Contemporary World

Who was Tito, and how did he help keep Yugoslavia united?

Tito was a communist leader who suppressed nationalism and maintained unity through authoritarian rule and balancing power among ethnic groups.

What were the main ethnic and religious groups in Yugoslavia?

Serbs (Orthodox Christian), Croats (Catholic), Bosniaks (Muslim); they differed in religion, language dialects, and historical alliances.

What was the goal of 'ethnic cleansing' during the Bosnian War?

To remove or kill other ethnic groups from an area; led to mass killings, displacement, and atrocities against civilians.

What happened in Srebrenica in 1995?

Over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were massacred by Serb forces; considered genocide.

How did the world respond to the war in Bosnia?

NATO bombed Serb positions; the Dayton Accords ended the war; the UN established war crimes tribunals.

Why did Iraq invade Kuwait in 1990?

To gain control of oil and cancel debt; accused Kuwait of stealing oil.

How did the international community respond to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait?

UN imposed sanctions; U.S.-led coalition launched military intervention.

What was Operation Desert Storm?

A U.S.-led air and ground attack to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

What happened to Saddam Hussein after the First Gulf War?

He remained in power but faced heavy sanctions and restrictions.

What are sanctions, and how did they affect Iraq?

Economic penalties; weakened Iraq's economy and hurt civilians.

Why were the 9/11 terrorist attacks carried out?

Al-Qaeda opposed U.S. influence in the Middle East and U.S. support for Israel.

What problems happened in Iraq after the Second Gulf War began?

Power vacuum, insurgency, sectarian violence, and instability.

What happened to Saddam Hussein after the Second Gulf War?

He was captured, tried, and executed in 2006.

What major changes happened in the Middle East after the wars?

Increased instability, rise of extremist groups, power shifts, refugee crises.

What was ISIS, and how did it rise after the U.S. left Iraq?

A terrorist group that filled the power vacuum and took territory in Iraq and Syria.

What are the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS most infamous for?

Terrorism, extremist rule, and human rights abuses.

What were three major factors that contributed to the start of the Sudan-Darfur conflict?

Ethnic tensions, competition for resources, and government neglect of Darfur.

Name two rebel groups involved in the Sudan-Darfur conflict.

Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Army (SLA); Janjaweed (militia supported by the government).

What event in 2003 marked the beginning of the increased violence in Darfur?

Rebel attacks on government targets led to brutal retaliation by Janjaweed.

What organization issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir?

International Criminal Court (ICC); charges included genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

What significant political change occurred in Sudan in 2019?

Omar al-Bashir was overthrown; Sudan began a transition to civilian rule.

What specific event in Daraa helped trigger the Syrian Civil War?

Arrest and torture of teens who wrote anti-government graffiti.

Name three main groups involved in the Syrian Civil War.

Syrian government, rebel groups, ISIS.

Which two major countries provided military support to Assad's government forces?

Russia and Iran.

What was the significance of the 2013 Ghouta attack?

Chemical weapons attack on civilians drew international outrage.

What are three main countries that have taken in Syrian refugees?

Turkey, Lebanon, Germany.

What group took control of parts of Syria and Iraq but lost most of its territory by 2019?

ISIS.

What type of weapons were used against civilians during the Syrian conflict?

Chemical weapons.

What major economic event in 1991 marked the beginning of Japan's 'Lost Decade'?

Burst of the real estate and stock market bubble.

What is the meaning of 'Paper Tiger'?

Something that appears powerful but is weak in reality.

How did Japan contribute to the 1991 Gulf War?

Gave money but no troops; criticized for lack of direct involvement.

What two major crises in 1995 damaged public confidence in Japan's government?

Kobe earthquake and Tokyo subway sarin gas attack.

What was the role of Japan's Self-Defense Forces in peacekeeping missions?

Provided humanitarian aid and reconstruction support abroad.

What economic strategy did Deng Xiaoping implement in China?

Market reforms and opening to foreign investment.

What were the effects of China joining the World Trade Organization?

Boosted exports and integrated China into global markets.

What were some major industries in which China became a global leader?

Steel, clothing, consumer goods.

What were two major challenges that China faced with rapid urbanization?

Pollution and income inequality.

How did China begin to extend its influence globally in the early 2000s?

Built strong military, started space program, invested in other countries, bought natural resources from Africa, trade deals.

What position did Vladimir Putin hold when he first became Acting President of Russia?

Prime Minister.

How did Putin's government strengthen Russia's economy in the early 2000s?

Used oil and gas revenue, reduced debt, and increased stability.

What political reforms did Putin implement to centralize power?

Limited opposition, extended presidential terms, controlled media.

What year did Putin annex Crimea?

2014; international response included sanctions and condemnation from the West.

What role did Russia play in the Syrian Civil War?

Supported Assad with military aid; increased Russia's role in Middle East politics.