Age of Exploration
What was one major motivation for European nations to explore overseas during the 15th and 16th centuries?
To find new trade routes and gain access to spices, gold, and other resources.
What major shift in thinking occurred during the Renaissance?
Emphasis moved from religious to human-centered (humanist) thought, promoting art, science, and individual potential.
What idea did Enlightenment thinkers promote that influenced revolutions?
The belief in natural rights and government by the consent of the governed.
What was the goal of European imperialism in Africa and Asia?
To control resources and expand economic and political influence.
What economic condition helped fascist leaders rise to power in the 1930s?
The Great Depression caused unemployment and instability, making people seek strong leadership.
How did the Columbian Exchange affect global populations?
It introduced new crops and animals to different continents, leading to population growth and cultural blending.
How did the printing press help spread Reformation ideas?
It enabled rapid reproduction of texts like Luther’s 95 Theses, helping challenge Church authority across Europe.
What role did the Third Estate play in starting the French Revolution?
They demanded political representation and led protests against inequality and taxation.
How did alliances contribute to the outbreak of WWI?
Complex alliances meant that a conflict between two countries quickly involved many nations. (The domino effect)
What event marked the start of WWII in Europe?
Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939
How did European exploration lead to long-term changes in the Americas?
It resulted in colonization, cultural disruption, forced labor systems, and the decimation of Indigenous populations.
What was one long-term impact of Martin Luther’s actions?
He caused a permanent split in the Catholic Church and began the Protestant tradition.
How did industrialization impact workers’ lives in 19th-century cities?
It caused urban crowding, poor working conditions, and child labor, but also increased access to goods.
Why was WWI considered a “total war”?
It involved the mobilization of entire societies and economies, not just militaries.
DOUBLE PTS: How did the Holocaust challenge ideas about modern civilization?
It revealed the dangers of unchecked state power and feelings against a particular group of people under the cover of efficiency and nationalism.
How were the motives of Spanish and Portuguese similar/different during the Age of Exploration.
Both sought wealth and spread of Christianity, but Portugal focused more on trade routes while Spain prioritized empire-building.
How did Renaissance values contribute to the Scientific Revolution?
Renaissance emphasis on questioning and individual reason laid the foundation for scientific inquiry.
How did the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions change society?
Both led to major societal shifts—Scientific Revolution changed how people understood the universe; Industrial Revolution transformed economies and daily life.
How did imperialism set the stage for conflict in the early 20th century?
Competition for colonies created rivalries and tensions between European powers.
How did the use of atomic bombs in WWII affect global politics?
It began the nuclear arms race and defined U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War.
EXAM FREEBIE BONUS: How did the Treaty of Tordesillas impact global colonization?
It divided the non-European world between Spain and Portugal, shaping colonial boundaries and rivalries for centuries.
What is similar in how the Renaissance and Reformation challenged authority?
Both questioned traditional power—Renaissance through classical learning and the arts; Reformation through religious reform.
What were the long-term effects of the French Revolution on global politics?
It spread ideas of nationalism and democracy, inspiring revolutions across Europe and Latin America.
What role did the Treaty of Versailles play in preventing future wars after WWI?
It failed to address root causes and fueled resentment in Germany, contributing to WWII.
What were the forms of government and economic policies of the U.S. and USSR that fueled the Cold War?
The U.S. promoted democracy and capitalism; the USSR sought to expand communism and authoritarian control.