitated WWI. Abdicated. -“I rule by God’s grace”.

Winkelried, Arnold von. -1386. Swiss hero of Sempach. Sacrificed himself to create a breach in the cavalry of Duke Leopold.

Wissman, Hermann von. 1853-1905. German explorer of Upper Congo.

Wittelsbach, Otto von. Otto I of Greece.

Zeppelin, Ferdinand von. 1838-1917. German constructor of dirigibles 1900-. 1928 Graf Zeppelin around world. Transatlantic service 1928-37. Hindenburg.