World History Midterm Study Guide

Course: 20th Century World History
Theme Frameworks:
1. Utopia/Dystopia — competing visions of the future (communism, fascism, liberal
democracy).
2. The Long War (1914–1991) — WWI, WWII, Cold War as one extended global
struggle.
3. Decolonization & the Global South — roots of independence movements in the
interwar and WWII periods.
4. The End of History? — whether the 20th century pointed toward liberal triumph or
ongoing conflict.
Exam Structure:
• Identifiers (30 listed here; 15 will appear, you answer 10) → 3 pts each
• Short Answer (10 listed here; 5 will appear, you answer 2) → 15 pts each
• Essay (5 listed here; 3 will appear, you answer 1) → 40 pts
Bring one handwritten 4’’x 6’’ index card with any notes. Collected after the test.
If you’re reading this far: email me one short answer and one essay suggestion. If enough
students vote for it, I’ll remove it from the exam.
I. Identifiers (Who, What, When, Where, Why)
Answer in 1–2 sentences.
1. Labor movements and strikes (late 19th century)
2. Karl Marx
3. Jacob Riis
4. “The Sick Man of Europe”
5. Scramble for Africa
6. Penicillin
7. Otto von Bismarck & “Blood and Iron”
8. Balfour Declaration
9. Wright Brothers
10. Archduke Franz Ferdinand
11. Trench Warfare
12. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
13. League of Nations
14. Russian Revolution (1917)
15. Vladimir Lenin

16. Joseph Stalin
17. Benito Mussolini
18. Adolf Hitler
19. Five-Year Plans
20. Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)
21. Munich Agreement (1938)
22. Winston Churchill
23. Blitzkrieg
24. Franklin Roosevelt
25. Holocaust / Final Solution
26. Midway (1942)
27. Stalingrad (1942-43)
28. Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
29. Theory of Relativity
30. United Nations (1945)
II. Short Answer (4–7 sentences each; 10 listed, 5 appear,
you answer 2)
1. How did industrialization create both utopian dreams of progress and dystopian realities
for workers and colonized peoples? Provide examples.
2. What were the main causes of World War I? Explain how alliances, militarism,
imperialism, and nationalism combined to ignite the conflict.
3. Compare Wilson’s Fourteen Points to the Treaty of Versailles. How did they reflect
different visions of peace?
4. How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of socialism throughout the world?
5. Explain the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany. What social and economic conditions
enabled it?
6. Briefly explore the rise of modern medicine in the 20th century, how did change standards
of living throughout the world?
7. Discuss the Spanish Civil War as a “dress rehearsal” for World War II.
8. Why was the Holocaust unique in world history, and how does it fit into the theme of
Utopia/Dystopia?
9. Which battle or campaign (e.g., Stalingrad, Midway, D-Day, El Alamein) was the true
turning point of World War II, why?
10. Why was the United Nations created in 1945, and how did it differ from the League of
Nations?

III. Essay (at least 25 sentences / 300 words each; 5 listed, 3
appear, you answer 1)
1. Industrialization and Its Malcontents:
Analyze how industrialization shaped the early 20th century, both in Europe and the
colonized world. Consider technological progress, class struggles, and colonial
exploitation. Connect to Utopia/Dystopia.
2. World War I as the First Total War:
The first great event of our class was WWI. Please explore how WWI began, as well as
discuss trench warfare, and new technology. How did the war shape the rest of the
century?
3. Treaty of Versailles and the Inter-war Period:
To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles and the failures of the interwar period lead
directly to the Global Great Depression and World War II?
4. The Rise of Totalitarianism:
Compare and contrast fascism in Italy and Germany with Stalinist communism in the
USSR. How did each present itself as a utopian vision, and how did they create dystopian
realities?
5. The Holocaust and the Crisis of Modernity:
Examine how the Holocaust reflected the dangers of modern industrial society,
bureaucracy, and ideology. Discuss its lasting significance in shaping global human
rights discourse

1. Labor movements and strikes (late 19th century)
Workers in Europe and the United States organized unions and went on strike in the late 1800s to demand fair wages, shorter hours, and safer conditions. These movements spread through industrial cities as a reaction to exploitation during industrialization.

