Semester 2 Final Exam Review (June 2025)

Flashcards about the Age of Democracy & Imperialism, WW1, Interwar Years & WW2, The Cold War and Decolonization, the content is based on lecture notes

Describe the women’s suffrage movement during the Victorian Era.

Women’s suffrage movement (1837-1901) was a campaign that granted women the right to vote. The campaign was initially met with conflict during the Victorian Era. However, the right for women to vote was eventually granted in 1901

Who was Emmeline Pankhurst and how did she fight for women’s suffrage?

Emmeline Pankhurst was a British woman and founder of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903. She was known for the WSPU's militant tactics, such as strikes, to draw attention to the cause of women's suffrage.

Describe the Irish Potato Famine, including its causes and effects.

The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1848) was caused by a plant fungus that destroyed Ireland’s potato crop. This resulted in mass death from starvation and emigration, leading to a major influx of Irish immigrants to the United States, who were instrumental in the U.S. industrial revolution.

What is Zionism?

Zionism is a political and nationalist movement that advocates for the establishment and support of a Jewish state in Israel, the ancestral homeland, based on the belief that Jews constitute a nation.

What was the Dreyfus Affair?

The Dreyfus Affair involved Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French Army, who was falsely accused of selling military secrets to Germany in 1894. His imprisonment was fueled by rising antisemitism, and the affair caused extreme division in opinions about the French government.

Why did famines occur as a result of European imperialism?

Famines occurred in European colonies because European rulers forced farmers to focus on planting cash crops, which led to less food crops being grown and produced.

What is imperialism?

Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

What were the motives for imperialism?

The motives for imperialism included the desire of countries to fuel their growing industrial nations by acquiring natural resources, some of which they did not have.

What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) was a meeting between 14 European nations to divide up Africa, aiming to prevent fighting between these nations as competition for African territories intensified. No Africans were present or had any say in the matter.

Why was Africa a “prime candidate” for imperialism?

Africa was rich in valuable natural resources such as rubber, cobalt, iron, and gold, which were important for fueling the rising industrializing countries of the Western World.

Who was King Leopold & what did he do in the Congo?

King Leopold of Belgium funded Henry Stanley to obtain land in the Congo. He licensed companies to extract rubber, brutally exploiting Africans. In 1908, the Belgian government took control due to the extreme cruelty inflicted on the native people.

How did those in India feel about British imperialism? Describe the Sepoy Mutiny. What caused it and what was the response?

Many Indians disliked the racism and attempted conversion to Christianity by the British. The Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was triggered by rumors that new rifle cartridges were greased with beef and pork fat, violating the religious beliefs of Hindu and Muslim soldiers. The British brutally suppressed the mutiny.

Why did the British want to occupy Egypt?

The British occupied Egypt because the Suez Canal provided a valuable transportation route for trading with the East and accessing the Indian Ocean. They took control of financial proceedings due to Egypt's debt.

Describe the conflicts caused by British involvement in Jerusalem.

The British made conflicting promises during World War I, supporting both Arab independence and a Jewish national home in Palestine, creating tension between Palestinian Arabs and Jewish immigrants. This led to riots, clashes, and revolts.

Which countries were involved in the Opium War? What was the war about?

The Opium War involved China and Britain. It began in 1839 after China attempted to stop the opium trade. China suffered defeat due to outdated ships compared to Britain's steam-powered gunboats, leading to treaties that favored British interests.

How did modernization/industrialization lead to Japan becoming an imperialist power? Which countries did they invade? Why were they being imperialistic?

Modernization and industrialization during the Meiji Era transformed Japan into an imperialist power. They claimed Taiwan, Korea, and parts of Russia to protect their independence from Western imperialism.

List some of the places the U.S. imperialized.

The U.S. imperialized Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

How were some African nations able to resist European colonization? Was Ethiopia able to? Why or why not?

Ethiopia successfully resisted colonization due to Emperor Menelik II, who played the Italians, French, and British against each other and built up a large arsenal of modern weapons. Other countries that modernized and got involved in global trade also managed to keep their independence.

What were the MAIN causes of WW1? (M.A.I.N.)

