Wends. Sorbs. Slavic tribes of Pomerania, east Germany.

Western European Union. 1948. Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg. 1954 +Italy, Germany. 50 year treaty. NATO. European Defense Community.

Westphalia, Peace of. 1648. Conclusion of the Thirty Years War between Germany, France, and Sweden and Spanish-Dutch 80 Years War. Formal recognition of Swiss independence. Dutch independence. HRE weakened. Religious toleration. Confirmed Augsburg.

Wheel. 1535-1827. Form of torture originating in Germany.

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”.

World War I. 1914-18. Allies-France, British Empire, Russia, Italy, US(1917-) vs Central Powers-Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire. Caused by Nationalist movements, Balkan instability, trade rivalry, alliances. 30M casualties. First tanks, chemical, planes, submarines. Ended Russian, Ottoman, Austria-Hungarian Empires.

World War II. 1939-45. Allies-Britain, France, US(1941-), Russia(1941-) vs Axis-Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia(-1941). Caused by German Totalitarian expansionism resulting from WWI reparations and fear of Communism. 55M dead. 35M wounded. 30M refugees. Cost $US 1500B. Led to United Nations, Soviet power, State of Israel, atomic weapons.

Yugoslavia. Balkans. 1918 Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes. 1929 =Yugoslavia. 1929-31 Dictatorship. 1941-45 Italy, Germany occupy. 1945 Socialist Federation of Republics. 1948 Broke Soviet ties. 1991 -Croatia, Slovenia, Civil war. Serbia. Croatia. Bosnia-Hercegovina. Slovenia. Macedonia. Montenegro. Tito. Kosovo.

Zimmerman Telegram. 1917. Germany suggests Mexican alliance if US enters war. Interception aroused public vs Germany.