2. Karl Marx
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist who co-wrote The Communist Manifesto in 1848, calling for workers to overthrow capitalist systems. His ideas inspired socialism and communism across Europe and beyond.

3. Jacob Riis
Jacob Riis was a Danish-American journalist and photographer in New York City during the 1890s who exposed poor living conditions in tenements through his book How the Other Half Lives. His work pushed for social reform and housing improvements.

4. “The Sick Man of Europe”
This phrase referred to the declining Ottoman Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries. European powers used the term as they competed for its territory during its collapse.

5. Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa was the European colonization of African territories between 1884 and 1914. It was driven by competition for resources and power, formalized at the Berlin Conference.

6. Penicillin
Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 in Britain, was the first true antibiotic. It revolutionized medicine by curing bacterial infections and saving millions of lives, especially during World War II.

7. Otto von Bismarck & “Blood and Iron”
Bismarck was the Prussian chancellor who unified Germany in the 1860s–1870s through wars and strong leadership. His “Blood and Iron” speech emphasized military power and industrial strength over diplomacy.

8. Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration was a 1917 statement by Britain supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine. It later influenced the creation of Israel and deepened Middle Eastern tensions.

9. Wright Brothers
Orville and Wilbur Wright were American inventors who made the first successful powered flight in North Carolina in 1903. Their achievement began the age of aviation and modern air travel.

10. Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914. His death triggered World War I through a chain of alliances and political tensions.

11. Trench Warfare
Trench warfare was a military strategy used mainly on the Western Front of World War I from 1914–1918. Soldiers lived in dugout trenches facing horrific conditions and stalemate battles.

12. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in France in 1919, officially ending World War I. It punished Germany with reparations and territorial losses, creating anger that helped spark World War II.

13. League of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization created in 1920 to prevent future wars. It failed to stop aggression in the 1930s due to weak enforcement and lack of U.S. support.

14. Russian Revolution (1917)
The Russian Revolution occurred in 1917 when the Bolsheviks overthrew the Tsarist regime in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). It created the world’s first communist government under Lenin.

15. Vladimir Lenin
Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party who led the Russian Revolution in 1917. He established a communist state and withdrew Russia from World War I.

16. Joseph Stalin
Stalin was the dictator of the Soviet Union from the 1920s until 1953. He turned the USSR into a totalitarian state through industrialization, purges, and strict political control.

17. Benito Mussolini
Mussolini was the fascist leader of Italy who came to power in 1922. He promoted nationalism and dictatorship, inspiring other fascist movements like Nazi Germany.

18. Adolf Hitler
Hitler was the Nazi dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He started World War II and led the Holocaust, aiming to create a racially “pure” empire.

19. Five-Year Plans
The Five-Year Plans were economic programs introduced by Stalin in the late 1920s to industrialize the Soviet Union rapidly. They focused on heavy industry and agriculture but caused hardship and famine.

20. Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)
The Spanish Civil War was a conflict between leftist Republicans and right-wing Nationalists led by Franco. It became a testing ground for fascist powers before World War II.

21. Munich Agreement (1938)
The Munich Agreement was a deal in which Britain and France allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia. It represented appeasement and failed to prevent World War II.

22. Winston Churchill
Churchill was the British Prime Minister during World War II. He is known for his leadership and speeches that inspired resistance against Nazi Germany.

23. Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, meaning “lightning war,” was Germany’s fast, coordinated attack strategy using tanks, planes, and infantry. It was first used successfully in Poland and France during World War II.

24. Franklin Roosevelt
Roosevelt was the U.S. President from 1933 to 1945. He led the country through the Great Depression with the New Deal and through most of World War II.

25. Holocaust / Final Solution
The Holocaust was Nazi Germany’s systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of others between 1941 and 1945. It showed the dangers of modern ideology and totalitarianism.

26. Midway (1942)
The Battle of Midway was a naval battle in the Pacific in 1942 where the U.S. defeated Japan. It marked a turning point in World War II by shifting momentum to the Allies.

27. Stalingrad (1942–43)
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major Soviet victory against Germany in southern Russia. It stopped Hitler’s advance east and became a turning point in the European war.

28. Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on these Japanese cities in August 1945. The bombings ended World War II but caused massive civilian casualties and began the nuclear age.

29. Theory of Relativity
Proposed by Albert Einstein in the early 1900s, the Theory of Relativity changed how scientists understood time, space, and gravity. It revolutionized modern physics and technology.

30. United Nations (1945)
The United Nations was founded in 1945 in San Francisco to promote peace, human rights, and global cooperation. It replaced the League of Nations and still operates today.

1. How did industrialization create both utopian dreams of progress and dystopian realities for workers and colonized peoples? Provide examples.
Industrialization promised a utopian vision of progress, efficiency, and wealth through new technologies like steam engines and factories. In Europe, it led to urban growth and improved transportation. However, it also created dystopian conditions for factory workers, who faced long hours, low pay, and unsafe environments. Child labor and poor housing made life difficult for many in industrial cities. In colonized regions, industrialization fueled exploitation as European powers extracted raw materials and used cheap labor to feed their factories. While industrialization improved some aspects of life, it also deepened inequality and global suffering.

2. What were the main causes of World War I? Explain how alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism combined to ignite the conflict.
World War I began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but deeper causes had built up for decades. European countries formed military alliances like the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, creating a web of mutual defense. Militarism caused nations to glorify war and build huge armies, while imperialism made them compete for colonies and power. Nationalism created pride and rivalry, especially in the Balkans where ethnic tensions were high. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, alliances pulled in other nations, turning a regional conflict into a global war.

3. Compare Wilson’s Fourteen Points to the Treaty of Versailles. How did they reflect different visions of peace?
President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points proposed peace based on fairness, self-determination, and collective security through a League of Nations. His plan aimed to prevent future wars by addressing root causes rather than punishing any nation. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, took a harsher approach, blaming Germany for the war and demanding heavy reparations and territorial losses. While Wilson’s vision was idealistic and focused on cooperation, the treaty reflected European desires for revenge and security. These differences created resentment in Germany and weakened long-term peace efforts.

4. How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of socialism throughout the world?
The Great Depression of the 1930s caused massive unemployment, poverty, and loss of faith in capitalism. Many people looked to socialism for solutions because it promised government control over industries and protection for workers. In countries like the Soviet Union, communism seemed successful in avoiding the same economic collapse seen in the West. Socialist and labor movements gained popularity across Europe and Latin America. The crisis showed the dangers of an unregulated economy and encouraged many to support stronger state involvement in society.

5. Explain the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany. What social and economic conditions enabled it?
Fascism rose in Italy and Germany after World War I due to economic hardship, political instability, and fear of communism. Italy felt betrayed by the war’s outcome, and Germany faced humiliation from the Treaty of Versailles. Both countries suffered from unemployment and inflation, which created anger and desperation among citizens. Leaders like Mussolini and Hitler used propaganda, nationalism, and promises of revival to gain support. The failure of democratic governments to solve these problems allowed fascist movements to take power and build totalitarian states.

6. Briefly explore the rise of modern medicine in the 20th century, how did it change standards of living throughout the world?
The 20th century saw major advances in medicine, such as the discovery of penicillin, vaccines, and new surgical techniques. These developments drastically reduced deaths from infectious diseases and increased life expectancy. Public health campaigns improved sanitation and access to clean water. In many countries, hospitals became more organized, and doctors could treat illnesses that were once fatal. As a result, global living standards improved, and populations grew rapidly.

7. Discuss the Spanish Civil War as a “dress rehearsal” for World War II.
The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) served as a testing ground for the weapons and tactics used in World War II. Fascist powers like Germany and Italy supported Francisco Franco’s Nationalists, while the Soviet Union aided the Republicans. Germany tested its new air force by bombing cities like Guernica. The war revealed the growing divide between fascism and democracy in Europe. When Franco won, it signaled the rising strength of authoritarian regimes that would soon lead to global conflict.

8. Why was the Holocaust unique in world history, and how does it fit into the theme of Utopia/Dystopia?
The Holocaust was unique because it was an industrialized, state-organized genocide aimed at exterminating entire groups of people. Nazi ideology portrayed Jews and others as threats to a “perfect” society, turning a utopian vision of racial purity into a dystopian reality of mass murder. Modern technology, such as trains and gas chambers, made killing efficient and impersonal. The Holocaust exposed how modern systems could be used for destruction instead of progress. It remains a warning about the dangers of ideology and total control.