The MAIN causes of WW1 were Militarism (strengthening of armed forces), Alliances (pacts drawing nations into conflict), Imperialism (competitiveness among nations), and Nationalism (ethnic groups wanting independent nations).

Describe the Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian man, sparking conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. This event triggered the alliance system, drawing in other nations and leading to World War I.

What is propaganda & how it was used?

Propaganda is biased or misleading information used to promote a particular political cause or point of view. During WWI, it was used to boost morale, gain support for the war, encourage enlistment, promote rationing, and demonize the enemy.

List countries of the WW1 Alliances.

Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire. Allied Powers: Britain, France, USSR, United States (from 1917), Serbia.

What was the Armenian Genocide?

The Armenian Massacre/Genocide occurred from 1915 to 1916 when the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire deported hundreds of thousands of Armenians from their homeland in Eastern Anatolia. The government viewed Armenians as potential allies of Russia during World War I. This led to mass deportations, systematic murders, and deaths from disease and starvation.

What was the Zimmerman Telegram?

The Zimmerman Telegram was a message from the German prime minister to the German ambassador in Mexico, intercepted by British agents. It proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico, with Germany supporting Mexico in recovering lost territory if they went to war with the U.S.

Describe trench warfare & technology used during WW1.

Trench warfare involved digging trenches for protection, leading to conditions like trench foot. New technologies such as tanks, chemical warfare, machine guns, and fighter planes made the war much more deadly. No Man's Land was the dangerous area between opposing trenches.

Describe the results of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty of Versailles heavily penalized Germany, forcing them to take the blame for the war, fund reparations, surrender territory and colonies, and reduce their military. It also outlined rules regarding the League of Nations.

Russian Revolution: Who was Lenin and who were the Bolsheviks? Bloody Sunday/Events leading to Revolution:

Vladimir Lenin gained support during the Russian Revolution by promising "peace, land, and bread." The Bolsheviks, members of Lenin’s political party, took control of the government in November 1917. Bloody Sunday on January 22, 1905, was triggered by rising prices and declining wages, leading to a violent response from the government.

What was the purpose of the League of Nations? What are some reasons it was not that successful?

The League of Nations was a group of nations that agreed to settle disputes rather than going to war, meant to act as a buffer to prevent war. It failed due to lack of enforcement, absence of key powers like the U.S., and failure to address issues leading to conflict.

Define Totalitarianism.

Totalitarianism is a government that takes total, centralized, state control over every aspect of public and private life, characterized by state control of society and individuals, ideology, a dynamic leader, one-party rule, modern technology, and methods of enforcement such as police terror and censorship.

Describe Stalin’s leadership.

Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin’s successor, implemented the Five Year Plan to develop the USSR’s economy. He eliminated rivals, sent "enemies of the state" to the Gulag, and granted women equal rights while still expecting them to handle domestic responsibilities.

List & describe some of the causes of the Great Depression and the global impact.

The Great Depression (1929-1939) was a worldwide economic recession characterized by high unemployment, poverty, and a crashing economy, triggered by the Wall Street stock market crash of Oct. 1929. Long-term causes included banks lending credit, overproduction, and international debt.

Define Fascism.

Fascism is a far-right political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, the idea of state over individual, and strong emphasis on centralized power under a dictator. It involves censorship, indoctrination, and secret police to maintain control.

List some of the characteristics that led to the rise of Hitler & Mussolini as leaders.

Unstable economic conditions after WWI and nationalistic sentiment led to the rise of Hitler and Mussolini. Italy felt slighted by the Treaty of Versailles, and Germany was burdened by debt and reparations, creating opportunities for these leaders to gain power.

How did the League of Nations react to aggressive actions of totalitarian leaders in the 1930’s?

The League of Nations enforced sanctions and condemned the actions of totalitarian leaders but lacked the power to effectively stop their aggression.

Describe Japanese, Italian, and German aggression prior to WW2.

Japan invaded Manchuria and committed the Nanjing Massacre. Italy saw Mussolini and his Blackshirts seize power in the March on Rome, becoming the new Prime Minister. Germany sieged countries such as Rhineland, Poland, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, violating Treaty of Versailles and other agreements.

What was the significance of the battles of Pearl Harbor and Midway?

Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941, Japan sunk/damaged 19 ships and killed 2,300+ Americans. The U.S. declared war on Japan and their allies and joined WW2. The Battle of Midway a U.S. victory this shifted the balance of naval power in favor of the U.S., and halted Japan’s eastward expansion.

Describe the German strategy of Blitzkrieg.

Blitzkrieg, meaning “lightning war”, was a German military tactic characterized by swift, concentrated attacks using mobile forces (tanks and air support) to quickly overwhelm the enemy.

List countries that are a part of the Axis v. Allied forces.

Axis: Japan, Germany, Italy. Allies: U.K., Soviet Union, U.S., China.

Describe Isolationism. How did it apply to the early years of the war?

Isolationism is when a country closes its borders to outside influence. The U.S. initially practiced isolationism, but the Pearl Harbor attack ended this policy and led to their entry into WWII.

Who was involved in the siege of Stalingrad and what was the significance of it?

USSR vs. Germany over control of the city of Stalingrad. The Soviet Victory marked a pivotal turning point as Soviets began to move westward into Germany. The win also provided a morale boost for Soviet soldiers.

Explain Hitler’s Final Solution.

Hitler’s Final Solution was his program to systematically kill the entire Jewish race through concentration camps and mass executions.

What happened in Hiroshima & Nagasaki?

The U.S. detonated atomic bombs in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and in Nagasaki as a result of Japans refusal to surrender in 1945, leading to Japan's surrender. General MacArthur was put in charge of establishing a democracy in Japan.

Describe what the Nuremberg Trials were for and the principle(s) they established.

The Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946) prosecuted Nazi leaders for crimes against humanity, peace, and war crimes. They established the principle that individuals are responsible for their actions even in times of war.

Describe D-Day and why it was important

D-Day (June 6, 1944) was the Allied invasion of Normandy in Northern France, led by the U.S. (General Eisenhower) Great Britain, Canada, France. It allowed Allies to land 1 million troops and they were able to liberate France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

What happened at the Yalta Conference?

The Yalta Conference (February 1945) was a meeting of Allied leaders (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) to discuss the post-war world. They agreed to a temporary division of Germany, Stalin promised free elections in Eastern Europe, and Stalin agreed to join the war against Japan and participate in the creation of the United Nations.

Explain the difference between Communism and Capitalism regarding economics.

In a Communist society, the government controls funds, everyone gets the same, and the government controls the economy. In a Capitalist society, people’s economic decisions control the economy, and individuals can run their own businesses.

What did Churchill mean when he used the term “Iron Curtain?”

Churchill meant to describe the ideological and political barrier between the communist East and the capitalist, democratic West and was a symbolic and physical barrier separating Western Europe (Allied-influence: democratic and capitalist) from Eastern Europe (Soviet-influenced: communist) during the Cold War.

List the countries involved in NATO v. the Warsaw Pact. What was NATO formed to do? What was the Warsaw Pact formed to do?

NATO: Norway, West Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Turkey, U.K., and Portugal, US formed to address Soviet expansion
Warsaw Pact :USSR, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania formed to combat NATO

Explain the purpose of the Truman doctrine & the Marshall Plan.

The Truman Doctrine (March 1947) promised U.S. support for free peoples resisting subjugation. The Marshall Plan (1948) offered money to rebuild European economies and reject communism.

List & describe some of the Cold War hotspots.

Cold War hotspots included Breakup of Yugoslavia (Ethnic tensions and reduced communist power led to breakup), Cuban Missile Crisis + Bay of Pigs Invasion where Agreement between Soviet leader, Khrushchev, agreed to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba, and the U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba. Finally the Vietnam War: to stop the spread of communism

Why was the Berlin Wall built? What did it symbolize?

The Berlin Wall was constructed to prevent people from East Germany crossing over to West Germany: it symbolized a barrier (physical, political) between the communist East and the capitalist, democratic West.

What countries were satellite nations? What purpose did they serve for the Soviet Union?

Satellite nations were Eastern European countries under Soviet influence, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and East Germany. They provided a buffer zone protecting the Soviet Union from potential attacks.

Describe what precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis and how it was resolved.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was precipitated by the USSR building missile bases in Cuba, threatening the U.S. President Kennedy used blockades to stop soviet ships and eventually, an agreement was reached: Soviets would remove missiles from Cuba and the US wouldn’t invade Cuba.

