Unit 8 Pt 1
What is the main cause of the Cold War?
Capitalism vs Communism
What is the general trend after WW2 between European empires and their colonies?
(What happened to European Empires with their colonies?)
The disassembly of European Empires
Colonial strides for self determination and independence. Wary and hesitant to trust global powers (fear of being dominated again by another foreign power).
During the 20th century, due to globalization, what happened economically between the rich and poor?
Increased economic inequality between the rich and poor.
Employment levels and personable income generally increased in developing countries. BUT Poor labor conditions, and harsh environmental damage in developing countries.
What is Economic Liberalism? Give an example
Economic liberalization: opening up of economies (nod to Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and free markets); Led some corporations to move where wages, taxes, and regulations were cheaper or fewer; rise in labor exploitation and damage to environment
Ex. Chile (August Pinochet 1974-1990; violent tactics yet opened up free-market)
Ex. China (Deng Xiaoping 1981 opened up China to more economic reforms for more private businesses. 14 major cities opened to foreign investment and trade.
What was the Western-led military alliance system created after WW2? What did it sought out to do?
Bonus: Who did it replace? Why was it different?
NATO- prevent the spread of communism. Militarily support opposition to communism.
League of Nations
Name 2 long term causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union during the late 20th century?
Failures in Proxy Wars- such as the Afghan War. Growing technological gap between U.S. and Soviet military.
Cost of the Arms Race & Space Race between the Soviets and U.S.
Nationalistic uprisings in Eastern Europe
Economy in shambles- failure to house and feed its own people (public outrage)
What 2 innovations/revolutions caused a monumental increase in global population in the 20th century?
Medical innovations: antibiotics, vaccines (polio/measles/smallpox) emphasis on public health.
Green Revolution- used new methods of crossbreeding as well as new fertilizers and irrigation techniques to produce more resistant varieties of grains (that would yield more produce)
What are the differences in the major causes of death experienced by high-income countries versus low-income countries during the early twenty-first century?
Why are there these differences?
Low income countries (lower life expectancy) are dying from Malaria, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, Respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases. (diseases associated with poverty)
High income countries (higher life expectancy)- Heart disease, strokes, cancers, dementia, Alzheimers.
Low income countries do not have the same access to same modern medicine and high income countries are changing lifestyle habits.
What were the 3 WW2 conferences that laid the foundations for the Cold War? (briefly explain each)
Tehran Conference (1943) - Allies agree to an end strategy for WWII - Russia will attack from the east, US and Britain will attack from the West
Yalta Conference (1945) - Allies discuss what to do after WWII in Europe and how to defeat Japan. FDR/US wants free elections and for the USSR to help end the war in the Pacific, Stalin/USSR wants control over Eastern Europe to prevent another Hitler and will help fight Japan if given some islands in the Pacific.
Potsdam Conference (1945) - Allies discuss peace in Europe, and Stalin (who is occupying Eastern Europe) refuses to leave. Germany is split into four sections between Allied powers (Berlin is split as well); tensions between the US and USSR mounts; prelude to Cold War.
Why would some historians argue that the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) marked the beginning of the process of decolonization and dissolution of European colonial empires?
Haitian Revolution- sparked by the desire for Natural Rights (the Enlightenment) leads to ideas of self determination and independence movements.
Haitian Revolution- first non-white colonial revolution. 1st successful slave rebellion.
During the last few decades, how did globalization of the world's economy effect the environment?
Water & Air quality generally improved in developed countries.
Increased environmental awareness
Deterioration/deforestation/desertification in the developing world
What are 3 major causes for these modern changes?
Deforestation: loss of trees due to cutting down land for agriculture. Desertification: overuse of agriculture and removal of natural vegetation in arid lands.
Air and water pollution: decline in quality of air due to fossil fuel pollution.
Increased consumption: of water and resources
Population Growth- Agriculture: more people means more demand for food, which means more crops. This means more deforestation, soil erosion, and decline of habitats for animals and people.
Urbanization: caused by population growth. more cities and larger cities have led to more waste and pollution.
Globalization and Industrialization: as more energy is needed to produce goods, more resources are depleted and pollution is increased.
What is a Proxy War? (definition & explain three examples)
Why would the U.S. and the Soviet Union prefer this type of engagement?
A war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved.
Examples- the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Soviet Afghanistan War.
To avoid a direct military confrontation that could possibly lead to nuclear war
The partition of British India in 1947 created what two new independent states? What was the problem?
New Muslim state of Pakistan & predominantly Hindu state of India.
Causes religious and ethnic tensions and horrible violence that would lead to mass migrations and massacres.
Name and describe major technological advancements in each of the following categories/themes:
Communication/transportation, Agriculture, Energy, & Medicine
COMMUNICATION and TRANSPORTATION: TV and Radio, Cell phones, Social media, Airplane, Cargo planes, Tankers
AGRICULTURE- Green Revolution: used new methods of crossbreeding as well as new fertilizers and irrigation techniques.
ENERGY- Fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas, Nuclear energy, Renewable resources like wind and solar power
MEDICINE- Antibiotics (ex. Penicillin by Alexander Fleming), Birth control, Vaccines
What are 4 effects of the following changes?
