World War II
World War II was the lowest moment for freedom in all of recorded human history. Never before were the injustices of war extended to as many areas of the globe at one time. Never before had the desire for homogeneity been taken to such mechanical and cold-blooded extremes. Never before did belief in all-powerful government extend such a grip on politicians and intellectuals in most of the world. Never before did the race for weapons superiority lead to such lethal results.
On the bright side, the less unfree side won.
(The omission of much material here is strictly the result of time constraints. I hope to add much more to this section in the future.)