Unit 3 WHAP Review

1. Adam Smith’s Philosophy

A. Economy?

• Advocated for laissez-faire capitalism, where the government has minimal involvement in economic affairs.

• Believed in the invisible hand, where free-market competition leads to economic prosperity.

• Promoted free trade and opposed mercantilism.

B. Governmental Beliefs?

• Thought government should only play a role in protecting society, administering justice, and providing public goods (like infrastructure).

• Opposed government monopolies and excessive regulation.

2. Berlin Conference

A. Who met at the conference?

• European powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and others. No African representatives were present.

B. What effect did it have on the world?

• Led to the Scramble for Africa, where European powers divided the continent without considering African cultures or borders.

• Increased European colonization and exploitation of Africa’s resources.

C. Why was it created?

• To prevent conflicts between European powers over African territory.

• To establish rules for colonial claims in Africa.

3. Similarities Between the Following Revolutions

French and Haitian Revolutions

• Both were inspired by Enlightenment ideals (liberty, equality, and rights).

• Both involved the lower classes rebelling against oppressive elites.

• Both faced resistance from outside forces (France had European monarchies against them; Haiti faced Napoleon’s army).

• Haiti’s revolution was also about ending slavery, while France’s was about reforming government and class structure.

4. Simon Bolivar’s Impact on Latin America

A. What purpose did he serve?

• Led independence movements against Spanish rule in South America.

B. How did he directly affect it?

• Helped liberate Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

• Created the short-lived Gran Colombia, a united state of liberated nations.

C. Why was his impact so important?

• Inspired republicanism in Latin America.

• Pushed for abolition of slavery and rights for the lower classes.

5. Boxer Rebellion

A. Who were the Boxers?

• A secret Chinese society called the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists.

B. What was their purpose for a rebellion?

• To expel foreigners and end Christian missionary influence in China.

• To resist European, American, and Japanese imperialism.

C. Why was the rebellion important?

• Showed Chinese resentment against foreign control.

• Led to a stronger foreign military presence in China.

6. Industrial Revolution

A. Who did the revolution affect?

• Everyone, but especially working-class people, factory owners, and urban populations.

B. What did the revolution cause?

• Mass production of goods.

• Urbanization (people moving to cities).

• Harsh working conditions and child labor.

C. Why was the revolution important?

• Transformed economies from agriculture to industry.

• Led to technological advancements and capitalism.

7. Communist Manifesto

A. Who wrote it?

• Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

B. What was its message?

• History is a struggle between bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers).

• Advocated for a classless society and abolition of private property.

C. Why was it important?

• Inspired communist revolutions (e.g., Russian Revolution).

• Challenged capitalism and led to the rise of socialism.

8. Fall of the Ottoman Empire

A. What led to it?

• Internal corruption and economic decline.

• Loss of territories due to nationalist movements.

• Defeats in World War I.

B. Who caused it?

• European imperialism and internal nationalist groups.

C. Why did they fall?

• Couldn’t modernize fast enough to compete with European powers.

9. Charles Darwin’s Philosophy

A. What effect did his philosophies have on society?

• Led to the theory of evolution and natural selection.

• Influenced biology, genetics, and medicine.

B. Why was his philosophy used to justify different belief systems?

• Some misused Social Darwinism to justify imperialism, racism, and capitalism (survival of the fittest).

10. Effects of Imperialism on Africa and China

A. Who caused imperialism within these two areas?

• European powers (Britain, France, Belgium) and Japan in China.

B. What events illustrated imperialism in these areas?

• Scramble for Africa (1880s-1914).

• Opium Wars in China.

C. How did imperialism change these areas?

• Africa: Exploited for resources, divided by artificial borders.

• China: Became economically dependent on foreign powers.

11. Meiji Reformation

A. Who did the reformation affect?

• All of Japan, especially samurai, peasants, and industrial workers.

B. What lasting effects did this reformation have?

• Modernized Japan, making it a global power.

• Abolished the feudal system.

C. Why did governmental changes occur?

• To avoid colonization by Western powers and strengthen Japan.

12. Opium War

A. Who did it affect?

• China and Britain.

B. What changes occurred?

• China lost sovereignty, had to sign unequal treaties (e.g., Treaty of Nanjing).

• Britain gained Hong Kong and access to Chinese markets.

C. Why was this war important?

• Marked the start of China’s "Century of Humiliation".

13. Russian Revolutions

A. Who did it directly affect?

• Russian monarchy (Romanovs), workers, and peasants.

B. What changes occurred?

• Tsar was overthrown, replaced by communist rule under Lenin.

• Led to the formation of the Soviet Union.

C. How did the revolution impact the world?

• Inspired other communist movements (China, Cuba, Vietnam).

• Started the Cold War tensions.

14. European Empires in Africa

A. How were they established?

• Through military conquest, treaties, and exploitation of African rivalries.

B. What were their lasting effects?

• Artificial borders that still cause conflict.

• Economic dependency on Europe.

• Suppressed African cultural and political systems.