SPEED REVIEW

AP® World History: Modern Speed Review Notes

Unit 1: Global Tapestry (1200-1450)

Exam Weight: 8-10%
This unit focuses on the diverse peoples and cultures across six different AP regions from 1200 to 1450.

Key Regions and Concepts:

East Asia:
  - Song China: Known for innovations in agriculture and commerce.
  - Confucianism: An ethical and philosophical system emphasizing moral integrity and social harmony.
  - Buddhism: A spiritual practice aimed at achieving enlightenment.
  - Civil Service Exam: A rigorous examination system for selecting candidates for state bureaucracy based on Confucian texts.
  - Champa Rice: Fast-maturing rice variety from Vietnam, significantly boosting agricultural production in China.
  - Filial Piety: A virtue of respect for one’s parents and ancestors, central to Confucian thought.
  - Grand Canal: A significant waterway that facilitated trade and transport across China.
Dar al-Islam:
  - Fall of the Abbasid Caliphate: A significant decline leading to fragmentation and regional powers emerging.
  - House of Wisdom: A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age in Baghdad, where scholars studied and shared knowledge.
  - Algebra: Advanced developments in mathematics introduced during this period.
  - Medicine and Philosophy: Flourishing fields drawing from various cultures and promoting intellectual exchanges.
  - Start of Turkic Rule: The rise of Turkic states and their influence in the region.
  - Sufism: A mystical Islamic belief system emphasizing a personal connection with God.
South and Southeast Asia:
  - Delhi Sultanate: A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled parts of India from 1206 to 1526.
  - Hinduism and Buddhism: Major spiritual traditions shaping regional cultures.
  - Bhakti Movement: A devotional trend in Hinduism promoting direct personal worship of God.
  - Sufism: As in Dar al-Islam, Sufism found resonance here, influencing local traditions.
Americas:
  - Incan Empire: An influential civilization in South America, known for its advanced political organization and architecture.
  - Aztec Empire: A significant Mesoamerican culture known for its monumental architecture and social hierarchy.
  - Mayan City States: Independent cities known for their advanced astronomy and writing systems.
  - Mit’a System: A form of labor tax used by the Inca, requiring work in public projects.
  - Incan Road: An extensive network facilitating movement across rugged terrain.
  - Human Sacrifice: A religious practice prominently featured in the Aztec worldview.
  - Chinampa: A Mesoamerican agriculture system involving floating islands.
Africa:
  - Great Zimbabwe: A major trading kingdom known for its architecture and agglomeration.
  - Ethiopia: An early Christian kingdom with unique cultural traditions.
  - Mali: A powerful West African empire famous for its wealth, particularly in gold.
  - Timbuktu: A center of knowledge and trade.
  - Salt and Gold: Key resources driving trade dynamics across regions.
  - Islam: Growing influence as a unifying religion.
  - Ibn Battuta: A Moroccan traveler who documented his extensive journeys.
  - Swahili Coast: A region characterized by its diverse cultures and trading communities.
  - Mansa Musa: Iconic ruler of Mali known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and immense wealth.
  - Camel Caravans: Essential for trans-Saharan trade, enabling goods transport across deserts.
Europe:
  - Feudalism: A hierarchical system of land ownership and obligations defining political and economic relationships.
  - Manorialism: An economic system structured around the lord's lands (manors) and the serfs who worked them.
  - Serfdom: A form of labor obligation whereby serfs are tied to the land.
  - Crusades: Religious wars intended to reclaim the Holy Land, impacting Europe’s relationship with the East.
  - Black Death: Bubonic plague epidemic leading to social and economic upheaval.
  - Marco Polo: An explorer whose travels to Asia would later influence European views of the East.

Main Characters:

Minamoto Yoritomo: First shogun of the Kamakura period in Japan.
Mansa Musa: The wealthy emperor of the Mali Empire.
Zhenghe: A Chinese admiral known for his voyages to Southeast Asia and beyond.
al-Razi: A pivotal figure in medicine and chemistry in the Islamic world.
Pachacuti: The ninth ruler of the Inca Empire, known for major expansion.
Johannes Gutenberg: Introduced printing technology to Europe.

