history final

Why were the Balkans known as the “powder keg of Europe” during the 1910s?

many ethnic groups wanted independence, causing tension and conflict in the region.

What term is used to describe the Turks’ actions against the Armenians? How did religion play a role in this genocide?

they tried to destroy the Armenian people, partly because they were Christian while the Turks were mostly Muslim.

What was the significance of the First Battle of the Marne?

Germany’s advance into France and led to trench warfare on the Western Front.

What was the Schlieffen Plan and why was it created?

Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France before fighting Russia, avoiding a two-front war.

How can trench warfare be described?

type of fighting where soldiers lived and battled from deep ditches, leading to long and deadly stalemates.

How were civilians and society affected by World War I?

by causing shortages, higher taxes, loss of lives, and giving women more jobs in factories and war industries.

Russia was unprepared for the war in all of the following ways:

lacked strong military leaders, enough weapons, and good transportation systems.

The United States entered the war largely over what issue?

Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare against ships.

What does total war mean?

a country uses all of its resources, including civilians and the economy, to support the war effort.

What was propaganda during World War I used primarily for?

to gain public support for the war and encourage patriotism.

What were the results of trench warfare and air warfare?

led to new military technology like tanks, airplanes, machine guns, and submarines.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points would provide a framework for what?

to provide a framework for lasting peace after World War I.

What was the main job of the League of Nations?

to maintain world peace and prevent future wars.

Who did not join the League of Nations and what was their reasoning?

many Americans wanted to avoid involvement in foreign conflicts.

What new nations were created from Austria-Hungary and northwestern Russia?

Austria-Hungary and Russia included Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Why did the Treaty of Versailles cause WWII?

it punished Germany harshly, creating anger and economic problems.

What are three causes of the Russian Revolution?

poor working conditions, food shortages, and dissatisfaction with the czar’s leadership.

What was one consequence of the Russian Revolution?

the rise of the Soviet Union under communist rule.

What is a totalitarian state?

a government that has complete control over citizens’ lives and freedoms.

What are three methods Stalin used to control Russian citizens?

through terror, propaganda, and censorship of art and information.

How did mass communication technology and the media help Stalin and Hitler gain power?

spread propaganda and influence large numbers of people.

Why did both the Soviet Union Communists and the German Nazis gain power?

people wanted strong leaders during economic and political crises.

What was the intention of Stalin’s Great Purge from 1934–1939?

to eliminate anyone he saw as a threat to his power.

How did totalitarian states spread propaganda, biased, or incomplete information?

by controlling newspapers, radio, movies, and education with biased information.

What was the purpose of the Soviet state’s Five-Year Plan?

was to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union and increase production.

Which country had the highest enlisted men in World War I?

Russia

What economic and political challenges did Europe and the U.S. face after WWI?

faced economic problems like debt and unemployment, along with political instability.

How did the Great Depression threaten new post-WWI economic and political systems?

economic struggles made people lose faith in democracy and support extreme leaders.

What are the similarities and differences between Fascism and Communism?

both used dictators and controlled citizens, but fascism supported nationalism while communism focused on class equality.

What encouraged Germany, Italy, and Japan to continue their aggression toward other countries?

Germany, Italy, and Japan continued their aggression because other countries used appeasement and failed to stop them early.

What is the Massacre of Nanking (Nanjing), China?

The Massacre of Nanking was when Japanese soldiers killed and abused large numbers of Chinese civilians after capturing the city.

What does appeasement mean?

Appeasement means giving in to an aggressive country’s demands in order to avoid conflict or war.