Review of Cold War Concepts and Dictatorships in Europe

Focused preparation ahead of exams.
- Students need to concentrate for the next week and all of April.
- There will be a movie time and then project work in May.

Final topics on the Cold War will conclude our current unit.
Following the Cold War, a two-week review session will open up for exams preparation.

Last timed DBQ will occur on Wednesday.
- Replacement grades will be issued; the higher of two scores will be taken.
- Class needs to bring their computers for this DBQ, especially for those using personal devices for the AP exam.

Students must decide what computer to use for the AP exam.
- If using a personal computer, it must be brought on Wednesday for troubleshooting.
- Class time to prepare includes signing into the College Board and other preparatory tasks.
Aim for comfort with using the chosen computer on exam day (May 5).

A look back at discussions pre-break: build-up to World War II addressing interwar issues in Europe.
Key concept: The aftermath of World War I left numerous economic and political challenges.

Economic problems:
- Massive war debt made recovery difficult; countries struggled financially.
- Great Depression began (1929) exacerbating these issues, impacting Germany severely.
- U.S. economy was built on credit; led to stock market crash contributing to global financial collapse.
Political instability:
- Radical political shifts and the emergence of frustrations with democracy led to the rise of extremist movements (fascism and communism).
- Germany faced the Weimar Republic's instability, and Hitler’s resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles deepened.
New treatment of radical ideologies - Rise of fascism and communism in response to economic turmoil.

Mussolini came to power amidst deep societal unrest post-WWI, promising stability and national revival.
- Key characteristics of fascism included militarism, a one-party system, and nationalism.
Mussolini modernized the military and began expansionist policies, such as the invasion of Ethiopia (1935).
- Faced little international pushback, showcasing the failure of the League of Nations.

Hitler’s rise powered by economic issues stemming from the Treaties of Versailles, impacting German national identity.
- His book, Mein Kampf, outlined his severe nationalistic and anti-Semitic ideologies, targeting Jewish people and communists.
Used propaganda to gain support; transformed Germany into a militarized state via public works and rearmament policies.
- Violation of the treaty worsened relationships with other nations.

Hitler’s threatens to invade Czechoslovakia led to the Munich Agreement, promising not to seize more territory.
Subsequently broke the agreement which showed the failures of diplomatic approaches.

Led by Tojo and the emperor Hirohito, Japan pursued expansion in Asia, invading Manchuria (1933).
- Emphasis on resource acquisition fueled militaristic policies as imperial and fascist ideologies permeated the state.

The Spanish Civil War highlighted ideological battles between fascists and loyalists stemming from political instability.
- External support from Italy (Mussolini) and Germany (Hitler) showcased the international implications of rising fascism.

Stalin’s unique adaptation of communism mixed with totalitarianism presented significant internal and external tension.
- Agricultural and industrial reforms were coupled with severe repression of dissenting voices, including mass purges.

Economic crises post-WWI led many nations to embrace radical political ideologies.
The failures of the League of Nations illustrated the inability of international organizations to prevent aggression.
The rise of dictators across Europe and Asia was driven mainly by national restoration sentiment paired with economic needs.