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Got it, Aarush! Here’s an extended

detailed study guide that fully synthesizes the major AMSCO topics, giving you in-depth explanations while keeping things structured and concise for your final tomorrow.

Comprehensive Study Guide: Global Conflicts & Cold War

World War II: Causes & Conduct (AMSCO 7.6 & 7.7)

Causes of World War II

• Treaty of Versailles (1919) → Germany faced extreme economic distress, harsh reparations, and territorial losses, fueling nationalist resentment.

• Rise of Totalitarianism → Fascist leaders like Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), and Tojo (Japan) gained power by promoting aggressive nationalism and expansion.

• Failure of the League of Nations → The League lacked enforcement power, allowing Germany, Italy, and Japan to expand unchecked.

• Global Economic Struggles → The Great Depression (1929) destabilized economies worldwide, making radical ideologies more appealing.

• Expansionism & Appeasement → Germany’s invasion of Poland (1939) marked the war’s official start, after Britain and France had appeased Hitler’s earlier moves.

Key WWII Strategies & Alliances

• Blitzkrieg ("Lightning War") → Germany used fast, coordinated attacks combining tanks, infantry, and air strikes.

• Destroyers-for-Bases Agreement (1940) → U.S. provided 50 naval destroyers to Britain in exchange for strategic military bases.

• Lend-Lease Act (1941) → U.S. supplied military aid to Allied forces, abandoning neutrality.

• Atlantic Charter (1941) → U.S. and Britain outlined post-war goals, including self-determination and global disarmament.

Impact of 20th-Century Wars (AMSCO 7.9)

Effects of WWII on Global Politics

• Casualties & Destruction → Entire cities were leveled (e.g., Hiroshima, Dresden), resulting in millions of civilian deaths.

• New Global Powers → Shift from European dominance to a bipolar world (U.S. vs. USSR).

• Technology Advancements → Atomic weapons, radar, jet engines, antibiotics revolutionized warfare and health.

• Decolonization & Independence Movements → Former colonies in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia gained independence post-WWII.

• United Nations (1945) → Created to prevent future wars, replacing the ineffective League of Nations.

Cold War: Causes & Global Impact (AMSCO 8.2 & 8.8)

Cold War Origins & Ideologies

• U.S. vs. USSR Rivalry → Capitalism (U.S.) vs. Communism (USSR), leading to proxy conflicts.

• Iron Curtain (1946) → Winston Churchill’s metaphor for Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe.

• Truman Doctrine (1947) → U.S. pledged support to nations resisting communist expansion.

• Marshall Plan (1948) → U.S. economic aid package to rebuild Western Europe while limiting Soviet influence.

• Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) → Both superpowers built nuclear arsenals, deterring direct war.

• Non-Aligned Movement → Nations like India and Yugoslavia refused Cold War alliances, promoting independence.

End of the Cold War & Soviet Collapse

• Soviet Economic Decline → Heavy military spending weakened the USSR.

• Gorbachev’s Reforms:

  • Perestroika (Economic restructuring) → Shifted the USSR toward a more market-oriented economy.

  • Glasnost (Openness) → Allowed political debate but exposed corruption and government failures.

• Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) → Symbolic collapse of Soviet influence in Europe.

• Dissolution of the USSR (1991) → 15 new independent nations emerged, ending Soviet rule.

• U.S. as Sole Superpower → Cold War’s end solidified American global influence.

Final Study Plan

🔹 Memorize Key Terms: Blitzkrieg, Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Glasnost, Perestroika.

🔹 Compare Causes: WWII vs. Cold War tensions.

🔹 Practice Questions: "How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to WWII?" "Why did the Soviet Union collapse?"

🔹 Quiz Yourself: Flashcards for major Cold War events.

🔹 Rest & Review: A clear mind = better recall! Would you like me to create a practice quiz right now? I can ask some high-level conceptual questions to refine your understanding!