Skills Focus:

Comparison: Understand and explain the similarities and differences in state building across different AP regions.
Continuity and Change: Be able to describe patterns of continuity or change in a specific AP region from 1200-1450.

Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (1200-1450)

Exam Weight: 8-10%
This unit examines the major trade routes that connected Afro-Eurasia and their cultural and environmental impacts, particularly through the Mongol Empire.

Key Trade Routes and Concepts:

The Silk Roads:
  - Kashgar/Samarkand: Key trade cities along the Silk Roads vital for cultural exchange.
  - Caravanserai: Rest stops along trade routes to support merchants and travelers.
  - Paper Money and Flying Cash: Innovations in trade and finance facilitating transactions.
  - Banking: Development of financial institutions to manage trade needs.
  - Porcelain and Chinese Iron/Steel: High-demand goods traded via these routes.
The Mongol Empire:
  - Genghis Khan: Founder of the Mongol Empire, initiator of massive territorial expansion.
  - Khanates: Divisions of the Mongol Empire post-Genghis Khan.
  - Cultural Transfers: Exchanges in knowledge, especially in medicine, mathematics, and numerology.
  - Steppe: The vast grassland region where nomadic peoples thrived and traded.
  - Bubonic Plague: Spread via trade routes leading to significant demographic changes across regions.
Exchanges in the Indian Ocean:
  - Gujarat/Malacca: Important ports in Indian Ocean trade facilitating cultural and commercial exchanges.
  - Diaspora: Communities of merchants and others settling away from their homelands.
  - Monsoon Winds: Knowledge of weather patterns crucial for navigation and timing of trade.
  - Compass: Navigational tool enhancing maritime exploration and trade.
  - Ming Admiral Zhenghe: Notable for his voyages that greatly expanded trade networks beyond China.
Trans-Saharan Trade Routes:
  - Caravans and Camel Saddles: Innovations that enabled transport across deserts.
  - Mali and Islam: The rise of Islamic empires in West Africa impacting trade and culture.
  - Mansa Musa: Not only the ruler but a significant figure who enhanced Mali's wealth through trade.
  - Gold and Salt: Key commodities traded, foundational to economic power in the region.
  - Timbuktu and Caravanserai: Notable trade centers and resting places that supported commerce.

Cultural and Environmental Consequences:

Spread of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam: Major religions that traveled along trade routes, influencing cultures and societies.
Innovations: Spread of paper and gunpowder technology and their profound impacts.
Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo: Their travels exemplified the cultural exchanges that occurred.

Main Characters:

Genghis Khan: The unifier of the Mongol tribes and catalyst for a vast empire.
Marco Polo: His accounts provide an invaluable perspective on the East.
Zhenghe: Symbol of maritime exploration and trade efforts of China.
Ibn Battuta: His extensive documentation highlights cultural diversity and interconnectivity.
Margery Kempe: An early female traveler chronicling her experiences in the medieval world.

Skills Focus:

Comparison: Analyze the similarities and differences among various networks of exchange.
Causation: Describe the causes and effects associated with the increased volume and expanded range of existing trade routes.

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Exam Weight: 12-15%
This unit details the major land-based empires that emerged in the Early Modern Period.

Key Empires and Concepts:

Manchu Empire:
  - Gunpowder: Key military technology that facilitated expansion.
  - Qing Dynasty: The last imperial dynasty of China.
  - Kangxi: A prominent emperor known for cultural and territorial expansion.
  - Imperial Portraits: Art reflecting the power dynamics of the Qing Dynasty.
  - Civil Service Exam: Continued importance for bureaucratic appointments.
  - Banner System: Military organization structure of the Qing.
  - Queue: Hairstyle mandated by the Qing for Han Chinese men.
  - Neo-Confucianism: Revival and adaptation of Confucian thought under Qing rule.
Songhai Empire:
  - Islam: A religion that significantly shaped the culture and governance.
  - Askia Muhammad: Notable ruler known for promoting education and trade, ensuring Islamic teaching enhanced legitimacy.
  - Gao: A key city in trade routes that facilitated commerce across the empire.
  - Trans-Saharan Trade: Network crucial for gold, salt, and intellectual exchanges.
Aztec Empire:
  - Tenochtitlan: The capital, known for its architectural grandeur and strategic water location.
  - Human Sacrifice: A crucial part of Aztec religion and their worldview.
  - Chinampas: Agricultural innovations that enhanced food production.
Inca Empire:
  - Cuzco: The administrative and spiritual capital, reflecting imperial power.
  - Incan Road: Extensive road network facilitating communication and military movement, critical to the empire's cohesion.
  - Atahualpa: The last Inca emperor, known for his pivotal role during Spanish conquest.
  - Sun Temple: Religious site symbolizing Inca devotion.
Tokugawa Japan:
  - Salaried Samurai: Professional warriors who served the Tokugawa shogunate, emphasizing the role of social classes.
  - Shogun: The military head of state in feudal Japan, indicating the military’s importance.
  - Bakufu: The shogunate system governing a feudal Japan.
  - Sakoku: The policy of national isolation leading to limited foreign interaction.
Ottoman Empire:
  - Gunpowder: Usage of gunpowder as a military advantage.
  - 1453: The conquest of Constantinople, marking a significant expansion.
  - Istanbul: The renamed capital, showcasing the amalgamation of cultures.
  - Devshirme: System of recruiting boys to serve in the army, reflecting the empire's unique administrative strategies.
  - Janissaries: Elite military corps composed of converted Christians, symbolizing the complex religious dynamics.
  - Tax Farming: Method of tax collection leading to diverse economic policies.
  - Millet System: A system allowing religious minorities to manage their own affairs, showcasing tolerance.
  - Sunni Islam: The dominant religion influencing the state policies and governance.
  - Alhambra Decree: A key decree promoting Christian orthodoxy.
  - Miniatures: Art reflecting the cultural richness of the empire.
  - Battle of Chaldiran: Significant military engagement showcasing regional power dynamics.
Safavid Empire:
  - Gunpowder: Usage for military enhancements.
  - Shi’a Islam: The state religion marking a significant divergence from Sunni neighbors.
  - Battle of Chaldiran: Demonstrating conflict and territorial disputes with neighboring empires.
Mughal Empire:
  - Gunpowder: Military advancements facilitating expansion.
  - Divine Faith: A syncretic faith promoted by Akbar to unite diverse groups.
  - Sikhism: A major religion emerging during Mughal rule.
  - Zamindars: Landowners in the Mughal system, showcasing local governance.
  - Taj Mahal: An architectural marvel representing cultural synthesis.

Main Characters:

Mehmet II: The Ottoman sultan who conquered Constantinople.
Montezuma II: The Aztec emperor during the height of the empire’s power.
Guru Nanak: Founder of Sikhism, promoting a blend of Hindu and Islamic teachings.
Martin Luther: Catalyst of the Protestant Reformation impacting both religion and politics in Europe.
Suleiman I: A significant Ottoman ruler overseeing a golden age.
Akbar I: Notable Mughal emperor known for administrative reforms and religious tolerance.
Tokugawa Ieyasu: Founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, stabilizing Japan.
Shah Abbas I: The Safavid ruler known for his military and cultural achievements.
Kangxi: A major Qing emperor fostering stability and cultural advancements.

Skills Focus:

Comparison: Analyze methods used by various empires to increase their influence from 1450 to 1750.
Continuity and Change: Identify continuities and changes within belief systems during this period.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections (1450-1750)

Exam Weight: 12-15%
This unit emphasizes the connections made by European maritime empires with Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Key Concepts and Technologies:

