World history

Why is it appropriate to label World War I a fratricidal war?

World War I is considered a fratricidal war because it was essentially a European civil war with global consequences. It resulted in immense destruction and self-destruction of European civilization, weakening its dominance on the global stage.

Why is the most recent time period (1900 – present) much shorter than the previous five time periods?

The 20th century witnessed rapid and transformative changes, including world wars, the Great Depression, decolonization, technological advancements, and globalization, which significantly altered world history in a short span of time.

Some historians end the sixth time period in 1991, 2001, or 2008? Explain which year should mark the start of the seventh time period.

Historians debate whether 1991 (fall of the Soviet Union), 2001 (9/11 attacks), or 2008 (global financial crisis) should mark the transition to a new period. The choice depends on which global event is considered the most transformative.

List the six distinguishing features, events, or processes that occurred in the sixth time period.

• World War I

• Russian Revolution and rise of communism

• The Great Depression

• World War II and the Holocaust

• Cold War and decolonization

• Globalization and technological revolutions

Explain the meaning of Anthropocene.

The Anthropocene is the proposed geological epoch in which human activity has significantly impacted the Earth's climate, ecosystems, and geology.

Explain in what ways globalization has continued as a pattern across time periods and in what ways it represents change across time periods.

Continuities over Time: Long-distance trade, cultural exchanges, spread of technology.

Changes over Time: Digital communication, multinational corporations, financial interconnectedness.

Which events lasted the longest? Which events continue into 2017?

The Cold War (1946–1991)

European Union expansion, globalization, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Explain how globalization has occurred.

Globalization has expanded through trade networks, digital communication, international organizations, and economic interdependence.

Write a statement about the patterns in the sixth time period.

 a. Environment: Industrialization and climate change.
b. Cultures: Spread of Western culture and media.
c. State Building: Decolonization and rise of new nations.
d. Economies: Economic interdependence and financial crises.
e. Social Structure: Human rights movements and shifts in gender roles.

Define “total war.”

A war that involves the complete mobilization of a nation’s resources and affects civilians as much as soldiers.

Since the 1500s, a feature of European political life was the rivalry among the competing states. What two events in the last half of the nineteenth century intensified European rivalry?

The unification of Germany (1871) and the Scramble for Africa.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, aimed at countering the influence of the Triple Entente.

Triple Entente

A military alliance formed in 1907 between France, Russia, and Britain, aimed at countering the threat posed by the Triple Alliance.

What aspects of Europe’s nineteenth-century history contributed to the First World War?

Nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliances.

What is nationalism?

A strong identification with one’s nation, often linked to the desire for self-governance and superiority over others.It can lead to conflicts when national interests clash or when ethnic groups seek independence.

How does war unify a nation?

Creates a common enemy, fosters national pride, and mobilizes society

How did the colonies of Europe participate in WWI?

Provided soldiers, laborers, and resources for European powers. Colonial troops fought alongside European armies, and colonies supplied essential materials and manpower.

What impact did World War I have on women?

Expanded workforce roles, suffrage movements, and changed gender norms.

In what ways did World War I mark new departures in the history of the twentieth century?

Rise of totalitarianism, decline of European dominance, creation of new states.

States created from the Austro-Hungarian Empire:

Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia.

States created from the Russian Empire:

Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland.

States created from the Ottoman Empire:

Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Palestine

Why did the French government feel the need to encourage women to have children after WWI?

To rebuild the population lost in the war.

Explain the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles that established conditions leading to WWII.

Harsh reparations, territorial losses for Germany, military restrictions, and German resentment.

Which parts of the Ottoman Empire did the British or French govern as part of the League of Nations Mandate System?

Britain: Palestine, Iraq. France: Syria, Lebanon.

Explain the causes of the Armenian Genocide.

Ottoman fears of Armenian collaboration with Russia led to mass deportations and killings.

How were Latin American countries involved in WWI and its aftermath

Supplied raw materials and faced economic disruptions

How did Great Britain gain India’s support during WWI?

Promised eventual self-government.

In what way did the Versailles Treaty strengthen Japan?u

Gained German territories in the Pacific and economic influence in China.

Why did World War I transform the United States from a debtor to a creditor nation?

Supplied goods and loans to Allied powers, boosting its economy.

