Existentialism in European Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Existentialism in European Art - Essay Example This art is still relevant today for all practical purposes and will be demonstrated as such. Europe had been left ravaged by Hitler and the Nazis. There was a great deal of despair in the region over the fact that for six years (1939-1945), basically Europe had been Hitler's stomping grounds. In 1938, Austria fell; in 1939, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia; also in 1939, Poland fell; Belgium, France, and the Netherlands surrendered in 1940; and Luxembourg fell in 1940 and was annexed to Germany.1 Then, also in 1940, Denmark and Norway were invaded, and Romania surrendered to Germany; Germany entered the Soviet Union in 1941 and lost; and then Yugoslavia, Greece, and Estonia all surrendered to Germany in 1941.2 By the end of the war, the U.S.S.R. (the United Soviet Socialist Republic) controlled a majority of Europe. In most countries, the U.S.S.R. put communist factions in control. Also, a few Baltic nations were annexed to the U.S.S.R. Germany was required to make reparations to several countries, notwithstanding. Much of these accoutrements had to be made in order to pacify the Allies' thirst for power in a declining German economy. In many ways, this was payback for the Nazism that had ravaged Europe. Germany was reduced to being in a bad situation financially, about where it had been before the start of World War II economically. At the end of World War II, people were ... Also, a few Baltic nations were annexed to the U.S.S.R. Germany was perhaps affected in the worst way in some senses of the word. There was an economic depression of sorts, and the country had to be entirely rid of Nazi policy and symbolism. Several German and Polish people were banished from their countries of origin due to the way Europe was divided based on post-war treaties. Germany was required to make reparations to several countries, notwithstanding. Much of these accoutrements had to be made in order to pacify the Allies' thirst for power in a declining German economy. In many ways, this was payback for the Nazism that had ravaged Europe. Germany was reduced to being in a bad situation financially, about where it had been before the start of World War II economically. At the end of World War II, people were seeking answers about existence and selfhood. After having lived through the concentration camps and the occupations, Europe was ready for a paradigm shift in the way people connected to one another (themselves) as well as other people. People were seeking more out of life. They wanted to know answers to the questions "Who am I" and "Why am I here" Post-World War II, many people were left wondering what to do with themselves. Now that they were free, people had the time on their hands to finally navel-gaze and be disaffected observers. For now, they were not the ones being interrogated. It was their turn to interrogate others and ask of life all of the questions that filled their souls with longing. People were struggling not to be bored (when they weren't in dire need of worrying about surviving, of course). And, surviving was an entirely different topic altogether that needed to be addressed. Many survivors of World War II