New Technology:
  - Caravel: A highly maneuverable sailing ship that facilitated exploration.
  - Fluyts: Dutch cargo ships that became pivotal in trade.
  - Prevailing Winds: Knowledge crucial for navigation and trade route planning.
  - Astronomical Charts and Astrolabe: Tools for navigation enhancing sea travel precision.
  - Compass and Lateen Sails: Technological advancements allowing better maritime navigation.
Portuguese Empire:
  - Trading Post Empire: A system of fortified trading posts along trade routes.
  - Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: A tragic system facilitating the forced movement of enslaved Africans.
  - Brazil/Angola/Indian Ocean: Key regions involved in lucrative trade networks specializing in cash crops and slaves.
  - Cash Crops: Commodities such as sugar and tobacco driving economic engines.
  - Spice Islands: Regions critical for valuable commodities that fueled European interests.
Spanish Empire:
  - Reconquista: The campaign to regain territory from Muslim rule, culminating in 1492.
  - Viceroyalties: Administrative regions established to control Spanish colonies.
  - Aztecs/Incas: Conquests leading to immense wealth for Spain.
  - Encomiendas: A labor system in Spanish America that forced Indigenous people to work for Spanish landowners.
  - Castas: Social hierarchy based on race in colonial Latin America.
  - Our Lady of Guadalupe: A symbol of Mexican identity blending Indigenous and Catholicism.
  - Vodun: A spiritual practice combining elements from African traditions and Catholicism.
  - Potosí: Major silver mine contributing significantly to Spain’s wealth.
Trading Companies:
  - Joint Stock Company: Allowed for shared investment and risk in trade ventures.
  - Dutch V.O.C.: A powerful company dominating trade in the Indian Ocean.
  - British East India Co.: A major player in the spice trade influencing Indian politics and economics.
  - Spice Trade: Nutmeg and pepper as key commodities shaping European appetites.
Columbian Exchange:
  - Exchange: A vast transfer of plants, animals, and diseases across continents.
  - Potatoes: Critical crop from the Americas that transformed diets in Europe.
  - Sugar: A highly sought-after crop linked to slavery.
  - Smallpox: A devastating disease brought to the Americas, leading to significant population declines.
  - Okra and Rice: Crops of significance brought to the New World.

Challenges to State Power:

Cossacks: Groups of warriors and peasants who resisted state authority, instrumental in Russia's expansion.
Marathas: Indigenous groups challenging Mughal authority in India.
Ana Nzinga: A queen who resisted European colonization in Africa.
Revolts from the Enslaved: Including notable figures like Queen Nanny who led resistance against British forces.

Changing Social Hierarchies:

Alhambra Decree: Expulsion of Jews from Spain indicating a shift in social policies.
Castas: A developing system of racial classification in Spanish America affecting social status.
Creoles/Peninsulares: Differentiating between those born in the colonies versus those born in Spain.
Timars-Boyars-Gentry vs. Monarchs: Rivalries showcasing changing power structures in Europe and beyond.
Banners and Millets: Systems in China and the Ottoman Empire respectively that illustrated complex social stratifications.
Din-i-alahi: A syncretic religion created by Akbar seeking to merge diverse religious beliefs in Mughal India.
Han vs. Qing in China: The dynamic between the native Han and ruling Manchus, influencing social hierarchies.

Main Characters:

Prince Henry: A major figure in promoting maritime exploration in Portugal.
Christopher Columbus: His voyages initiated widespread contact between Europe and the Americas.
Vasco da Gama: The first to reach India by sea, establishing crucial trade routes.
Bartolome de las Casas: A missionary advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Atahualpa: The last Inca emperor during the Spanish conquest.
Ana Nzinga: A historical leader known for her resistance against colonial forces.
Queen Nanny: A Maroon leader fighting against British rule in Jamaica.

Skills Focus:

Causation: Understand the causes of the Columbian Exchange and its ramifications for both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Continuity and Change: Analyze how economic developments throughout this period influenced social structures over time.

Unit 5: Revolutions (1750-1900)

Exam Weight: 12-15%
This unit encapsulates significant political shifts driven by nationalism and Enlightenment ideals, alongside economic transformations brought by the Industrial Revolution.

Key Concepts from Enlightenment:

State of Nature: Philosophical concept addressing the origins of human society and government.
Reason: The emphasis on rational thought as a core tenet of Enlightenment thinking.
Religious Tolerance: Growing idea that encourages acceptance of different religions.
Natural Rights: The idea that individuals possess inalienable rights such as life and liberty.
Social Contract: Theory suggesting that governments derive their legitimacy from an implicit contract with the governed.
Suffrage: The struggle for voting rights intensifying through this era.
Feminism and Abolition: Emerging movements advocating for women's rights and the end of slavery.