9. Which battle or campaign (e.g., Stalingrad, Midway, D-Day, El Alamein) was the true turning point of World War II, why?
The Battle of Stalingrad was the true turning point of World War II because it ended Germany’s advance into the Soviet Union. Fought between 1942 and 1943, it resulted in heavy losses for both sides but a decisive Soviet victory. After Stalingrad, Germany began retreating, and the Allies gained momentum in Europe. The battle also boosted Soviet morale and shifted the balance of power on the Eastern Front. It marked the beginning of the end for Hitler’s army.

10. Why was the United Nations created in 1945, and how did it differ from the League of Nations?
The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II to maintain peace, protect human rights, and promote international cooperation. It replaced the League of Nations, which had failed to stop aggression before the war. The UN was stronger because it included major powers like the United States and had a Security Council with authority to act militarily. It also focused on economic development and humanitarian aid. The organization became a central force in global diplomacy throughout the 20th century.

Industrialization dramatically shaped the early 20th century, bringing both progress and profound social challenges. In Europe, new technologies like steam engines, electricity, and mechanized factories transformed the economy and daily life. People could produce goods faster, transportation improved, and cities expanded rapidly. Industrialization created a sense of progress that seemed almost utopian, promising wealth and a better standard of living. However, these technological advances also produced significant class struggles. Workers often endured long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions, which fueled labor movements and strikes. Industrialists and factory owners grew richer while many laborers remained in poverty, highlighting economic inequality and social tension.

Meanwhile, in colonized regions, industrialization in Europe intensified exploitation abroad. Colonies provided raw materials like cotton, rubber, and minerals to feed European factories, often at the cost of local communities. Indigenous populations were forced into labor or displaced from their lands, generating severe social disruption. The profits of industrialization rarely benefited the colonized, creating a dystopian reality that contrasted sharply with the industrial utopia envisioned in Europe. Colonized societies also experienced environmental degradation and cultural disruption due to the extraction of resources and imposition of foreign technologies.

Industrialization’s influence extended to cultural and intellectual life as well. European thinkers and writers debated the benefits and harms of rapid industrial change. Some imagined utopias of technological abundance, while others depicted dystopias where human life became dehumanized and inequality deepened. This duality reflected the lived experiences of people on both sides of industrial progress. Cities were bustling centers of innovation but also overcrowded and polluted. Colonized regions were exploited economically and socially, reinforcing global inequalities. Overall, industrialization shaped the early 20th century as a period of innovation and oppression. It brought advances that promised a better world but also deepened class divisions and colonial exploitation, highlighting the tension between utopian ideals and dystopian realities.

World War I marked a turning point in global history as the first total war, involving entire nations and societies in unprecedented ways. The war began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, which triggered a chain of alliances and political tensions across Europe. Nationalism, militarism, and imperial rivalries also contributed to the outbreak, creating a situation where a regional conflict quickly escalated into a global war. Nations mobilized millions of soldiers and civilians, blurring the lines between home fronts and battlefields, which defined the concept of total war.

Trench warfare became a defining feature of the conflict, especially on the Western Front. Soldiers dug extensive networks of trenches to protect themselves from machine guns and artillery, living in harsh conditions that included mud, disease, and constant danger. Life in the trenches was grueling, and many soldiers experienced trauma that would later be called “shell shock.” The stalemate created by trench warfare made victories difficult and prolonged the war, resulting in massive casualties and widespread destruction.

New technologies transformed the battlefield and intensified the war’s impact. Machine guns, poison gas, tanks, and airplanes introduced new forms of killing that made combat more deadly than ever before. Submarines and long-range artillery also changed strategies and threatened civilian populations, showing that technological innovation could increase the scale of human suffering. These innovations set the stage for future conflicts and shaped military strategy for the rest of the century.

