that in spite of some backsliding here and election there progress is? world leaders commemorated the end of the largest and bloodiest conflict the world has ever seen. it marked a turning point in human history. the end of four massive empires t. entry of the united states into global power politics. perhaps the most significant intellectual was the end of the idea of inevidetable progress. before the war began people lived through economic growth, technological revolutions and increasing globalization. it was widely believed that ugly trend lines were temporary, to be overwhelmed by the on ward march of progress.