Unit 8: 20th-Century Global Conflicts

Paris Peace Conference

Paris Peace Conference

Negotiations held in Paris, France in 1918 to end World War I, attended by representatives from 27 countries, but major decisions were made by the "Big Four" - Britain, France, the United States, and Italy.

Versailles Conference

A conference held in 1919 in Versailles, France, to negotiate the peace settlement after World War I.

Treaty of Versailles

The most important peace treaty that resulted from the Versailles Conference. It was signed on June 28, 1919, and imposed harsh penalties on Germany.

League of Nations

An international organization aimed at promoting peace and cooperation among nations. It was established during the Versailles Conference and had 42 member countries at its peak.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of Nazi Germany, responsible for initiating World War II and the Holocaust, committed suicide in 1945.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy, allied with Hitler in World War II, executed by Italian partisans in 1945.

Francisco Franco

Fascist dictator of Spain, led a military coup in 1936, ruled Spain until his death in 1975.

António de Oliveira Salazar

Fascist dictator of Portugal, ruled Portugal from 1932 to 1968, established a corporatist state.

Engelbert Dollfuss

Chancellor of Austria, established an authoritarian regime, assassinated in 1934 by Austrian Nazis.

Ion Antonescu

Fascist dictator of Romania, allied with Hitler in World War II, executed for war crimes in 1946.

Ante Pavelić

Leader of the Independent State of Croatia, allied with Hitler in World War II, responsible for the genocide of Serbs, Jews, and Roma.

Vidkun Quisling

Leader of the collaborationist government in Norway, allied with Hitler in World War II, executed for treason in 1945.

Ferenc Szálasi

Leader of the Arrow Cross Party in Hungary, allied with Hitler in World War II, executed for war crimes in 1946.

Konstantin Rodzaevsky

Leader of the Russian Fascist Party, allied with Hitler in World War II, executed for treason in 1946.

Treaty of Versailles

The treaty that ended World War I and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including massive reparations payments and territorial losses, leading to resentment and economic hardship in Germany and fueling the rise of the Nazi Party.

Rise of Fascism

A political ideology emphasizing authoritarianism, nationalism, and militarism, which was on the rise in Europe during the 1930s, with Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini and Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler being the most prominent fascist powers.

Appeasement

The policy pursued by many European leaders, including British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, in the years leading up to the war, giving in to some of Hitler's demands in the hope of avoiding another war, but only emboldening Hitler and allowing him to continue his aggressive expansionist policies.

Ghettos

Areas established by the Nazis to isolate Jews from the rest of society, lacking basic necessities, and where disease and starvation were rampant.

Concentration camps

Prisons designed by the Nazis to imprison and torture individuals deemed enemies of the state, including Jews, Romani people, homosexuals, and political dissidents.

Death camps

Camps established by the Nazis to systematically murder Jews and other targeted groups, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Sobibor, and Belzec.

Existentialism

Philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, rejects traditional values and beliefs, and promotes the idea of creating one's own meaning in life.

Beat Generation

Cultural movement that emerged in the 1950s in the US, rejected mainstream culture and materialism, embraced non-conformity, spontaneity, and creativity, and promoted the idea of living in the moment.

Feminism

Social and political movement that emerged in the 1960s in the US and Europe, focused on gender equality and women's rights, challenged traditional gender roles and stereotypes, and promoted the idea of women's empowerment and liberation.

Western Front

A series of trenches and fortifications stretching from the English Channel to the Swiss border during World War I, characterized by trench warfare and major battles such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun.

Eastern Front

A theater of war during World War I encompassing much of Eastern Europe and Russia, characterized by large-scale battles and maneuver warfare, with major battles including the Battle of Tannenberg and the Brusilov Offensive.

Armenian Genocide

The systematic extermination of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire during World War I, resulting in an estimated 1.5 million deaths through mass deportations, forced labor, and massacres.

Easter Rebellion

An armed insurrection led by Irish nationalists during Easter Week in 1916 seeking to establish an independent Irish Republic, ultimately suppressed by British forces and seen as a pivotal moment in Irish history.

Negotiating Peace

In 1918, negotiations began between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers to end World War I, resulting in the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919, imposing significant penalties on Germany and establishing the League of Nations, but criticized for its harsh treatment of Germany and contributing to the rise of Adolf Hitler.

Imperialism

The competition for colonies and territories among European powers led to tensions and rivalries.