Nationalism and Revolution:

Liberalism: A political philosophy advocating for individual freedoms and constitutional government.
Nationalism: A strong identification with one’s nation, often fostering independence movements.
American Revolution: A decisive conflict ending British colonial rule and establishing the United States.
Haitian Revolution: The first successful slave revolt leading to the establishment of Haiti as an independent republic.
Latin American Revolutions: A series of movements across South America led to the decline of Spanish influence in the region.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: A fundamental document of the French Revolution promoting liberty and equality.
Jamaica Letter: A document by Simón Bolívar emphasizing the need for independence in Latin America.

Industrial Beginnings:

Great Britain: The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution facilitating unprecedented economic changes.
Urbanization: The movement of populations from rural to urban areas as factories emerged.
Agricultural Revolution: Innovations leading to increased agricultural productivity laying the foundation for industrial growth.
Coal and Iron: Resources critical to powering new industrial machines.
Private Property: Shifting notions of ownership driving economic changes within capitalist societies.
Factory System: A shift from cottage industries to centralized manufacturing processes.

Spread of Industrialization:

Steam Power: The development of engines leading to revolutionary changes in transport and manufacturing.
Spread to Europe, US, and Russia: Diffusion of industrial techniques leading to varied economic transformations.
Trans-Siberian Railroad: Significant infrastructure project expanding trade routes within Russia.
Asian and African Economic Decline: Traditional industries often unable to compete with industrialized powers.

Technology and Industrial Changes:

Fossil Fuels: The use of coal and oil as primary energy sources driving industrial advancement.
Second Industrial Revolution: Characterized by innovations in steel production, electricity, and chemical processes.
Internal Combustion Engine: Technological advancement leading to automobiles and modernization of transport.
Railroads and Steamships: Innovations improving global trade and expansion of territories.
Telegraphs: Technology enabling rapid communication across distances, facilitating trade and governance.

Governments and Industrialization:

Meiji Restoration: Japan’s transformative movement embracing modernization and industrialization.
Cotton in Egypt: Emphasis on cotton production within global trade impacting local economies.
Self-Strengthening Movement: Efforts in China to modernize the military and economy amidst foreign pressures.
Tanzimat Reforms: Ottoman reforms aimed at modernization and centralization.

Industrial Economics:

Adam Smith: Economist known for advocating free-market capitalism and laissez-faire economic principles.
Trans-National Businesses: Corporations operating across national boundaries shaping global economies.
HSBC and Unilever: Examples of companies active within global economic frameworks.
Stock Markets: Growth of financial markets allowing for investment and economic expansion.

Industrial Reactions:

Reforms: Growing demands for social reforms in response to industrial conditions.
Karl Marx and Communism: Ideologies emerging alongside industrialization critiquing capitalist systems.

Industrial Society:

Middle and Working Class: Sociopolitical dynamics reshaping class structures.
Domesticity: The social expectations of women during industrialization emphasizing home and family roles.

Main Characters:

John Locke: Philosopher influential in liberal thought and governance.
Adam Smith: Forefather of modern economics promoting market-driven economies.
James Watt: Inventor whose improvements to the steam engine fueled industrial growth.
Toussaint L’Ouverture: Leader of the Haitian Revolution advocating for freedom from slavery.
Muhammad Ali: An Egyptian leader recognized for modernization efforts in his country.
Bolivar: A key figure in Latin American independence movements against Spanish rule.
Karl Marx: Philosopher and economist whose ideas challenged capitalist structures.
Henry Ford: Innovator in manufacturing techniques, especially the assembly line.

Skills Focus:

Comparison: Evaluate the extent to which industrialization induced change from 1750 to 1900.
Contextualization: Analyze the intellectual and ideological context surrounding the Atlantic Revolutions.

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization (1750-1900)

Exam Weight: 12-15%
This unit examines global reactions to industrialization, highlighting New Imperialism and global migrations.

