World History Final (Part 1 of 4)

Causes of WW1

A complex interplay of nationalism, militarism, imperialism, and alliance systems that increased tensions leading to the outbreak of war in 1914.

Motivations for Japanese Imperialism

Economic expansion, national pride, and geopolitical strategy.

Significance of WWI propaganda.

Played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, motivating enlistment, and promoting wartime nationalism.

Results of WWI/Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, altering the map of Europe, and setting the stage for future conflicts. Also, put all the blame on Germany when in reality, Austria-Hungary started it.

Causes of WWII

The causes of World War II included unresolved issues from World War I, economic instability due to the Great Depression, aggressive expansion by totalitarian regimes, and failures of the League of Nations. Hitler was rejected by his own country, and was upset about the unfair punishment to Germany.

Causes of the Russian Revolution

Failure of communism and abuse of power from the Czar.

Effects of the Russian Revolution on WWI

The Russian Revolution fundamentally altered the trajectory of World War I by effectively ending the Eastern Front. This allowed Germany to shift nearly a million troops to the Western Front for a massive 1918 offensive. It also shifted the ideological nature of the war into a global battle between communism and capitalism.

How Hitler rose to and maintained power

Adolf Hitler rose to power by exploiting Germany's post-WWI economic ruin and political instability through populist propaganda and mass rallies. Appointed Chancellor in 1933, he immediately dismantled democratic institutions, eliminated political opposition through terror and violence, and consolidated dictatorial control as the Führer

How Mussolini rose to and maintained power

Benito Mussolini rose to power by exploiting post-WWI economic instability and the fear of communism. Through paramilitary violence and the 1922 "March on Rome," he intimidated the Italian king into appointing him Prime Minister. He maintained power by dismantling democratic institutions, establishing a secret police, and building a cult of personality.

Examples of appeasement in the interwar years

Britain and France gave Hitler the Rhineland, The Anschluss, when Germany Annexed Austria. The Allied forces didn’t want Germany to attack, so they just gave Germany what they wanted so they didn’t attack.

Define fascism

A far-right, authoritarian, and ultra-nationalist political ideology that prioritizes the perceived interest, power, and glory of the nation or race above individual rights.

Atomic bombing of Japan in WWII

The United States detonated two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the end of the second World War after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, leading to Japan’s surrender.

Nuremberg laws

The Nuremberg Laws were antisemitic and racist statutes enacted by Nazi Germany in September 1935. They stripped German Jews of their citizenship, banned marriages and sexual relations between Jews and citizens of German blood, and established the legal definitions that categorized individuals by their race.

Define genocide

Genocide is the deliberate, systematic destruction—in whole or in part—of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The term was coined in 1944 by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin and later established as an international crime by the UN in 1948.