World History Semester 2 Final Review Notes

Armenian Genocide

  • Main victims: Armenian men, women, and children.

  • Ottoman Empire's intention: Systematically eliminate the Armenian population as part of ethnic cleansing.

  • Methods used: Forced migration, death marches, mass executions, and starvation.

  • UN definition of genocide: It was a systematic attempt by the Ottoman Empire to exterminate the Armenian population.

  • Hitler's reference: Implied that genocides can be ignored or forgotten over time.

M.A.I.N. Causes of World War I

  • Nationalism: Intense pride and loyalty toward one's country, leading to conflict.

  • Militarism: Maintaining a strong military and being prepared to use it aggressively.

  • Alliances: European nations formed complex webs of agreements.

  • Imperialism: Competition for colonies and global influence.

World War I

  • Resources and Soldiers: Primarily drawn from Africa and South Asia.

  • Colonial Peoples' Support: Provided raw materials, labor, and soldiers.

  • Trench Warfare: Characterized by deep ditches and prolonged stalemates.

  • US Entry: Provided fresh troops and resources, boosting Allied morale and strength.

Russian Revolution

  • Bolshevik Revolution: Led to the end of Russian involvement in World War I and the beginning of Communist control.

  • Leader: Vladimir Lenin.

  • Influence on WWI: Russia withdrew, allowing Germany to concentrate forces on the Western Front.

Treaty of Versailles

  • Economic Impact on Germany: Severe inflation and massive debt due to reparations.

  • Political Climate in Germany: Nationalist and extremist movements gained support.

Post-World War I

  • European Borders: New nations created based on ethnic and national lines.

League of Nations

  • Ineffectiveness: Lacked a standing military force and key nations like the U.S. were not members.

  • Response to Japan's Invasion of Manchuria: Verbal condemnation without enforcement actions.

Japan's Expansion

  • Beginning: Invasion of Manchuria (1931).

  • Main Goal: Dominate East Asia and secure natural resources.

Italy's Expansion

  • Major Conflict: Invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

  • League of Nations Reaction: Weak economic sanctions.

  • Main Goal: Restore the glory of Ancient Rome.

Germany's Expansion

  • Beginning: Annexation of Austria (Anschluss).

  • League of Nations Response: Economic sanctions and verbal condemnations.

  • Policy: Appeasement (conceding to aggression to avoid conflict).

  • Primary Goal: Reclaim lost territories and expand eastward into Europe.

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

  • Disillusionment after World War I: Created skepticism towards democratic institutions and support for authoritarian solutions.

The Holocaust

  • Nazi Government’s Intention: Systematically eliminate "undesirable" populations.

  • Plan: The Final Solution.

  • Methods: Forced labor camps, mass shootings, and gas chambers.

  • Targeted Groups: Jewish people, Roma, disabled individuals, political opponents, and more.

  • UN Definition of Genocide: Systematic attempt to exterminate the Jewish population.

World War II

  • Human Costs: High civilian casualties due to bombings, massacres, and forced labor.

  • Winston Churchill: Iconic symbol of resistance and national unity.

Post-World War II Superpowers

  • Emergence of US and Soviet Union: Strong economic recovery and military strength.

Yalta Conference

  • Major Outcome: Division of Germany into occupation zones controlled by Allied forces.

Marshall Plan

  • Major Outcome: Accelerated economic recovery and growth in Western Europe. Provided over 12billion12 billion in aid.

United Nations Genocide Convention

  • Primary Goal: To criminalize acts of genocide and prevent future atrocities.

  • Definition of Genocide: The deliberate extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Soviet Union

  • Five-Year Plans: Severe famine in Ukraine (Holodomor) resulting from forced collectivization.

  • Holodomor Intention: Suppress Ukrainian nationalism and control grain production.

  • Holodomor Methods: Seized grain and food supplies and hid census statistics.

  • Holodomor Targets: Ukrainian farmers and rural populations.

  • Five-Year Plans Success: Significant growth in heavy industry (steel and coal).

China

  • Cultural Revolution Targets: Intellectuals, teachers, and counterrevolutionaries.

  • Cultural Revolution Consequences: Destruction of artifacts and traditional Chinese culture.

  • Long-term Effect of Cultural Revolution: Distrust towards intellectuals and a decline in education for a generation.