Summer School History Notes

European Imperialism & Africa

• Europeans treated Africans unfairly; caused resentment.

• Africans lost natural resources and self-rule.

• Imperialism did not happen because of gold discovery in Africa.

• Instead, it was fueled by the desire for new markets, strategic military advantages, and the spread of European culture and religion.

Industrial Revolution & Labor

• England had iron and coal to start the Industrial Revolution.

• Arkwright’s water frame helped move textile work to factories.

• Workers formed unions for safer work and shorter hours.

• Unions led to better working conditions.

• Additionally, this shift in labor dynamics contributed to the rise of new social classes, as many former agrarian workers moved to urban areas seeking employment.

World War I

• Started with assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

• New weapons made WWI deadliest war so far.

• U.S. entered because Germany sank ships (Lusitania).

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points: People should choose own governments.

• About 9 million soldiers and millions civilians died.

• Militarism caused countries to build large armies/weapons.

• Nationalism fueled tensions between nations and led to conflicts over territorial disputes.

Russian Revolution & Lenin

• Lenin believed a small group should lead the revolution.

• Lenin took land and factories, eliminated enemies, suppressed religion.

• Lenin did NOT restore the tsar.

• He implemented the New Economic Policy (NEP) to stabilize the economy, allowing limited private enterprise while maintaining state control over major industries.

Gandhi & India

• Gandhi used nonviolent resistance.

• Britain split India into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan.

• India’s economy grew, creating a middle class.

• Gandhi said: “The strength and courage to suffer without retaliation.”

• This philosophy inspired many civil rights movements around the world and continues to influence activists today.

Middle East Conflicts

• Zionists wanted a Jewish state, causing Arab-Jew conflicts.

• British did not fully give up Palestine.

• Armenian Massacre was genocide by Ottomans trying to destroy Armenians.

• Cuban Missile Crisis was Soviets placing missiles in Cuba.

• The Cold War tensions escalated further as the world watched the standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to a pivotal moment in international relations.

World War II & After

• Japan attacked U.S. for natural resources (like oil).

• Allies used island-hopping to defeat Japan.

• U.S. economy grew after WWII; more luxuries affordable.

• Cold War was a 40-year U.S.-Soviet standoff.

• Marshall Plan helped rebuild Europe, support democracies.

• Civil Rights movement began in U.S. after WWII.

• -Cold War tensions escalated as the U.S. and Soviet Union vied for global influence.

Cold War & Modern Conflicts

• Indonesia’s conflict due to ethnic/religious differences.

• Mexico joined NAFTA with U.S. and Canada.

• Organization of American States helped fair elections in Latin America.

• U.S. invaded Iraq post-9/11 over suspected weapons and terrorists.

• In contrast, the United Nations played a significant role in mediating conflicts and promoting peacekeeping efforts in various regions.

Political Ideologies

• Fascism lets private property; communism does not.

• Both fascism and communism suppress political freedoms.

• Hitler believed Germans were destined to rule the world.

• Robert Owen believed in building a utopian society with socialism.

• Mussolini emphasized nationalism and the importance of the state over individual rights.

Miscellaneous

• Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany and angered Germans; did not ensure peace.

• Total war involves entire society, not just soldiers.

• U.S. justified Philippines takeover as duty to civilize.

• The interwar period saw the rise of totalitarian regimes, as economies struggled and democratic governments failed to address the needs of their citizens.