Warfare History

The Darkest Century: 15 Nations That Endured the Greatest Hardships of the 20th Century

Darren - October 12, 2025

The 20th century was marked by unprecedented challenges as nations grappled with the devastating impacts of two World Wars, the deadliest conflicts in human history (pritzkermilitary.org). The interwar period was characterized by economic crises, notably the Great Depression, which led to widespread poverty and social unrest. The rise of totalitarian regimes and the subsequent Cold War introduced new forms of political upheaval, including proxy wars and ideological confrontations. Additionally, the century witnessed significant decolonization movements, leading to both liberation and conflict in newly formed nations. These multifaceted challenges reshaped the global order, leaving a legacy of both resilience and tragedy that continues to influence the world today.

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1. Poland

Poland endured immense suffering during the 20th century, beginning with its invasion by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. The subsequent occupation led to the deaths of approximately six million Polish citizens, nearly 21.4% of the pre-war population, with half being Polish Jews. The Holocaust resulted in the systematic extermination of about three million Polish Jews (en.wikipedia.org). After World War II, Poland fell under harsh Communist rule, leading to further political repression and economic hardships. The loss of sovereignty and the immense human toll during this period have left a lasting impact on the nation.

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2. Russia (Soviet Union)

The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, initiating a period of profound upheaval. The subsequent civil war resulted in the loss of millions of lives. Under Joseph Stalin’s rule, the Great Purge of the late 1930s led to the imprisonment or execution of millions considered dangerous to the state. The Holodomor, a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, caused the deaths of millions. World War II inflicted further devastation, with the Soviet Union suffering immense human and material losses. The Cold War era imposed additional hardships, including political repression and economic challenges.

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3. Germany

Germany’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheaval. The aftermath of World War I led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic, which faced significant economic and political challenges. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party culminated in Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933, leading to the establishment of a totalitarian regime (history.com). The Nazis’ aggressive expansionism triggered World War II, resulting in widespread devastation and the Holocaust, during which six million Jews were systematically murdered. Post-war, Germany was divided into East and West during the Cold War, symbolized by the Berlin Wall erected in 1961. The nation was reunified in 1990, emerging from a century of turmoil.

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4. China

China’s 20th century was marked by profound upheaval. The Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) between the Nationalists and Communists resulted in the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 (britannica.com). The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) aimed to rapidly industrialize the nation but led to a catastrophic famine, causing the deaths of millions. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), initiated by Mao Zedong, sought to reinforce communist ideology but resulted in widespread persecution, social upheaval, and the loss of countless lives.

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5. Vietnam

Vietnam’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheaval. Under French colonial rule, the Vietnamese people faced exploitation and oppression. During World War II, Japan occupied Vietnam, leading to a devastating famine that resulted in the deaths of millions. Following Japan’s defeat, the First Indochina War (1946-1954) ensued, culminating in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which ended French colonial rule (apnews.com). The subsequent Vietnam War (1955-1975) led to the reunification of the country under communist control. Post-war, the government implemented re-education programs for former South Vietnamese officials and faced significant economic challenges.

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6. Cambodia

Cambodia’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheaval. Under French colonial rule, the Cambodian people faced exploitation and oppression (bbc.com). During World War II, Japan occupied Cambodia, leading to a devastating famine that resulted in the deaths of millions. Following Japan’s defeat, the First Indochina War (1946-1954) ensued, culminating in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which ended French colonial rule. The subsequent Vietnam War (1955-1975) led to the reunification of the country under communist control. Post-war, the government implemented re-education programs for former South Vietnamese officials and faced significant economic challenges.

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7. Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s 20th-century history was marked by significant upheavals. In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia, leading to the occupation of Addis Ababa in 1936. The Italian occupation ended in 1941, but the country faced internal challenges, including famines and civil wars. In 1974, Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown by the Derg, a Marxist-Leninist military junta. The Derg’s rule was characterized by the “Red Terror,” a period of political repression and mass executions. The regime also implemented collectivization policies, leading to economic struggles and displacement (globhistory.org).

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8. Armenia

Armenia’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheavals. In 1915, during World War I, the Ottoman Empire initiated the Armenian Genocide, resulting in the deaths of at least 664,000 and possibly as many as 1.2 million Armenians through massacres, systematic ill-treatment, exposure, and starvation (encyclopedia.ushmm.org). Following the genocide, Armenians faced displacement and sought refuge in various countries. The Soviet period introduced new challenges, including political repression and economic hardships, as Armenia became one of the Soviet republics. The legacy of these events continues to influence Armenia’s social and political landscape.