Deforestation: loss of trees due to cutting down land for agriculture
Desertification: overuse of agriculture and removal of natural vegetation in arid lands
Air and water pollution: decline in quality of air due to fossil fuel pollution
Increased consumption: of water and resources
Inequality/Scarcity of Resources: pollution of and increased consumption of water leads to shortages, especially in lower income regions
Changes to Atmosphere: increase in greenhouse gases from factories, cars, airplanes, and industrialization
New Energy Sources: new renewable energy like wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal power have become more popular. By 2050 1/2 the worlds power will be from wind and solar.
New Awareness: new “Environmental Cool Club Kids” have emerged! Green Party & Green Belt Movement. Protecting the environment.
Name and explain 4 MAJOR U.S. or Soviet interventions/events during the Cold War. (Not proxy wars)
Bay of Pigs Crisis (1961)-Kennedy/US government gave support to Cuban exiles, who were trained by the CIA to invade Cuba and assassinate Castro; it fails splendidly as Castro literally sees them coming
Berlin Blockade, Airlift, and Berlin Wall- USSR wants to control all of Berlin, so blockades the zones to prevent the West from accessing it/sending supplies. Allies fly supplies over blockade and airdrop necessities to west Berlin. Citizens of East Germany migrate to the West, about 2.5 million; but the USSR views this as a threat to their economy and their pride, so they st up fence and then a permanent wall in 1961
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)-The US and USSR come to the brink of nuclear war during this time, especially when a charge dropped to force a USSR sub to surface almost leads the commander of the submarine to fire. USSR/Khruschev agree to remove missiles in Cuba if the US/Kennedy remove missiles from Turkey.
Space Race- competition between the US and USSR to achieve milestones in space
Arms Race: stockpiling and mass production of nuclear weapons. Mutually Assured Destruction: “even if you win, you lose”. Military-Industrial Complex: close relationship between military and industry that develops weapons, leads to informal alliance between government and large defense contractors
Name and explain 5 examples of decolonization after 1900?
Partition of India 1947- Creation of Pakistan and India
Israel’s Creation: Palestine is split into Palestine (Arab section) and Israel (Jewish section). Leads to a lot of religious and ethnic conflict!!
Canada/Quebec- Quiet Revolution (1960's). Quebec’s attempt at changing social and political policies to separate from British-controlled Canada. Led to expansion of nationalism and some violent terrorist actions in 1963.
Vietnam 1954-War of independence 1954: ends with a treaty that divides Vietnam between communist North and non-communist South; Leads toVietnam War.
Cambodia- Khmer Rouge: Communist guerrilla group that overthrows the government of Cambodia. 1991 UN Agreement: leads to free elections and the creation of a democratic Cambodia
Ghana 1957- West African colony that combines with Togoland to gain independence from Britain, becomes the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 20th century with the help of the UN
Algerian War for Independence from France 1954. Leads to Algerian Civil War in 1991.
Egypt- 1922 Egypt became mostly independent in 1922 after being under control of Ottoman Empire; British have some treaty rights and mandates in Egypt still. 1952 General Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew reigning king of Egypt and established Republic of Egypt. Leads to Suez Crisis 1956. The UN: with the US and USSR helped negotiate an agreement that made the canal an international waterway under Egypt’s sovereignty
Another Unit 8 500 Question (NOT UNIT 9):
Describe the state changes in China pre WW2, during WW2, & Post WW2.
Bonus! Give me 2 examples of Mao Zedong's MAJOR policies.
Pre-WWII: Nationalists and Communists were fighting for control of China. Chaing Kai Shek versus Mao Zedong.
WWII: Japanese occupy parts of China, so Nationalists and Communists put aside their differences to focus on this new foe.
Post-WWII: Chinese Civil War continues, Mao Zedong and his Chinese Communist Party win due to popularity with peasants (they seem less corrupt and more likely to take care of civilians through land reform and educational policies)People’s Republic of China created in 1949
Mao Zedong Policies
Great Leap Forward: (1958) land is reorganized into government controlled agricultural communities (communes); led to extreme starvation and resistance by peasant. 20 million die of starvation. Those who push back against the communes were sent to “reeducation” camps
Give an example of Globalization in each of the Various Realms:
Political, Social, Economic, & Cultural
Political Changes. Moving away from competition via imperialism or Cold War, there is now more cooperation through regional organizations (ex. United Nations). -Non governmental organizations as well- World Bank fighting poverty by giving loans to countries, International Monetary Fund (exchange rates), International Peace Bureau (nuclear disarmament).
Social Changes- People are now more connected - even if virtually so (social media), leading to more conversation and more voices within the discussion on everything from rights, to the environment, to which are the best cat memes.
Economic Changes- Global Brands: some companies become multinational (ex. Apple, Nike, Rolex, Toyota, Amazon, Coca Cola). Online Commerce: trade is easier than ever, where you can buy goods from other countries easily. (Amazon)
Cultural Changes- Popular Culture (1920s), ART/COMMUNICATION (anime, social media, music), Sports (Olympics, World Cup), Religion (new forms and non believers).