Rationales for Imperialism:

Social Darwinism: Ideology justifying imperialism as a natural order of superiority among races.
White Man’s Burden: A phrase suggesting it was the responsibility of Europeans to civilize non-Western peoples.
Civilizing Mission: The belief in the moral obligation to spread Western civilization and Christianity.
Nationalism: Heightened national pride driving colonial endeavors.
Religious Conversion: Efforts to spread Christianity motivating imperialistic ventures.

State Expansion:

Growth of US and Japanese Empires: Expansionist policies leading to territorial acquisitions.
Berlin Conference: The 1884 conference where European powers divided Africa for colonization, exemplifying extreme nationalism.
Settler Colony: Establishment of colonies where settlers take over land, leading to displacement of indigenous populations.
Congo: The Belgian Congo exemplifies exploitation through colonial practices.

Indigenous Responses:

Growth of Nationalism: Movements advocating for independence and self-determination amongst colonized people.
Tupac Amaru II: Led a significant uprising against Spanish rule in Peru.
Sepoy Rebellion 1857: A major uprising against the British East India Company in India showcasing the drive for independence.
Yaa Asantewaa: Led the Ashanti rebellion against British forces in West Africa.
Xhosa Cattle Killing: A desperate act by the Xhosa people in response to colonial pressures.

Imperial Economics:

Export Economies: Colonial economies focusing on exporting resources to the mother country.
Rubber and Palm Oil: Key exports determining colonial economies.
Guano: An important fertilizer resource harvested from islands to bolster agricultural productivity.
Opium Wars: Conflicts resulting from Britain's opium trade in China, demonstrating economic imperialism and addiction issues.
Banana Republics: Term describing Central American countries that were economically influenced and often exploited by foreign corporations.

Causes of Migrations:

New Modes of Transportation: The innovation of steam and rail transport facilitating global movements.
Job Opportunities in Cities: Industrial growth leading to urbanization and migration toward job centers.
Coerced Labor: Systems of forced labor, often within colonial contexts, leading to population displacements.

Effects of Migrations:

Migrants—Predominantly Male: Migration often led to families being separated as men sought work abroad, leaving women behind.
Ethnic Enclaves: Communities of migrants maintaining cultural identities in new lands.
Receiving Societies: The sociocultural dynamics of societies that accept migrants.
White Australia Policy: Immigration restrictions aimed at reducing non-European immigration, showcasing racial policies.

Main Characters:

Tupac Amaru II: Indigenous leader symbolizing resistance against colonization in Peru.
Lin Zexu: Chinese scholar and official known for his opposition to the opium trade.
Charles Darwin: Naturalist whose ideas on evolution were misappropriated to justify imperial ideologies.
Dr. Livingstone: Explorer and missionary advocating for humanitarianism in Africa.
King Leopold II: King of Belgium remembered for his brutal treatment of Congolese people.
Hiram Maxim: Inventor and arms dealer whose innovations enhanced colonial military power.
Mei Emperor: The final emperor of the Qing Dynasty facing vast challenges.

Skills Focus:

Causation: Analyze the significance of the effects of imperialism between 1750 and 1900.
Causation: Assess how ideologies contributed to the development of imperialism during this period.

Unit 7: Global Conflicts (1900-present)

Exam Weight: 8-10%
This unit covers the first half of the Contemporary Period (1900-1945), spotlighting the World Wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

Shifting Power:

Land-Based and Maritime Empires: Decline of empires such as the Ottoman and Qing and rise of nation-states like Mexico post-revolution.
Causes of WWI: Factors include militarism, competition for resources, intense nationalism, intricate alliances, regional conflicts, and imperialist expansions.

Conducting WWI:

First Total War: Characterized by nation-wide mobilization and extensive use of resources.
Military Technologies: Use of propaganda, gas, tanks, and machine guns altering warfare dynamics.

Interwar Economics:

Stock Market Crash: The 1929 event igniting the Great Depression, affecting economies globally.
Great Depression: Severe worldwide economic downturn leading to mass unemployment and social unrest.
New Deal: FDR's program aimed at economic recovery and reform in the United States.
Five-Year Plans: Stalin’s ambitious industrialization efforts in the USSR setting the stage for totalitarian developments.
Fascist Corporatist Economy: Economic systems centered around state cooperation with industries under fascism.