How did Woodrow Wilson believe “Collective Security” would maintain peace in the post-WWI era?

Through the League of Nations, where nations would unite to prevent aggression.

Why did the League of Nations fail?

Lacked enforcement power, the U.S. did not join, and it failed to prevent WWII.

Explain why overproduction is one cause of the Great Depression.

Overproduction led to an oversupply of goods, which caused prices to drop. Factories and farms produced more than people could afford to buy, leading to economic downturns and job losses.

What conditions and hardships did the Great Depression create?

Massive unemployment, bank failures, homelessness, poverty, reduced global trade, and food shortages.

Explain how the United States responded to the effects of the Great Depression.

The U.S. implemented the New Deal under Franklin D. Roosevelt, which included public work programs, financial regulations, and social security programs.

Explain why the economic collapse of the West caused political instability and regime change in Latin America.

Economic dependence on Western markets led to severe downturns, which fueled social unrest and the rise of authoritarian regimes that promised economic stability.

Explain what the Brazilian dictator Vargas hoped to achieve with the policy of “import substitution.”

He aimed to reduce dependency on foreign imports by developing domestic industries to produce goods that were previously imported.

What is democratic socialism and why was it energized in Britain, France, and Scandinavia?

Democratic socialism advocates for government intervention in the economy while maintaining political democracy. It gained popularity as a way to prevent economic collapses and ensure social welfare.

What is Keynesian economic policy?

A theory by John Maynard Keynes that promotes increased government spending and lower taxes during economic downturns to stimulate demand and employment.

What are the positive and negative outcomes of implementing Keynesian economic policy?

Positive: Economic recovery, job creation, improved infrastructure.

Negative: Increased national debt, inflation, and potential dependency on government intervention.

Describe some examples of how the United States implemented Keynesian economic policies in the New Deal.

Public works projects (WPA), Social Security, banking regulations, and unemployment benefits.

Explain how Roosevelt permanently altered the relationship between the federal government, the private economy, and the individual citizen.

The federal government took a more active role in regulating the economy and providing social safety nets, establishing long-term welfare programs.

Describe the features of fascism.

Extreme nationalism, militarism, dictatorship, anti-democratic policies, suppression of opposition, glorification of war.

List the factors that led to the rise of fascism in Italy.

Economic instability, fear of communism, dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles, weak democratic governments.

In what ways did fascism change Italy?

Established a dictatorship under Mussolini, suppressed political opposition, controlled the economy, and promoted aggressive nationalism.

In what ways did fascism challenge the ideas and practices of European liberalism and democracy?

Rejected individual freedoms, political plurality, and democratic governance in favor of totalitarian rule.

List some of the economic challenges that faced Germany before Hitler rose to power.

Hyperinflation, high unemployment, Treaty of Versailles reparations, Great Depression.

Explain the steps taken by Adolf Hitler to rise to power and control Germany.

Used propaganda, exploited economic distress, suppressed opposition, passed the Enabling Act, and eliminated political rivals.

What evidence does the text provide to suggest that Hitler’s policies brought Germany out of the depression?

Massive government spending on infrastructure and military buildup reduced unemployment and stimulated industrial growth

What factors contributed to the support for the Nazi Party in Germany?

Economic crisis, nationalist sentiment, anti-communism, and Hitler’s promises of restoring German power.

What actions were taken against Jewish communities?

Nuremberg Laws (stripped Jews of citizenship), Kristallnacht (violent attacks on Jewish businesses), forced deportations, and the Holocaust.

Explain the Nazi attitudes toward gender and race.

Promoted Aryan racial superiority, restricted women to domestic roles, and suppressed minority groups.

List the sources of political, economic, and social tensions in the early twentieth century that led to political instability in Japan.

Economic recession, Western influence, military dissatisfaction, and nationalism.

How did Japan’s experience during the 1920s and 1930s resemble that of Germany, and how did it differ?

Similarities: Economic crisis, rise of militarism, expansionist policies.

Differences: Japan maintained an emperor, avoided mass genocide, and did not adopt full-scale fascism.

What was the purpose of the Cherry Blossom Society?

A nationalist group that promoted military expansion and opposed democracy.

How did Japanese public life change in the 1930s?

Increased censorship, military influence in government, and aggressive foreign policy.

