Key Historical Events and Reforms from 19th to 20th Century

What were the main characteristics of immigration to the US in the late 19th to early 20th centuries?

Changes included a shift in demographics, with more immigrants coming from Southern and Eastern Europe, and a rise in industrial migrants seeking jobs.

What common motive for reforms was shared by the Ottoman Empire, China, Russia, and Japan?

The common motive was to modernize and strengthen their nations in response to internal challenges and external pressures.

What were the main reform components in the Ottoman Empire under Selim III, and what was the outcome?

Reforms included military modernization and administrative changes, but they faced resistance and ultimately led to Selim III's deposition.

What were the main reform components demanded during the Taiping Rebellion in China?

Reforms included land redistribution, abolition of foot binding, and the establishment of a more equitable society.

What was the main cause for the beginning of the social reform movement in Russia in the 19th century?

The main cause was the dissatisfaction stemming from the defeat in the Crimean War, which highlighted the need for modernization.

Why did the Hundred Days reforms of 1898 fail in China?

The reforms failed due to conservative opposition, lack of support from the Qing court, and eventual coup by Empress Dowager Cixi.

What were the main goals of the Meiji reforms in Japan?

Goals included modernization of the military, industrialization, and the establishment of a centralized government.

What event signified Japan's rise to the status of a powerhouse?

The victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 signified Japan's emergence as a major world power.

What was 'The Berlin Conference'?

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) was a meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves without African representation.

Who were the Boers and what was 'The Boer War'?

Boers were Dutch settlers in South Africa; the Boer War (1899-1902) was a conflict between the British Empire and the Boer Republics.

What was 'The Indian Rebellion of 1857'?

Also known as the Sepoy Rebellion, it was a major uprising against British rule in India, sparked by cultural and political grievances.

What were the circumstances surrounding the building of the Panama Canal?

The canal was built to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitated by U.S. support for Panama's independence from Colombia.

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas, asserting that any intervention would be seen as a threat.

What was the outcome of the Spanish-Cuban-American War?

The war resulted in the U.S. defeating Spain, leading to the Treaty of Paris and the U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

What is 'self-determination'?

Self-determination is the principle that nations have the right to determine their own political status and governance.

Which competition worsened tensions between Germany and Britain leading up to WWI?

The Naval Race, where both nations competed to build the largest and most powerful navies.

What were the effects of WWI on the status of women?

Women gained new roles in the workforce, leading to increased demands for rights and suffrage post-war.

What is 'the Mandate System'?

The Mandate System was a compromise between the Allies' desire to retain control over former territories and the principle of self-determination. (Granted control over former German and Ottoman territories to various Allied nations, with the intention of guiding them towards independence.)

What motivated Japan's participation in WWI?

Japan sought to expand its influence in Asia and seize German territories in the region.

How did the Germans help the Bolsheviks come to power in Russia?

Germans provided support to the Bolsheviks, believing it would destabilize Russia and lead to a withdrawal from WWI.

What were the economic considerations supporting the U.S. decision to enter WWI?

Economic ties with the Allies and the desire to protect American investments in Europe motivated the U.S. entry.

Why did the new provisional government fail in Russia in 1917?

It failed due to continued war losses, economic instability, and lack of support from the populace.

What was the official cause that prompted the U.S. to enter WWI?

The official cause was German unrestricted submarine warfare, particularly the sinking of the Lusitania.

How did agricultural production in the 1920s contribute to global economic problems?

Overproduction led to falling prices, which contributed to the economic instability that culminated in the Great Depression.

What is 'economic nationalism' during the Great Depression?

Economic nationalism refers to policies aimed at protecting domestic industries and reducing foreign competition.

What were the economic recommendations of John Keynes?

Keynes advocated for increased government spending and lower taxes to stimulate demand during economic downturns.

What is the 'New Economic Policy' in the USSR in 1921?

The New Economic Policy was a temporary retreat from full socialism, allowing some private enterprise to revive the economy.

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

The Nuremberg Laws were anti-Semitic laws enacted in Nazi Germany that stripped Jews of citizenship and rights.

What effect did taxation policies have on farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Taxation policies often burdened farmers, leading to economic hardship and resistance against colonial authorities.

What is Maoism?

Maoism is a form of Marxism-Leninism developed by Mao Zedong, emphasizing peasant-based revolution.

What effect did the Great Depression have on Japan?

The Great Depression led to economic hardship, increased militarism, and expansionist foreign policies.

What political forces expressed new activism and radicalism in Latin America?

University protests and the rise of communist parties were significant expressions of political activism.

What effect did the Great Depression have on Latin America?

The Great Depression led to economic instability, political upheaval, and experimentation with new economic policies.

What constituted the policy of appeasement of Germany in the late 1930s?

The policy involved allowing Germany to expand its territory unchecked to avoid conflict.

What were the secret stipulations of the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact?

The pact included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Germany and the USSR.

How did women's war roles in the Soviet Union differ from those of British and American women?

Soviet women served in combat roles and were integrated into the workforce more extensively than in Britain and the U.S.

What motivated Stalin's position in the initial post-war moves?

Stalin aimed to expand Soviet influence and secure borders, influenced by previous negotiations at the Yalta Conference.

What is the 'Truman Doctrine'?

The Truman Doctrine was a U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism, marking the start of the Cold War.

What events compelled the Japanese emperor Hirohito to surrender unconditionally on August 15, 1945?

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, along with the Soviet declaration of war against Japan, compelled the surrender.

What is the 'Brezhnev Doctrine'?

The Brezhnev Doctrine asserted the Soviet Union's right to intervene in the affairs of communist countries to maintain socialism.

What is the policy of détente?

Détente was a period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

How many millions of people became refugees after the partition of India?

Approximately 10 million people became refugees due to the partition of India.

What is a 'nonalignment strategy' and what is the significance of the Bandung Conference?

The nonalignment strategy sought to avoid alignment with major powers during the Cold War; the Bandung Conference was significant for promoting solidarity among newly independent nations.

What was the Mau Mau movement in Kenya?

The Mau Mau movement was an anti-colonial uprising against British rule, focusing on land rights and independence.

What was the significance of the Balfour Declaration?

The Balfour Declaration expressed British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, influencing future conflicts in the region.

What were President Nasser's goals for Egypt?

Nasser aimed for Arab nationalism, modernization, and the nationalization of the Suez Canal.

What was the system of Apartheid in South Africa?

Apartheid was a legal system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government.

Who was the leader behind Ghana's success in achieving independence?

Kwame Nkrumah was the leader behind Ghana's independence, marking a significant moment in African decolonization.

Who was Deng Xiaoping and what are his accomplishments in the history of China?

Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese leader known for economic reforms that opened China to market-oriented policies and modernization.

What is the significance of Mikhail Gorbachev in world history?

Gorbachev is significant for his policies of glasnost and perestroika, which contributed to the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.