Unresolved Tensions:

League of Nations: Established post-WWI to promote peace but proved ineffective in preventing future conflicts.
Mandates: Territories administered by a foreign power without full sovereignty.
East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere: Japan’s imperial objective aimed at expanding influence in Asia.
Indian National Congress: The leading nationalist party advocating for Indian independence from British rule.
Fascism: An authoritarian political system emerging as a reaction to perceived threats of communism.

Causes of WWII:

Failures of the Treaty of Versailles: Harsh penalties on Germany sowed resentment and instability.
Great Depression: Contributed to political instability and extremist movements across Europe.
Aggressive Militarism: Rise of fascism in Japan and Nazi Germany promoting expansionist policies.

Conducting WWII:

Total War Dynamics: Government propaganda supporting war efforts, targeting not only military assets but civilians as well.
Fascists and Communists: Key ideologies fighting for global dominance through warfare.
Fire-Bombing and Atomic Bombs: Methods exemplifying the devastating military strategies employed during the conflict.

Mass Atrocities:

Holocaust: Systematic genocide of Jews and other groups orchestrated by the Nazi regime.
Genocide: Continued pattern of targeted violence during WWII, including events like Holodomor in Ukraine.
Ethnic Violence: Various instances of ethnic cleansing and violence in Cambodia and Rwanda.

Main Characters:

Franz Ferdinand: His assassination triggered WWI.
Sun Yat-sen: Revolutionary leader promoting nationalism in China.
Vladimir Lenin: Key figure in the Russian Revolution promoting communist ideologies.
Joseph Stalin: Leader of the Soviet Union known for totalitarian rule and rapid industrialization.
Ataturk: The founder of modern Turkey, having transformed the nation post-Ottoman Empire.
Benito Mussolini: Founder of Italian Fascism promoting authoritarian rule.
Adolf Hitler: German leader whose aggressive policies launched WWII and the devastating genocide of the Holocaust.

Skills Focus:

Causation: Explain the causes of global conflicts from 1900 to the present in terms of significance.
Comparison: Analyze similarities and differences in how governments employed methods to conduct war.

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization (1900-present)

Exam Weight: 8-10%
The post-global conflicts landscape as the Cold War emerged, and many regions underwent processes of decolonization.

The Cold War:

Yalta Conference: Allied leaders' meeting to discuss the reorganization of post-war Europe.
Marshall Plan: U.S. program to aid Western Europe economically and politically post-WWII.
Containment: U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.
Truman Doctrine: U.S. commitment to support nations resisting communism, shaping foreign policy.
Deterrence and M.A.D.: Mutual Assured Destruction as a cornerstone of Cold War dynamics.
Non-Aligned Movement: Nations seeking to remain independent of both U.S. and Soviet influences during the Cold War.

Effects of the Cold War:

N.A.T.O.: Military alliance formed to counter Soviet aggression.
Warsaw Pact: Response by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states.
Nuclear Proliferation: The spread of nuclear weapons becoming central to global security debates.
Proxy Wars: Conflicts fueled by Cold War tensions, exemplifying indirect confrontations.
Korean Conflict: A significant proxy war illustrating Cold War dynamics in East Asia.
Contras: U.S.-backed insurgents in Nicaragua fighting against the Sandinista government.
Partition of Germany: The division of Germany reflects Cold War tensions leading to long-lasting consequences.
Cuban Missile Crisis: A critical moment of direct confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR.

Spread of Communism:

Chinese Civil War: Resultant establishment of the People’s Republic of China led by the communist party.
Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P.): Key player in shaping modern-day China through revolutionary ideologies.
Great Leap Forward: An ambitious program to transform China into an industrial society, but resulting in significant famine.
Cultural Revolution: Campaign led by Mao Zedong to enforce communist ideology through cultural purges.
Vietnam Conflict: A large-scale war illustrating the Cold War's influence, with heavy U.S. involvement.
Land and Resource Redistribution: Policies aimed at eliminating class structures and redistributing wealth post-revolution.