In what ways was Japanese fascism less repressive than its Italian and German counterparts?

Maintained more traditional political structures and was less focused on racial persecution.

How did Japan’s invasion of China begin the Pacific theater of the war?

The invasion of Manchuria (1931) and the full-scale war against China (1937) escalated tensions.

What was the immediate cause of Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor?

U.S. oil embargo and tensions over Japanese expansion.

Why did Japan see itself as threatened by Western powers? How does this reflect their earlier history?

Felt encircled by Western colonial powers, similar to its experiences during the late 19th century.

Where did Japan expand its empire?

China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands.

What decision did Japan’s leaders feel inclined to make?

Attack Western colonies and the U.S. to secure resources.

List several acts of aggression taken by Nazi Germany at the onset of WWII.

Remilitarization of the Rhineland, annexation of Austria, invasion of Poland. These actions violated the Treaty of Versailles and demonstrated Germany's expansionist ambitions.

Compare the beginnings of WWII in Asia and WWII in Europe.

Asia: Japan sought territorial expansion for resources.

Europe: Hitler aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and expand Germany.

List new military technology and tactics that were employed in World War II.

Blitzkrieg, aircraft carriers, radar, atomic bombs. These innovations transformed warfare, emphasizing speed and coordination in attacks.

How did the conduct and methods of WWII differ from WWI?

More mobile warfare, targeting of civilians, use of atomic weapons.

What did the Soviet Union experience at the hands of Nazi Germany?

Mass atrocities, destruction, and millions of casualties.

Explain how WWII demonstrated a new dimension of total war.

Entire economies were mobilized, and civilian populations were directly targeted.

Describe the short and long-term outcomes of the Hiroshima bombings.

Short-term: Massive destruction, thousands killed instantly.

Long-term: Radiation sickness, geopolitical tensions leading to the Cold War.

Explain how World War II led to Europe’s loss of control over its colonies in Africa and Asia.

The war weakened European powers economically and militarily, making it difficult to maintain control over colonies. Additionally, many colonial troops fought in the war, increasing demands for independence.

Describe the effect of World War II on the role of women in each group/region.

Nazis: Women were expected to focus on motherhood, but total war forced many into factories.

Japan: Women were encouraged to serve the war effort but remained in traditional roles.

US & UK: Women took on jobs in factories and military support roles; many continued working after the war.

USSR: Women served in combat roles and industries, significantly expanding their societal contributions.

Analyze the effects of World War II

Social:

• Millions displaced, Holocaust survivors, civil rights movements gained momentum.

Political:

• The Cold War began, the UN was formed, European decolonization accelerated.

Economic:

• Europe required reconstruction, the US economy boomed, Japan and Germany received aid to rebuild.

What mass atrocities were committed during the Second World War?

The Holocaust, the Rape of Nanjing, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and mass civilian bombings in Europe and Japan.

How did Jewish migration after the Holocaust result in conflict in the Middle East?

Many Holocaust survivors sought refuge in Palestine, leading to tensions between Jewish immigrants and Arab residents, culminating in the establishment of Israel and subsequent conflicts.

What was the purpose of the formation of the United Nations?

To prevent future conflicts through diplomacy, promote human rights, and support economic and social development.

Compare U.S. foreign policy after World War I and after World War II.

After WWI: Isolationist, did not join the League of Nations.

After WWII: Active global role, led the formation of NATO and the UN, initiated the Marshall Plan.

Analyze the causes of the rapid European recovery after World War II.

Marshall Plan: U.S. financial aid helped rebuild economies.

Economic Reforms: Countries embraced mixed economies with government regulation.

European Cooperation: Nations formed the European Economic Community (EEC), leading to economic integration.

Explain why the European Economic Community is a change in the history of the European continent.

It marked the first significant step toward European unification, reducing the likelihood of future wars through economic ties.

Explain why NATO was originally founded.

To provide collective defense against Soviet aggression during the Cold War.

Compare the American-sponsored post-World War II rebuilding programs in Japan to those in Europe

Japan: U.S. imposed democratic reforms, land redistribution, and economic restructuring, leading to rapid industrial growth.

Europe: The Marshall Plan provided financial aid, allowing for economic recovery and the rebuilding of infrastructure.