Topic 14 and 15 World History Short Answer and Essay Questions

How was Romanticism a reaction to the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment focused entirely on reason, science, and logic. Romanticism reacted against the Enlightenment by emphasizing emotion, individuality, nature, and imagination. Romantics felt the Enlightenment was too cold and ignored the human spirit.

Describe the process of German Unification.

: It was led by Otto von Bismarck (Prime Minister of Prussia) using Realpolitik (practical, cutthroat politics). He purposefully provoked three wars (against Denmark, Austria, and France) to spark German nationalism, ultimately uniting the independent German states under Prussian leadership in 1871.

Explain the Monroe Doctrine (1823).

A U.S. policy declared by President James Monroe stating that the Americas were off-limits to any further European colonization. It warned Europe that any attempt to interfere in the Western Hemisphere would be seen as a direct threat to the U.S.

How did the rule of Caudillos prevent unification in Latin America?

Caudillos were military dictators who seized power after Latin American countries gained independence. They cared more about keeping their own regional power and wealth than cooperating with others. Their constant fighting over borders and resources kept Latin America divided into separate, unstable nations.

List four (4) inventors during the First Industrial Revolution and their inventions.

1. James Hargreaves: Spinning Jenny (spun multiple threads at once) 2. James Watt: Improved Steam Engine (powered factories and trains) 3. Edmund Cartwright: Power Loom (mechanized weaving) 4. Eli Whitney: Cotton Gin (separated seeds from cotton quickly)

Explain three (3) ways women were affected by industrialization and mass society.

1. Lower-class women entered the factory workforce in large numbers but were paid significantly less than men. 2. Middle-class women became strictly confined to the "domestic sphere" (expected to stay home and raise children). 3. The shift sparked the feminist movement, as women began demanding suffrage (the right to vote) and equal rights.

Describe three (3) ways (and places) Democracy expanded in Western Europe during the late 19th Century.

1. Great Britain: Passed Reform Acts that expanded the right to vote to working-class men. 2. France: Established the Third Republic, creating a constitution and a new parliament. 3. General Western Europe: The creation of mass political parties and the expansion of public education, which was designed to create informed voters.

How did international rivalries push Europe closer to war?

Intense competition for overseas colonies (Imperialism), massive arms races (Militarism), and aggressive nationalism created high tension. To protect themselves, countries formed rigid, secret alliances (like the Triple Entente). This meant a small conflict between two nations could easily drag the whole continent into a massive war.

Explain three (3) changes in Japanese cultural and social life during the Meiji Restoration.

1. They abolished the old feudal system and stripped the samurai class of their special privileges. 2. They rapidly adopted Western technology, industrial methods, and military organization. 3. They established a universal public education system based on Western models, though they kept traditional Japanese values of loyalty to the Emperor.

What sparked the "Springtime of Peoples" across Europe in 1848?(ESSAY QUESTION- Explain the causes and effects of the Revolutions of 1848. Make sure to include the “why” for the effects.)

• Political Frustration: People were tired of absolute monarchs and wanted liberalism (more rights/voting) and nationalism (independence for ethnic groups).

• Economic Misery: The "Hungry Forties"—a series of bad harvests (like the Irish Potato Famine) led to food shortages and high prices.

• Social Unrest: The working class was suffering in poor industrial conditions and wanted better lives.

What were the effects of 1848, and why did they happen that way?

• Short-term Failure: Most revolutions were crushed, and old monarchs returned to power. Why? Because the revolutionaries were divided—the middle-class liberals wanted voting rights, but the working-class radicals wanted bread and jobs. They couldn't agree, so the monarchs took advantage.

• Long-term Success: Even though they "failed" at first, these revolts forced leaders to realize they couldn't rule by force forever. Why? To prevent another revolution, governments eventually granted constitutions and paved the way for the unification of Germany and Italy.

Why did the Industrial Revolution start in Great Britain specifically? (Physical Factors)-ESSAY QUESTION-Explain the reasons why the Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain.

• Natural Resources: Britain was sitting on a "gold mine" of coal (to power steam engines) and iron ore (to build machines).

• Geography: As an island, Britain had plenty of natural harbors and navigable rivers. This made it incredibly cheap and easy to move raw materials and finished goods everywhere.

What social and economic factors helped Britain lead the way?

• The Enclosure Movement: New farming laws pushed peasants off the land and into the cities, creating a huge labor force for the new factories.

• Capital & Banking: Britain had a stable government and a strong banking system. Wealthy investors had the "capital" (extra cash) to fund risky new inventions.

• Colonial Empire: Britain's colonies provided a steady supply of raw materials (like cotton) and a guaranteed market of people to buy the finished products.

What actually happened during the Meiji Restoration?-ESSAY QUESTION- Explain the Meiji Restoration – what happened and why it happened.

• End of Feudalism: The Tokugawa Shogunate (military rule) was overthrown, and the Emperor Meiji was "restored" to power.

• Rapid Westernization: Japan sent scouts around the world to copy the best bits of Western culture: the British Navy, the Prussian Army, and American business models.

• Industrialization: Japan built railroads, telegraph lines, and factories in just a few decades—a process that took Europe a century.

Why did Japan suddenly decide to change everything?

• The "Black Ships" Threat: In 1853, U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay with heavy cannons. Japan realized they were technologically centuries behind.

• Survival Instinct: Japan saw what happened to China (which was being carved up by European powers) and realized they had a choice: modernize or be colonized. They chose to become a world power themselves to ensure their independence.