AP World History Study Guide: World Wars, Depression, and Cold War

Flashcards covering key concepts related to World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, the Cold War, and the rise of communism.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Nationalism

Pride and devotion to one's nation, often leading to competition and conflict with other nations.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Alliances

Agreements between nations to provide mutual support in case of conflict, such as those formed before WWI.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium before turning to fight Russia.

Trench warfare

A type of combat in which soldiers dug trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire, leading to stalemates.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 treaty that officially ended WWI, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s, starting after the U.S. stock market crash.

Fascism

A political ideology that emphasizes authoritarian nationalism, characterized by dictatorial power and forcible suppression of opposition.

Appeasement

The diplomatic policy of making concessions to an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict, notably used by Britain and France before WWII.

Holocaust

The genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime during World War II.

Cold War

The state of political hostility and military tension between the USA and the USSR and their respective allies after WWII.

Iron Curtain

A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between communist and non-communist countries in Europe.

Nuremberg Trials

Court proceedings held after WWII to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes.

Glasnost

A policy initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s that called for increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities.

Perestroika

An economic policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, particularly prominent after WWII.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through aggressive colonization, military force, economic dominance, or other means. This often involves controlling foreign territories and exploiting their resources and populations.

Nationalism

Pride and devotion to one's nation, rooted in shared history, culture, and language. Nationalism often fosters a sense of unity among citizens but can also lead to competition, conflict, and xenophobia towards other nations.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war, often resulting in an arms race and glorification of military power. This ideology emphasizes readiness for conflict as a means to solve international disputes.

Alliances

Formal agreements between nations to provide mutual support in military conflicts. These treaties were a crucial aspect of global politics, especially before WWI, as they created binding commitments that could escalate regional disputes into larger wars.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategic military plan developed before WWI, designed to quickly incapacitate France by invading through Belgium and then redirect forces to confront Russia. The plan aimed for a fast victory but ultimately led to prolonged trench warfare.

Trench warfare

A type of combat that emerged during WWI, characterized by soldiers digging extensive networks of trenches for protection against enemy fire. This method resulted in a static form of warfare, creating brutal living conditions and prolonged stalemates.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 treaty that officially ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany. The treaty aimed to prevent future conflicts but fueled resentment and economic hardship in Germany.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that occurred during the 1930s, caused by various factors including the U.S. stock market crash of 1929. It led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and drastic changes in economies and political systems across the globe.

Fascism

A political ideology that emphasizes authoritarian nationalism, dictatorial power, and the forcible suppression of opposition. It promotes the state above individual interests, often manifesting in economic control, militarization, and cultural exclusivity.

Appeasement

The diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power, aimed at avoiding conflict. This strategy was notably employed by Britain and France before WWII, which ultimately failed to prevent the rise of Nazi Germany.

Holocaust

The systematic genocide of six million Jews, along with millions of others including Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents, orchestrated by the Nazi regime during World War II. It remains one of history's most horrific atrocities.

Cold War

The state of political hostility and military tension that existed between the USA and the USSR, along with their respective allies, from the end of WWII until the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It involved ideological confrontations, proxy wars, and an arms race.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the political, military, and ideological barrier that separated the Eastern bloc (communist countries) and the Western bloc (democratic countries) in Europe, particularly during the Cold War.

Nuremberg Trials

A series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, including crimes against humanity. The trials set precedents for international law and accountability.

Glasnost

A policy initiated by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s that promoted increased openness, transparency, and freedom of information within the government and society, ultimately leading to significant political reform.

Perestroika

An ambitious economic policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy through decentralization, introducing market-like reforms, and increasing productivity, which contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, particularly prominent after World War II. It involved a variety of strategies, including negotiation, political movement, and armed conflict, leading to the emergence of new nations.