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9. Rwanda

Rwanda’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheavals. Under Belgian colonial rule, the Tutsi minority was favored, leading to deep-seated ethnic tensions with the Hutu majority (un.org). These divisions escalated into a civil war in 1990. In 1994, the assassination of President Habyarimana triggered the genocide against the Tutsi, resulting in the systematic killing of over one million people in just 100 days. The aftermath left enduring social and psychological scars, with survivors grappling with trauma and the nation striving for reconciliation and unity.

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10. Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia’s 20th-century history was marked by significant upheavals. Established after World War I, the nation experienced internal tensions among its diverse ethnic groups. During World War II, Yugoslavia suffered under Axis occupation, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Post-war, the country was reconstituted as a socialist federation under Josip Broz Tito, who maintained unity through authoritarian rule. Following Tito’s death in 1980, rising nationalism and economic decline contributed to the federation’s disintegration in the early 1990s. This breakup led to a series of ethnic conflicts and wars, notably the Bosnian War (1992-1995), characterized by ethnic cleansing and mass displacement. The Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1996) became a symbol of the brutal conflicts, with Bosnian Serb forces besieging the city for nearly four years. The Kosovo conflict (1998-1999) further intensified regional instability, resulting in NATO intervention and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanians. The legacy of these conflicts continues to affect the Balkans, with ongoing efforts toward reconciliation and rebuilding (britannica.com).

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11. Korea

Korea’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheavals. Under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, Koreans faced cultural suppression and forced labor (history.com). Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into Soviet and American occupation zones, leading to the establishment of North and South Korea in 1948. The Korean War (1950-1953) resulted in millions of casualties and the division of the peninsula into two separate nations. The legacy of these events continues to influence the Korean Peninsula’s political and social landscape.

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12. Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s 20th-century history was marked by profound upheavals. In 1919, the Third Anglo-Afghan War led to Afghanistan’s full independence from British influence. The Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion aimed to support a faltering communist regime, resulting in a decade-long conflict with the Afghan mujahideen (history.com). The war caused an estimated one to three million Afghan deaths and displaced millions more. Following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan descended into civil war, leading to the rise of the Taliban in 1996. The legacy of these conflicts continues to affect Afghanistan’s social and political landscape.

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13. Greece

Greece’s 20th-century history was marked by significant upheavals. During World War II, Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany, leading to widespread suffering and resistance movements. After the war, the Greek Civil War (1946-1949) erupted between government forces and communist insurgents, resulting in over 50,000 combatant deaths and the displacement of more than 500,000 Greeks. In 1967, a military junta seized power, ruling until 1974, during which time political freedoms were severely restricted. The junta’s collapse led to the restoration of democracy and the abolition of the monarchy (britannica.com).

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14. Japan

Japan’s 20th-century history was profoundly shaped by the devastation of World War II. In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in the immediate deaths of approximately 78,000 and 27,000 people, respectively, with total fatalities reaching around 140,000 and 70,000 by year’s end. These bombings led to Japan’s surrender and the end of the war. The aftermath necessitated extensive reconstruction efforts, with Hiroshima and Nagasaki rebuilding their cities and economies (pref.hiroshima.lg.jp). The legacy of these events continues to influence Japan’s culture and its commitment to peace.

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15. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has endured significant hardships throughout the 20th century. Under Belgian colonial rule, the Congo Free State (1885-1908) was notorious for its exploitation and atrocities, including forced labor and mass killings. Following independence in 1960, the country faced political instability, including the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and the rise of Mobutu Sese Seko’s dictatorship (britannica.com). The 1990s saw the First and Second Congo Wars, resulting in millions of deaths and widespread displacement. Despite its vast natural resources, the DRC remains one of the world’s poorest nations, grappling with ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises.

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Enduring Legacies and Lessons

The 20th century’s profound adversities have left indelible marks on the global landscape. Nations, despite facing wars, genocides, and economic crises, have demonstrated remarkable resilience, rebuilding and striving for stability (bartleby.com). These hardships have reshaped international relations, leading to the establishment of organizations like the United Nations to promote peace and cooperation. The enduring lessons from this era underscore the importance of diplomacy, human rights, and the collective pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.

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