Why did the U.S. go to Korea and Vietnam? What policy/strategy did that follow?

The U.S. went to Korea and Vietnam to stop the spread of communism, following the Truman Doctrine, which pledged support to countries fighting communist influence.

What was the Arms Race? What was the principle of deterrence? What was the goal of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty?

The Arms Race was a rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Union where they raced to develop powerful new weapons to outcompete each other, causing tension and concern as nuclear weapons became more prominent to deterrence (idea of massive retaliation/mutual destruction).

Describe Gorbachev’s policies as the leader of Russia.

Glasnost (openness) the willingness to discuss Soviet problems openly. Perestroika (restructuring) reformation of economic and political system.

How did the Cold War end?

The Cold War ended in 1991 with the collapse of the USSR. The Soviet Union fell after and a new economy system arose.

Describe Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward.” Was it successful?

Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward” (1958-1961) was a 5-year plan to increase agriculture and industry in China involving communes and production quotas. It was wildly unsuccessful and resulted in a mass scale famine that killed 15-45 million people.

Define decolonization and self-determination.

Decolonization: the process by which former colonies, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, gained independence from European imperial powers after WWII
Self-determination: the self propulsion and motivation to complete a particular task

Describe the partition of India. Was it a solution that everyone agreed with?

The Partition of India (1947) was the division of British-ruled India into two independent countries: India and Pakistan, later becoming Bangladesh, which resulted in a massive displacement of millions of people along religious lines, leading to widespread violence and not something eveyone agreed with.

What is apartheid & who was Nelson Mandela? What was his role in ending apartheid?

Apartheid 50 year (1948-1994) long segregation in South Africa which Nelson Mandela was elected into presidential office after, really signifying the end of Apartheid. He made changes in order to put an end to it.

What type of leadership/government took power in Latin American countries?

Dictators ended up taking power in these Latin American countries after the U.S. got involved in trying to stop the spread of communism.

What happened at Tiananmen Square? What was being asked for? Did China make those changes or something else?

In June 1989, the People’s Liberation Army invaded Beijing to suppress protests for more freedom, hardship, government corruption, and repression at Tiananmen Square. China, in response, implemented Martial Law and Chinese army was sent to the streets to forcibly end the protests

What are NSGTs? How many exist today? What does the United Nations do to help?

NSGTs (Non-Self-Governing Territories) are territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. Today, 17 NSGTs still exist, all of which are under the purview of the UN.

What is the purpose of the Human Rights Watch?

To document and expose human rights abuses worldwide to promote accountability and change. They conduct fact-finding investigations, publish reports, and engage in advocacy efforts to pressure governments and international organizations to uphold human right standards.

Why was the Indian National Congress formed?

Formed in 1885 primarily to give Indians a voice in the colonial administration and advocate for greater rights and self-governance--played crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule.

Describe the impact of the Partition of India.

Resulted in 12 million displaced Hindus in Pakistan being forced to move to India and Muslims in India having to move to Pakistan. As a result, widespread violence broke out.

Describe the events leading up to and during the following genocides along with what if any intervention there was (Cambodia, Bosnia, and Rwanda)

Cambodia: No real effort by US to address human rights concerns. Bosnia: The International Court of Justice found in 2007 that Serbia violated the Genocide Convention by failing to prevent the Srebrenica genocide. Rwanda

What is value extraction (in the context of colonization) and how does it affect decolonization?

Developing the best ways to extract valuable resources from a country/piece of land--Resulted in economic dependency, resource depletion, infrastructure designed for extraction, and disruption of traditional economies, as well as continued exploitation of that colony’s resources even after they’ve gained independence.

Algeria successfully gained independence from France in 1962 after a long and brutal war.

Algeria success came as a result of the signing of the Evian Accords in 1962. These accords, approved by both French and Algerian voters, granted Algeria independence, ending French rule after over a century.

Describe two economic and two political challenges for many African nations following independence

Economic: Dependency on colonial economies and a lack of development and infrastructure. Political: Inexperienced leadership and unstable political systems, and Cold War pressures and geopolitical conflicts.