20th Century (1900-present)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the major political, social, economic, and nationalist movements of the 20th century as detailed in the Period 4 Cram Packet.

McWorld

A term describing the 20th-century spread and domination of American culture, consumerism, and values across the globe.

Holocaust

A major global event that led to an increase in Zionism and the development of the concept of "crimes against humanity."

The Cold War

The globalization of diplomacy and conflict where countries were aligned with either the "east" (Soviets - Communism) or the "west" (United States - Capitalism).

League of Nations

An international organization formed after World War I with the primary goal of maintaining world peace.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military and political alliance between European nations and America formed against the Soviet Union.

ASEAN

A free trade zone established among nations in Southeast Asia.

Nonaligned Movement

Consists of $110$ developing nations that seek to cooperate on political, economic, and cultural issues without formally aligning with major power blocs.

Amnesty International

An international organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights.

Blitzkrieg

The "lightning war" strategy used by Hitler's armies that caused the French military to fold within a few days during World War II.

Charles de Gaulle

The French leader who took control as president and restructured the government in response to the brutality and inability to fight the war in Algeria.

Pan-African movement

A movement started by leaders like Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, though the primary focus of nationalism remained on individual colony independence.

Apartheid

A system in South Africa representing an attempt by European minorities to keep native populations in subservient and separate roles.

Ahisma

A virtue preached by Mohandas K. Gandhi meaning nonviolence.

Satyagraha

A political and spiritual philosophy developed by Gandhi defined as the "search for truth."

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

The leader of the Muslim League who clashed with Jawaharlal Nehru, eventually leading to the partition of India into two states.

Dienbienphu

A colonial stronghold where Ho Chi Minh's Communist forces defeated the French in $1954$, leading to the French exit from Indochina.

PRI

The Institutional Revolutionary Party; an umbrella political party that tightly controlled Mexican politics from the stabilization of the revolution until the $1990s$.

The "Brazilian Solution"

A model characterized by dictatorship, violent repression, and government-promoted industrialization following the $1964$ coup in Brazil.

Sandinistas

Socialist revolutionaries who led a rebellion against the Nicaraguan dictator in $1979$, later opposed by the United States.

The Great Depression

A global economic crisis in the $1930s$ resulting in bank closures, international trade drops, and a production decrease of $30\%$ by $1932$.

Little Tigers

A term referring to the rapidly growing economies of Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore in the Pacific Rim.

Glass ceiling

A persisting barrier that restricted women's access to top professional jobs and higher education despite the progress made by the feminist movement by the $1970s$.

Demographic Transition Theory

A theory used to describe and analyze the changes in birthrates and death rates within populations.

Dialectical materialism

The Marxist concept developed by Marx and Engels focusing on class conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the urban proletariat.

Vanguard of elite

Lenin's concept of a small cadre of committed intellectual leaders who could force a Communist revolution in countries exploited by capitalists.

European Union

A political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe, aimed at fostering economic cooperation and political stability.

Russian Revolution of 1905

A wave of mass political and social unrest in the Russian Empire that included worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies, ultimately leading to limited reforms by Tsar Nicholas II. This revolution was a response to growing discontent with the autocratic regime and the harsh conditions faced by workers and peasants.

Chinese Revolution (end of Qing)

A period of significant upheaval that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with imperial rule and calls for modernization.

Russian Revolution (1917)

A pair of revolutions in 1917 that dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the rise of the Soviet Union, marked by the February Revolution and the October Revolution.

Treaty of Versailles

A peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, imposing significant territorial, military, and economic restrictions on Germany, and establishing the League of Nations to promote global cooperation.

Japanese Invasion of China

A series of military conflicts beginning in 1937, where Japan invaded China, leading to widespread destruction and significant loss of life, particularly exemplified by events like the Nanjing Massacre.

Pearl Harbor

A surprise military attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, targeting the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which led to the United States' entry into World War II.

Founding of United Nations

An international organization established in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries, replacing the League of Nations.

Creation of Israel

The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, following a United Nations plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, leading to conflict and longstanding tensions in the region.

Chinese Communist Revolution

The revolution that led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, marked by a prolonged civil war between the Communist Party and the Nationalist government, resulting in significant social and political changes.

Korean War

A conflict that started in 1950 between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces led by the United States, marking a significant escalation in the Cold War.

Algerian war of Independance

A conflict from 1954 to 1962 between Algeria and France, resulting in Algeria gaining independence after years of violent struggle and significant loss of life.

Bandung Conference

A 1955 meeting of Asian and African states aimed at promoting economic and cultural cooperation and opposing colonialism and neocolonialism.

Ghana Gains Independance

Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957, becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, which inspired other African nations in their struggles for freedom.

Cuban Revolution

A successful armed revolt led by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the government of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, resulting in the establishment of a socialist state in Cuba in 1959.

Year of Africa

The Year of Africa refers to 1960, when 17 African nations gained independence from colonial rule, marking a significant turning point in the continent's decolonization efforts.

U.S. escalation in Vietnam

The U.S. escalation in Vietnam refers to the increased military involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War during the 1960s, characterized by the deployment of ground troops and extensive air support to combat the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.

Bangladesh Independance

Bangladesh Independence refers to the successful war for independence in 1971 against Pakistan, leading to the establishment of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.

Oil Crisis

The Oil Crisis refers to a series of events in the 1970s, particularly the 1973 oil embargo, which led to a significant increase in oil prices, fuel shortages, and economic turmoil in many countries, highlighting the vulnerability of global energy dependence.

Iranian Revolution

The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, was a series of events in 1979 that resulted in the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.

Solidarity Movement in Poland

The Solidarity Movement in Poland was a social and political movement in the 1980s that emerged as a trade union, advocating for workers' rights and civil liberties, ultimately leading to the end of communist rule in Poland.

Fall of Berlin Wall

The Fall of the Berlin Wall occurred on November 9, 1989, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the division of East and West Germany. It marked a pivotal moment in the broader struggle for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe.

Dissolution of USSR

The Dissolution of the USSR was the process that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, resulting in the independence of its republics and the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe.

End of Apartheid

The End of Apartheid refers to the process of dismantling the institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, culminating in the early 1990s. This movement ultimately led to the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president in 1994.

Global Financial Crisis

The Global Financial Crisis refers to the severe worldwide economic crisis that occurred in 2007-2008, triggered by the collapse of housing markets and the failure of financial institutions. This crisis led to significant economic downturns in many countries and prompted widespread government interventions.

Arab Spring

The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests and uprisings that spread across the Arab world beginning in late 2010. It sought to end authoritarian regimes, promote democratic reforms, and address socio-economic issues, leading to significant political changes in several countries.