History Review: World War 2 and Decolonization

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts from lecture notes on World War 2, the Cold War, and decolonization.

World War 2 (1937-1945)

A global conflict with independent origins in Asia and Europe, driven by dissatisfied states seeking to alter international arrangements after World War 1.

The Road to War in Asia

Began in Asia with rising Japanese imperial ambitions clashing with Chinese nationalism.

Pearl Harbor

Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, fearing the U.S. would diminish its power, leading to U.S. entry into the war.

The Road to War in Europe

Germans' resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles and Hitler's rearmament and territorial expansion led to the invasion of Poland in 1939.

Lightning War

German military tactics during World War 2 which coordinated the rapid movement of infantry, tanks, and airpower.

Consequences of WW2

The deadliest war in history, with 60 million casualties, marked by new warfare technologies and blurring lines between civilians and enemies.

The Holocaust

Implemented by Nazis to rid Germany of its Jewish population and any deemed inferior.

Genocide

The attempted elimination of entire peoples, defined after the Holocaust.

WW2 Outcomes

Led to the consolidation and expansion of the communist world, enhancing the credibility of the Soviet regime.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Led by Mao Zedong, it grew enormously and gained support by addressing major problems.

Guomindang

A nationalist party that received support from the base of urban elites, landlords, and Western powers.

Post-WW2 Transformation

Marked a dramatic change in the political landscape with the end of European empires and the rise of independent nations.

European Economic Community

Reduced tariffs for members across Europe.

Marshall Plan

The US plan to funnel some $12 billion into Europe to combine with American markets to help build back up their economies.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A group that committed a nuclear arsenal to defend Europe against the Soviet Union.

Chinese Revolution

Represented the real beginning of China’s emergence from imperialist humiliation and the return to the global stage.

Great Leap Forward

To mobilize China’s population for rapid development toward a more fully communist society.

Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

Launched to bring health care and education to the countryside.

Cultural Revolution

Organized as Red Guards to rid China of those taking the capitalist road.

Socialism

An idea discredited by the Soviet Terror and the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

The Cold War

The global conflict that restructured international life after the Russian Revolution.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Brought the U.S. and Western Europe together in defense against Soviet aggression.

Warsaw Pact

Joined the Soviet Union to counterweigh NATO and Western influence.

Military Conflict

Occurred in 1978 in Afghanistan where a Marxist Party had taken power, resulting in a Soviet withdrawal.

Cuban Missile Crisis

An imminent nuclear war was the most haunting battle of the cold war era within Cuba after the communist takeover of Fidel Castro.

WW2 and the Cold War

Caused the U.S. to become a global superpower, containing a worldwide communist movement.

Decolonization

Expressed a decline in the legitimacy of empire and race, promising national freedom, opportunity, and prosperity.

Colonial rule

Lost credibility in politics, leading to the end of European empires.

The U.N.

Provided a platform to conduct anticolonial agitation, contributing to the global illegitimacy of empire.

India’s independence movement

Found expression in the Indian National Congress, led by Mohandas Ghandi.

Muslim League

Expressed skepticism of a possible single Indian state, leading to partition after WW2.

After Freedom

A bloc of nations formed known as the third world, or the Global South after freedom had been achieved by independent nation-states, facing the question of how they would govern themselves.

Globalization of democracy

Witnessed a political reversal, a globalization of democracy, expressed in developing countries.