Semester II, 2025-2026

I. IMPERIALISM

What is Imperialism?

Imperialism is when a powerful country takes political, economic, or military control over

another territory.

Main Reasons for Imperialism

Remember the “3 Gs”:

1. Gold (Economic Reasons)

European nations wanted:

o Raw materials (rubber, cotton, gold, diamonds)

o New markets to sell products

o Cheap labor

2. Glory (Political Reasons)

Countries competed for power and colonies.

More colonies = more national pride.

3. God (Cultural Reasons)

Europeans believed they should spread Christianity and Western culture.

Many believed Europeans were “superior” (Social Darwinism).

IA. Imperialism in India

The East India Company

A British trading company that slowly took control of India.

Controlled trade, taxes, and local rulers.

Britain benefited economically from Indian resources.

1: Effects on India

Positive:

  • Railroads

  • Telegraph systems

  • Modern schools

Negative:

  • Indians lost political power.

  • Traditional industries were damaged.

  • Heavy taxes and unfair treatment.

The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

Who were the Sepoys?

Indian soldiers working for the British East India Company.

Causes of the Rebellion

Cultural and religious disrespect by the British.

New rifle cartridges were rumored to contain cow and pig fat:

o Offensive to Hindus and Muslims.

Results

Rebellion failed.

Britain took direct control of India.

End of East India Company rule.

IB. Imperialism in South Africa

The Boers

Dutch settlers in South Africa.

Conflict with Britain

Britain wanted control of:

o Gold

o Diamonds

o Trade routes

2: Boer War (1899–1902)

War between the British and the Boers.

Results: 

  • Britain won.

  • South Africa became controlled by Britain.

IC. Impact of Imperialism

Positive Effects

  • Transportation systems improved.

  • New technology and medicine were introduced.

  • Schools and communication systems expanded.

Negative Effects

  • Exploitation of people and resources.

  • Loss of local cultures and traditions.

  • Racism and inequality increased.

  • Colonized people had little freedom.

II. WORLD WAR I

IIA. Causes of World War I

Remember: M.A.I.N.

Militarism: Countries built huge armies and weapons.

Alliances: Two major alliance systems:

  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

  • Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia

Imperialism: Competition over colonies increased tension.

Nationalism: Strong pride in one’s nation caused conflict.

Immediate Cause of WWI:

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)

  • Heir to Austria-Hungary’s throne.

  • Killed by a Serbian nationalist.

This triggered declarations of war across Europe.

IIB. Weapon Warfare in WWI

New Weapons:

  • Machine guns

  • Poison gas

  • Tanks

  • Airplanes

  • Submarines (U-boats)

Effects:

  • Massive casualties

  • More destructive warfare

IIC. Life in the Trenches

Trench Warfare: Soldiers fought from long ditches called trenches.

Conditions:

  • Mud and rats

  • Disease

  • Cold weather

  • Constant fear

“No Man’s Land”: Dangerous area between enemy trenches.

IID. Causes and Entry of the US into WWI

Why did the US enter the War?

1. German U-Boat Attacks

  • Germany sank ships without warning.

  • Lusitania (1915)

  • British passenger ship sunk by Germany.

  • Americans died.

2. Zimmerman Telegram

  • Germany tried to convince Mexico to attack the US.

3. Economic Ties

  • The US traded heavily with Britain and France.

US Entry (1917)

  • The United States entered the war in 1917 on the Allied side.

Wilson’s 14 Points: 

Created by President Woodrow Wilson.

Goals:

  • Prevent future wars

  • Promote peace

  • Self-determination for nations

Important Ideas:

  • Freedom of the seas

  • Reduction of weapons

  • Creation of the League of Nations

IIE. Treaty of Versailles (1919)

The official treaty ending WWI.

Terms of the Treaty:

Germany had to:

  • Accept blame for the war

  • Pay reparations

  • Reduce its military

  • Lose territory

Effects:

  • Germans felt humiliated.

  • Economic problems worsened.

  • Helped create conditions leading to WWII.

III. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION & USSR

IIIA. Causes of the Bolshevik Revolution (1917)

Problems in Russia

1. Poor Living Conditions

Peasants and workers were very poor.

2. Weak Leadership

  • Tsar Nicholas II was unpopular.

3. World War I Losses

  • Millions of Russian soldiers died.

  • Food shortages and inflation increased.

IIIB. Bolsheviks and Lenin

Bolsheviks: Radical communist group.

Leader: Vladimir Lenin (1917-1922)

Lenin’s Promises: “Peace, Land, and Bread”

Results of the Revolution

  • Bolsheviks seized power.

  • Russia left WWI.

  • The Communist government was created.

IIID. Birth of Communism and the USSR

Communism: 

An economic and political system where:

  • Property is owned collectively or by the state.

  • Social classes are eliminated.

USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, created in 1922.

Lenin’s Policies: War Communism

  • Government-controlled industries and food.

NEP (New Economic Policy)

  • Allowed some private businesses.

  • Helped rebuild the economy.

IIIE. Stalin and Totalitarian Rule

Joseph Stalin (1924-1953)

  • Took power after Lenin’s death.

Totalitarian Regime

Government controls:

  • Politics

  • Economy

  • Media

  • Education

  • Personal freedoms

Stalin’s Policies:

Collectivization: Forced farmers to join large state farms.

Results:

  • Food shortages

  • Famine

  • Resistance from peasants

Industrialization:

  • Rapid factory growth.

  • The Five-Year Plans

  • The USSR became a major industrial power.

The Great Purge (1930-1933)

  • Stalin eliminated enemies and rivals.

  • Millions were imprisoned or killed.

Propaganda

Used to:

  • Control information

  • Create loyalty to Stalin

  • Promote fear and obedience

IV. THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE (1915)

What Was It?

  • Mass killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during WWI.

Why Did It Happen?

  • Ottoman leaders feared Armenians would support Russia.

  • Armenians were treated as enemies.

What Happened?

  • Deportations

  • Forced marches

  • Starvation and mass killings

Results

  • About 1–1.5 million Armenians died.

  • Considered one of the first modern genocides.