Decolonization:

Nationalist Leaders: Influential figures advocating for independence from colonial rule across Africa and Asia.
Negotiated vs. Armed Independence: Varied approaches leading to self-governance, such as in Ghana and India.
Newly Independent States: The emergence of new nations post-colonization leading to boundary tensions (e.g., India/Pakistan, Israel).
Migrations to Metropoles: Population movements from former colonies to Europe or other powerful nations for opportunities.

Global Resistance:

Gandhi: Prominent leader advocating non-violent resistance for Indian independence.
Mandela: Key figure in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Martin Luther King Jr.: American civil rights leader advocating for racial equality through nonviolent protests.
Al-Qaeda: An organization emerging in the late 20th century vehemently opposing Western influence, particularly in Muslim lands.

End of the Cold War:

Detente: Easing of Cold War tensions leading to arms control agreements.
Star Wars: Strategic Defense Initiative based on technological advancements to counteract nuclear threats.
Arms Race: Competition to build up stockpiles of weapons between the U.S. and the USSR.
Berlin Wall: Symbol of the division of East and West, falling in 1989 as a manifestation of Cold War tensions.
Soviet-Afghan War: A conflict showcasing the limitations of the USSR in maintaining control.
Chernobyl: Nuclear disaster raising awareness of the Soviet system's inefficiencies.
Glasnost and Perestroika: Policies by Gorbachev aimed at restructuring the Soviet Union and promoting openness.

Main Characters:

Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of the Indian independence movement through nonviolent means.
George Marshall: Creator of the Marshall Plan promoting recovery in Europe post-WWII.
Ho Chi Minh: Leader in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from colonial powers.
Mao Zedong: Founder of the People’s Republic of China, emblematizing communist leadership.
Kwame Nkrumah: Influential in securing Ghana’s independence from British rule.
Nelson Mandela: Key figure in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Gorbachev: Last leader of the Soviet Union known for reforms leading to the eventual collapse of the USSR.

Skills Focus:

Causation: Assess similarities in the effects of the Cold War across Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Comparison: Evaluate processes by which various peoples pursued independence from 1900 onward.

Unit 9: Globalization (1900-present)

Exam Weight: 8-10%
Key themes of increasing global interconnectivity driven by technology, disease, economics, and reforms.

Technology:

Radio and Internet: Transformative communication technologies enhancing global connectivity.
Birth Control: Innovations precipitating social changes regarding gender and family.
Petroleum: Emerging as a critical energy source reshaping economics and geopolitics.
Nuclear Technology: Introduced both fear of destruction and energy generation.
Green Revolution and GMOs: Agricultural advancements aiming to feed growing populations and increase yields.
Vaccines/Antibiotics: Medical advancements revolutionizing public health and longevity.

Disease:

Tuberculosis and 1918 Flu: Global health crises showing the interconnectedness and vulnerabilities of populations.
Ebola and HIV/AIDS: Modern pandemics emphasizing health disparities and global health responses.
Alzheimer’s: Illustrative of emerging health concerns related to aging populations.

Environment:

Climate Change: A global crisis driven by industrialization and excessive consumption, necessitating cooperative international responses.
Deforestation: The loss of forests impacting biodiversity and climate stability.
Greenhouse Gasses: Emissions linked to industrial activities demanding regulatory responses.

Economics:

Free Market Economics: Advocacy for minimal government interference allowing market forces to operate freely.
Economic Liberalization: Policies promoting open trade and investment, often leading to increases in globalization.
Knowledge Economies vs. Manufacturing Economies: Shifts in economic bases emphasizing information and technology sectors.

Calls for Reform:

UN Declaration of Human Rights: A foundational document advocating for universal rights and freedoms.
Negritude Movement: An assertion of black identity and culture traceable to the literary and political movements of the early 20th century.
Feminism: Continued advocacy for women’s rights amidst global changes.
Suffrage and Civil Rights: Movements focused on equal rights across various demographics.
End of Apartheid: The struggle for racial equality in South Africa as a landmark event in global human rights.
Greenpeace: Environmental activism calling attention to issues of sustainability and protection of the earth.

Culture:

Consumerism: The rise of consumer culture