The effects of World War I extended far beyond the battlefield. The war redrew national borders, toppled empires, and created political instability in Europe. Economically, countries were drained, and social unrest grew, including labor strikes and revolutionary movements. Culturally, the war influenced art, literature, and philosophy, inspiring works that reflected disillusionment and trauma. Globally, it reshaped colonial relationships, as colonies contributed troops and resources while demanding greater autonomy afterward. The total nature of the conflict demonstrated how modern warfare could engulf entire societies and left a legacy that influenced World War II and the political, social, and technological developments of the 20th century.

The rise of totalitarianism in the early 20th century reshaped Europe and the world, as leaders used extreme political ideologies to gain control and promise a better future. Fascism in Italy and Germany and Stalinist communism in the USSR all claimed to offer utopian visions, though they differed in ideology and methods. In Italy, Benito Mussolini promoted fascism as a way to restore national pride and unity after World War I. He emphasized loyalty to the state, militarism, and the revival of Italy’s greatness. Similarly, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany promised to create a pure, strong nation by appealing to nationalism, racial identity, and economic recovery after the Treaty of Versailles. Both fascist movements presented themselves as paths to a utopian future where the nation would prosper and social divisions would disappear.

In the USSR, Joseph Stalin promoted communism as a utopian vision of equality, claiming that rapid industrialization and collective agriculture would create a classless society. Propaganda emphasized the elimination of private wealth, the power of workers, and the creation of a strong, modern nation. Stalin also used education, media, and censorship to instill loyalty and reshape culture in line with his vision. Unlike fascism, which relied on nationalism and racial identity, Stalinist communism focused on class struggle and the collective good, though it shared similar methods of centralized control and suppression of dissent.

Despite these utopian promises, all three regimes created dystopian realities. In Italy and Germany, fascism suppressed political opposition, controlled the media, and persecuted minorities, leading to violence, war, and oppression. Hitler’s regime, in particular, carried out the Holocaust, resulting in the deaths of millions and a climate of terror. In the USSR, Stalin’s policies caused widespread famine, forced labor, and the Great Purge, where millions were executed or imprisoned for perceived disloyalty. Citizens faced constant surveillance, fear, and loss of personal freedom, showing that the promised utopias were built on coercion and suffering.

Ultimately, these totalitarian regimes demonstrate the tension between vision and reality. Each promised a better world but relied on extreme control, propaganda, and violence. Fascism and Stalinist communism both show how political ideology can create hope while simultaneously producing fear and oppression. The utopian promises attracted mass support, yet the dystopian outcomes reveal the human cost of unchecked power and authoritarian rule.

The Holocaust represents one of the most extreme consequences of modern industrial society, bureaucracy, and ideology. It occurred during World War II, when Nazi Germany systematically murdered six million Jews and millions of other targeted groups, including Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents. Modern technology and industrial methods made this genocide possible on an unprecedented scale. Trains transported victims efficiently to concentration camps, and gas chambers and crematoria allowed for mass killings. The use of industrial organization shows how modern society’s tools, meant to improve life, could be twisted to commit atrocities.

Bureaucracy also played a crucial role in the Holocaust. Nazi officials meticulously recorded, planned, and coordinated the deportation and extermination of millions. Ordinary civil servants, accountants, and police officers participated in these processes, demonstrating how a bureaucratic system can normalize cruelty when guided by ideology. Ideology itself justified the Holocaust, as Nazis promoted beliefs in racial purity, anti-Semitism, and social Darwinism. These ideas dehumanized victims, presenting mass murder as a rational, even necessary, act to achieve a “better” society.

The Holocaust’s impact extends far beyond the 1940s, influencing global thought about human rights and ethics. After the war, the world responded by creating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and establishing international courts to prosecute crimes against humanity. It forced nations to confront the consequences of unchecked ideology, the misuse of modern systems, and the dangers of treating individuals as mere cogs in a bureaucratic machine. Education about the Holocaust today serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance against hatred, authoritarianism, and the dehumanization of others.

Ultimately, the Holocaust highlights the dark side of modernity. It shows that technological and organizational advances, when combined with extreme ideology, can facilitate unimaginable suffering. Studying this tragedy ensures that societies recognize the moral responsibilities inherent in modern power and governance. Remembering the Holocaust reinforces the importance of protecting human dignity, preventing systemic violence, and promoting justice in the modern world.