Nationalism

The belief in the superiority of one's nation and culture led to a desire for independence and self-determination.

Militarism

The belief in the importance of military power and the glorification of war led to an arms race among European powers.

Alliances

The formation of military alliances between European powers created a complex web of alliances that made it difficult to contain conflicts.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The immediate trigger for the war.

Tanks

Used to cross trenches and other obstacles on the battlefield.

Poison Gas

Used to kill or injure soldiers in the trenches.

Airplanes

Used for reconnaissance and bombing during WWI.

Machine Guns

Used to defend trenches and to attack enemy positions.

Submarines

Used to attack enemy ships during WWI.

Trench Warfare

Soldiers dug trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire.

Telecommunications

Allowed for faster communication between commanders and soldiers on the front lines.

Medical Advancements

Use of antiseptics, blood transfusions, and the development of plastic surgery.

Bolshevik Revolution

A political revolution that took place in Russia in 1917. It was led by the Bolshevik Party, headed by Vladimir Lenin, and was a response to the social, economic, and political conditions that existed in Russia at the time. The revolution led to the establishment of the world's first socialist state.

Russian Revolution

A period of political and social upheaval in Russia from 1917 to 1923. It led to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of the Soviet Union. The revolution was marked by a series of events, including the February Revolution, October Revolution, and a civil war.

Russian Civil War

A multi-party war fought in Russia from 1918 to 1922. It was fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army. The war was caused by the political and social upheaval following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and had a devastating impact on Russia, with millions of people killed or displaced. It led to the establishment of the Soviet Union and the Communist International.

Extremism

Holding of extreme political or religious views that can lead to violence and terrorism.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory that advocates for government intervention in the economy to stabilize it during times of economic downturns.

Marxist Economics

An economic theory that advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a socialist economy.

Austrian Economics

An economic theory that advocates for free markets and limited government intervention in the economy.

Fascism

A political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and a belief in the superiority of one's own race or nation.

Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the state has total control over all aspects of society and the lives of its citizens.

Battle of Britain

This was fought between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the German Luftwaffe. It was a pivotal battle in the war, as it prevented Germany from gaining air superiority over Britain and forced Hitler to abandon his plans to invade the country.

Battle of Stalingrad

This was fought between the German Army and the Soviet Red Army. It was a turning point in the war, as it marked the first major defeat of the German Army and led to their eventual retreat from the Soviet Union.

Normandy landings

Also known as D-Day, were a series of amphibious assaults by Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy, France. The operation was a success and allowed the Allies to establish a foothold in Europe.

Battle of Berlin

The final major battle of the European Theatre. It was fought between the Soviet Red Army and the German Army and resulted in the capture of Berlin by the Soviets.

Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942)

A naval battle fought between the United States and Japan, resulting in a decisive victory for the US and a turning point in the war in the Pacific.

Guadalcanal Campaign (August 7, 1942 - February 9, 1943)

A series of land and naval battles fought between the US and Japan for control of the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23-26, 1944)

A naval battle fought between the US and Japan, resulting in a decisive victory for the US and the destruction of much of Japan's remaining naval power.

Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945)

A land and naval battle fought between the US and Japan for control of the island of Okinawa, resulting in a US victory but at a high cost in casualties.

Anti-Semitism

refers to hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews. It has a long history in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honour

This law prohibited marriages and sexual relations between Jews and Germans. It also stripped Jews of their German citizenship and made it illegal for them to fly the German flag.

The Reich Citizenship Law

This law defined who was considered a citizen of Germany. It excluded Jews from citizenship and made them "subjects" of the state. This meant that Jews had no rights and were subject to the whims of the Nazi regime.

Nuremberg Laws

A set of anti-Semitic laws introduced by the Nazi Party in Germany in 1935.

Kristallnacht

a pogrom against Jews throughout Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Holocaust

It was the systematic murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

Quantum Mechanics

The study of the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level, which revolutionized our understanding of physics.

Special and General Relativity

The theories developed by Albert Einstein that transformed our understanding of space, time, and gravity.

Nuclear Physics

The study of the nucleus of an atom and its interactions, leading to the creation of nuclear weapons and power.

Particle Physics

The study of subatomic particles, such as protons and electrons, leading to the development of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Cosmology

The study of the universe as a whole, leading to the development of the Big Bang theory, which explains the origin and evolution of the universe.

The Lost Generation

refers to the group of people who came of age during World War I and were disillusioned by the war's impact on society and culture.