World History Review

Flashcards about key events and concepts in world history, from the Industrial Revolution to the Cold War, based on lecture notes.

Urban Game Inventions

Key inventions like the steam engine, power looms, and mechanized farming tools revolutionized production and transportation.

Industrial Rev- Pros

Economic growth, job creation, urbanization, technological advancements, improved transportation and communication

Industrial Rev- Cons

Poor working conditions, child labor, environmental pollution, overcrowding in cities, social inequality

WWI Causes- Militarism

Arms race among major powers; increased military spending and buildup of armies.

WWI Causes- Alliances

Complex web of alliances (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente) that drew multiple countries into conflict.

WWI Causes- Nationalism

Intense national pride and competition among nations, leading to tensions and conflicts.

WWI Causes- Imperialism

Competition for colonies and resources heightened rivalries among European powers.

WWI Causes- Assassination

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary triggered the war.

Trench Life

Harsh living conditions, disease, psychological stress, and constant threat of enemy attacks characterized life in the trenches.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended WWI; imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Russia’s Historic Problems

Political instability, economic hardship, and social unrest contributed to revolutionary sentiments.

1905 Events

The 1905 Revolution in Russia included strikes, uprisings, and the establishment of the Duma.

The Royal Family

The Romanov family ruled Russia; their reign ended with the Russian Revolution.

Rasputin

A mystic and advisor to the Romanovs, Rasputin's influence contributed to public discontent.

February Revolution

The 1917 revolution that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government.

Vladimir Lenin (October Revolution)

Leader of the Bolsheviks who seized power in October 1917, establishing a communist government.

Capitalism vs Communism

Capitalism emphasizes private ownership and free markets, while communism advocates for collective ownership and state control.

Russian Civil War

A conflict (1917-1922) between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and White Army (anti-Bolsheviks) following the revolution.

20’s-30’s Rise of the Dictators

Economic turmoil and social unrest led to the rise of authoritarian regimes in several countries.

Causes of WWII

Treaty of Versailles, economic instability, rise of totalitarian regimes, and expansionist policies.

German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

A 1939 agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union to not attack each other, allowing for the invasion of Poland.

Allied and Axis Powers

Allies: USA, UK, USSR, France; Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan.

Blitzkrieg

A military tactic used by Germany involving rapid, surprise attacks to overwhelm opponents.

Battle of Britain

A significant air campaign waged by Germany against the UK in 1940; the UK successfully defended against the Luftwaffe.

Operation Barbarossa

The code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, marking a crucial turning point in the war.

Island Hopping

A military strategy used by the Allies in the Pacific to capture strategic islands and move closer to Japan.

D-Day Invasion

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, which was a pivotal moment in liberating Europe from Nazi control.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against Jews, which intensified during the Nazi regime and contributed to the Holocaust.

The Holocaust

The systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazis during WWII.

The Manhattan Project

The secret U.S. project to develop atomic bombs during WWII.

Dropping of the Atomic Bombs

The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, leading to Japan's surrender.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe's economic recovery after WWII.

NATO vs Warsaw Pact

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was a military alliance of Western countries; the Warsaw Pact was a response by the Soviet Union and its allies.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers after WWII.

Mao’s Policies

Policies implemented by Mao Zedong aimed at transforming China into a socialist state, including the Great Leap Forward.

Cultural Revolution

A socio-political movement in China (1966-1976) initiated by Mao to enforce communism and remove capitalist influences.

Cold War Proxy Wars

Conflicts during the Cold War where the U.S. and USSR supported opposing sides, such as in Korea and Vietnam