Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution
Who is Karl Marx? What system did he create and why?
Karl Marx was the founder of communism. He created this ideology after witnessing the poor treatment of workers under capitalism.
What was the Berlin Confernce?
The Berlin Conference was a meeting of the European Powers to divide up Africa along imperialistic lines.
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism is the belief that a particular ethnic group has the right to form its own nation through self-determination. Generally, this also leads to those ethnic groups believing they are inherently better than others.
What is Antisemitism? Why is it important during the Interwar Period?
Antisemitism is prejudice against Jewish people. This hateful ideology is important during the Interwar Period because Hitler was able to use fear and prejudice towards Jews to assist him in his rise to power. This eventually led to the Holocaust.
What event started World War II in Europe? What about in the Pacific? (Include dates for a bonus!)
Invasion of Poland - 1939
Pearl Harbor - 1941
Outside of the French Revolution, name at least two revolutions that occurred as a result of the Enlightenment.
Haitian Revolution
Spanish American Revolution
American Revolution
What were the Opium Wars? What were their effects?
The Opium Wars were a series of wars between China and the West (primarily Britain) which focused on opening Chinese markets to the West, allowing the free flow of opium into China and the free trade of Chinese goods to Europe. This eventually led to the Europeans establishing Spheres of Influence in China.
How did warfare change in World War I?
World War I was the first industrialized war, meaning that machines helped mass produce weapons and ammunition. Machines also made weapons more effective, leaving many dead and creating deadly weapons like chemical gas. Finally, tactics lagged behind technology which meant that Trench Warfare became the primary means of battle.
Who was Mustafa Kemal Ataturk? Why is he important?
He was the leader of a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire and founded the modern state of Turkey. He is responsible for introducing a number of reforms to Turkey, known as Kemalism, including western customs, industrial expansion, and a new alphabet.
What organization was formed after the Second World War? Why?
The United Nations was formed to help maintain peace across the globe.
What is Laissez-Faire? Who created this principle and what does it mean?
Laissez-Fiare literally means "let it be." It was a capitalist principle created by Adam Smith which stated that the government should not involve itself in economic affairs.
How did the Meiji Restoration change Japan? (Include at least two key terms)
The isolationist Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown by Emperor Meiji during the Meiji Restoration. This coincided with the arrival of Americans under Commodore Matthew Perry who forced the Japanese to open their markets to the West. These two factors allowed Japan to industrialize and Westernize quickly, which put them in a position to dominate Asia militarily and politically.
What was the Treaty of Versailles? What were its effects? (Name at least 2 key terms)
The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty that ended the First World War in 1918.
League of Nations - a failed international organization meant to prevent conflict
War Reparations - Germany was forced to pay war reparations to the Allies
What was the Mandate System? How did it come about?
The Mandate System was a system of colonial rule in the British and French Middle East. It was created after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and World War I when British and French forces were able to gain control of the region.
What were the two alliances established in World War II? Name some nations involved on each side.
Axis - Germany, Japan, Italy
Allies - United States, Soviet Union, Britain, France, China
John Locke was an English Enlightenment thinker. He created the principle of Natural Rights, that all men are born with the right to life, liberty, and property. Additionally, he created the Social Contract, the idea that the government derives its power from the people and therefore must protect the natural rights of the citizen.
What was Japan's international position after the Meiji Restoration? (Use at least 3 key terms to explain your answer)
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan was able to Westernize and gained power equal to the Western Powers. Japan became a World Power after the Russo-Japanese War. Additionally, they embarked upon a mission of Japanese Imperialism in the First and Second Sino-Japanese Wars against China in order to gain resources.
What were the two alliances in World War I? How did they change over time? Name some members from each side.
Triple Entente - Britain, France, Japan, Russia (until 1917), United States (after 1917)
Central Powers - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire
What was the Great Depression?
The Great Depression was a collapse of the World Economic System. It began as a result of the economic damage caused by World War I, Treaty of Versailles, and the Wall Street Crash of 1929. This led to hyper inflation, over production, and stagnation.
When and where were the first atomic bombs used? How did they change the world?
The first use of the atomic bombs took place in 1945 when the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These attacks were devastating and ended World War II. They also created the idea of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) which led to the Cold War and the Arms Race.
What changed in France as a result of the French Revolution? (Name at least two key terms)
The absolute monarchy in France, led by Louis XVI, was abolished and the king was executed. This brought about a republic in France that was dedicated to protecting the rights of citizens. After the Reign of Terror, Napoleon took over France and conquered much of Europe. He was eventually defeated, resulting in the Congress of Vienna that reestablished the political order of Europe prior to the Revolution.
What was the Boxer Rebellion? What was its impact on China? (Use at least two key terms)
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-western rebellion of Chinese peoples against Western economic and military forces in China. The rebellion ultimately failed, cementing the Chinese Century of Humiliation and weakening the power of Dowager Empress Cixi. This caused China to lose the First Sino-Japanese War with Japan and eventually caused the fall of the Qing Dynasty in the 1911 Revolution.
What were the causes of World War I? (You must name all five and explain each)
Militarism - Every country was building up its military, leading to aggression
Alliances - The chain of alliances helped turn a regional conflict into a world war
Nationalism - Desire for Self-Determination among nationalist serbs started the First World War
Imperialism - Competition for resources between the World Powers helped lead to World War I
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand - The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir by a Serbian led to conflict between the two countries
How did Hitler rise to power in Germany? (Mention at least two key terms that led to his rise)
Due to the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles and the war reparations that plagued the German economy, the democracy established after WWI was weak. Antisemitism also grew in the period. The chaos brought on by the Great Depression further divided Germany, allowing Hitler to seize control of Germany in 1933.
What was the legacy of the Holocaust after WWII? (Name at least 2 key terms associated with the legacy of the Holocaust)
Nuremberg Trials - Established international laws to protect civilians from warcrimes and genocide
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Established by the United Nations to give inherent human rights to all peoples