AP Euro 4.2/4.3/4.4

Russian Revolution

A series of events in 1917, culminating in the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of the Soviet government.

Soviets

Councils formed by workers and soldiers during the Russian Revolution, representing the interests of the working class and peasants.

Provisional Government

Established after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917, intended to govern Russia until a constituent assembly could be elected.

Bolshevik Revolution

Also known as the October Revolution, occurred in 1917 when the Bolshevik Party, led by Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government.

Russian Civil War

A multi-party conflict following the Bolshevik Revolution, primarily fought between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks).

Lenin

A revolutionary leader who played a significant role in the Bolshevik Revolution and established the Soviet Union, implementing radical Marxist-Leninist policies.

Stalin

The leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, known for his totalitarian rule, rapid industrialization, and severe political repression.

New Economic Policy (NEP)

A set of reforms introduced by Lenin in 1921, allowing some private enterprise and market mechanisms to revive the post-civil war economy.

Liquidation of the Kulaks

A campaign initiated by Stalin in the late 1920s to eliminate the class of wealthy peasant farmers (kulaks) through repression, deportation, and execution.

Purges

The Great Purge (1936-1938) was a campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union targeting perceived enemies of the state, resulting in widespread executions and imprisonment.

Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor)

A catastrophic famine in Soviet Ukraine, resulting from the policies of collectivization and grain requisitioning, leading to millions of deaths.

Fascism

A far-right authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, centralized control of private enterprise, and suppression of opposition.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or viewpoint.

Mussolini

The Italian dictator and founder of Fascism, ruling Italy from 1922 until his execution in 1945.

Hitler

The leader of the Nazi Party and Chancellor of Germany, orchestrating the rise of fascism in Germany and leading the country during World War II.

Francisco Franco

The military dictator of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975, known for his authoritarian regime following the Spanish Civil War.

Spanish Civil War

A conflict between Republican forces and Nationalists led by Franco, resulting in a Nationalist victory and establishment of a fascist regime.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, often involving repression and lack of democratic processes.

Overproduction

A surplus of goods produced when supply exceeds demand, often leading to economic downturns and resource wastage.

1929 Stock Market Crash

A major global economic crisis that marked the beginning of the Great Depression, characterized by a sharp fall in stock prices.

Great Depression

A worldwide economic downturn in the 1930s, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and significant changes in economic policies.

Extremist Movements

Political or social movements that advocate for radical changes or actions typically outside the mainstream ideology.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program initiated in 1948 for economic assistance to European countries to help rebuild their economies after World War II.

Economic Miracle

A period of exceptionally strong economic growth, particularly in Western Europe and Japan after World War II.

Welfare Programs

Government initiatives aimed at providing financial aid and support to individuals and families in need.

Soviet bloc

The group of communist states led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, including Eastern European nations.

Economic Central Planning

An economic system where the government regulates and controls economic activity, as seen in communist states.

Nikita Khrushchev

The leader of the Soviet Union during the 1950s and early 1960s, known for his de-Stalinization efforts and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

De-Stalinization

The policy initiated by Khrushchev aimed at dismantling the oppressive policies and cult of personality associated with Joseph Stalin.

Mikhail Gorbachev

The last leader of the Soviet Union, known for implementing reforms such as Perestroika and Glasnost, which led to the dissolution of the USSR.

Perestroika

A policy of economic reform adopted in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, aimed at restructuring the economy.

Glasnost

A policy introduced by Gorbachev that promoted transparency and greater freedom of information in the Soviet Union.

Balkan genocide

The ethnic cleansing and mass killings during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, particularly against Bosniaks and Croats.

Existentialism

A philosophical movement that centers on individual existence, freedom, and choice, often focusing on the inherent meaninglessness of life.

Postmodernism

A broad intellectual and artistic movement characterized by skepticism toward grand narratives and ideologies, often questioning established norms.

Industrialized warfare

Combat conducted with advanced technologies and mass production capabilities, significantly increasing the scale and lethality of conflicts.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Nuclear Proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons and technology to nations that do not already possess them.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which the means of production are owned communally.

Second Vatican Council (Vatican II)

An ecumenical council of the Catholic Church convened from 1962 to 1965 to address relations between the Church and the modern world.

Americanization

The process by which non-American individuals or communities adopt American culture and lifestyle.

'Lost Generation'

A group of American writers and intellectuals disillusioned by the aftermath of World War I, often expressing themes of alienation.

Mass Production

The manufacturing of large quantities of standardized products efficiently, often using assembly line techniques.

Food Technology

The study of food production, preservation, and safety applications, enhancing food quality, flavor, and nutritional value.

Consumer Culture

A social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, involving trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

Feminism

A social and political movement advocating for women's rights and gender equality in various societal aspects.

Baby Boom

The significant increase in birth rates following World War II, particularly in the United States and Canada.

Green Parties

Political organizations that emphasize environmental issues, social justice, and grassroots democracy.

Civil Rights movements

A series of social movements aimed at combating racial discrimination and promoting equal rights for marginalized groups.

Student Revolts 1968

Protests and demonstrations across the globe, often against war, materialism, and traditional authority.

Bourgeois materialism

A worldview and lifestyle characterized by an emphasis on material wealth and consumerism associated with the middle class.

Guest Workers

Foreign laborers permitted to reside and work temporarily in a host country, often to meet labor demands.

Nationalist Political Parties

Political groups that prioritize the interests and identity of a specific nation or ethnic group, frequently advocating for sovereignty and cultural preservation.