4 - World History from 1750 C.E. to Present Flashcards
This deck offers a comprehensive overview of major global events from the 18th century to the early 21st century. It delves into revolutions, nationalism, imperialism, and social reforms, the World Wars and their consequences, the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes, the Cold War, decolonization, globalization, and the impact of modern technology and global conflicts.
Identify:
5 causes of revolutions.
1750 C.E. to 1914 C.E.
- Enlightenment Ideas
- Growing disparities between the rich and poor
- Economic crises, such as inflation and unemployment
- Political Oppression
- Nationalism
Explain:
How did Enlightenment ideas inspire revolutions between 1750 and 1914?
- Argued that rulers derived their authority from the consent of the governed, not divine right. This challenged the legitimacy of absolute monarchies.
- Ideas of popular sovereignty and representative government gained traction, leading to demands for republican forms of government.
- Philosophers like John Locke emphasized natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
- The concept of a social contract between the government and the people suggested that governments should protect the rights of citizens.
Explain:
What are the causes of nationalism?
1750 C.E. to 1914 C.E.
- Enlightenment ideas and Romantic movements fostered a sense of national identity and pride.
- Revolutions, industrialization, and imperialism inspired nationalist movements and challenged traditional authority.
- Shared language, culture, history, and religion united people and strengthened nationalistic bonds.
Explain:
What is the significance of imperialism?
1750 C.E. -1914 C.E.
- Imperial powers sought to exploit resources, create new markets, and secure cheap labor in their colonies.
- Enhanced the political and military power of imperial nations, shaping the global balance of power and leading to geopolitical rivalries.
- The interaction between imperial powers and colonized peoples led to the exchange of ideas, technologies, and cultures, influencing global culture and society.
- Resulted in the exploitation and oppression of colonized peoples, leading to resistance movements, nationalism, and ultimately, decolonization.
Identify:
4 causes of the French Revolution.
- Economic hardship due to national debt and high taxes.
- Social inequality between the estates, particularly the burden on the Third Estate.
- Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty, equality, and democracy.
- Political corruption and the ineffective leadership of King Louis XVI.
Explain:
What actions did the National Assembly take during the French Revolution?
- Consisting of those middle and lower class individuals who represented the common people, they established the first reforms of the French Revolution.
- They made the first break with the old regime in the Tennis Court Oath and then proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man, outlining the goals of the new government.
Describe:
The Reign of Terror and its significance.
- Period of extreme violence during the French Revolution marked by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution.
- Significantly shaped the revolution’s radical phase and led to political instability and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Describe:
How did Napoleon Bonaparte’s military strategies and campaigns influence the course of European history in the early 19th century?
- His innovative tactics, such as the use of corps system and rapid maneuvers, revolutionized military strategy and led to numerous significant victories.
- His campaigns redrew the map of Europe, spreading revolutionary ideals and leading to the eventual rise of nationalism and reshaping of political boundaries.
Explain:
In what ways did Napoleon’s legal and administrative reforms impact the legal systems and governance structures in Europe and beyond?
- Established principles of equality before the law, property rights, and secular legal frameworks, influencing many modern legal systems.
- Administrative reforms centralized authority and improved efficiency, setting precedents for modern state governance and bureaucratic structures.
Example: Napoleonic Code
Identify:
What were the key factors that led to the rise and eventual downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte?
Rise:
- Military prowess
- Political acumen
- Instability of revolutionary France, which allowed him to seize power
Downfall:
- Overextension in military campaigns, particularly the disastrous invasion of Russia, and the coalition of European powers against him.
- Led to his exile and the eventual restoration of monarchies at the Congress of Vienna.
Explain:
How did the contrasting political ideologies of conservatism, liberalism, and nationalism shape the political landscape and social reforms in 19th-century Europe?
- Conservatism: preserved traditional institutions and monarchies, resisted rapid social changes.
- Liberalism and nationalism: promoted ideas of individual freedoms, representative government, and self-determination.
Example: Led to movements such as the Revolutions of 1848 and the unification processes in Germany and Italy. Also led to events such as the Congress of Vienna aimed at restoring pre-revolutionary order.
Explain:
How do the principles of socialism address the issue of economic inequality?
- Aimed to reduce economic inequality by advocating for the redistribution of wealth through progressive taxation, social welfare programs, and public ownership of key industries.
- Prevented the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few individuals or corporations by promoting collective ownership and control of the means of production (factories, land, etc.).
Explain:
What were the primary causes and long-term impacts of the Latin American revolutions of the early 19th century?
- Desired independence from Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule.
- Influenced by Enlightenment ideas and the success of other revolutions such as the American and French Revolutions.
- Led to the establishment of independent nations, significantly altering political structures by ending colonial administrations.
Explain:
Why were there many revolutions in Europe in 1848?
- Widespread economic distress, including food shortages due to poor harvests, high unemployment, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution, led to widespread dissatisfaction among the working classes and peasants.
- Growing discontent with autocratic rule, lack of political freedoms, and the influence of nationalist and liberal ideas inspired various social groups.
Explain:
Significance of the Crimean War.
- Redefined European Alliances: The Crimean War led to the reorganization of alliances, weakening the Concert of Europe and setting the stage for future conflicts, including the rise of nationalism.
- End of Russian Expansion: The war marked a significant setback for Russian ambitions in the Black Sea region, limiting its influence and prompting reforms within the Russian Empire.
- Advances in Warfare and Medicine: The conflict highlighted the need for modern military strategies and medical care, leading to innovations such as the use of field hospitals and improved battlefield medicine.
Identify:
Who was Alexander II of Russia and what were his achievements?
- Tsar of Russia during the Crimean War.
- Improved railroads, freed the serfs, opened up freedom of the press, created local assemblies, and increased access to schools.
Explain:
What were the key factors that prompted Japan’s rapid Westernization during the Meiji Era?
- Desired to prevent colonization, emulate Western technological and military advancements, and modernize its economy.
- Replaced the feudal system with a centralized government and constitutional monarchy.
- Modernized its economy through industrialization and infrastructure development.
- Altered its social structures by adopting Western education, legal systems, and cultural practices, while diminishing the power of the samurai class.
Explain:
What were the driving forces behind Japanese imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
- Desired economic resources, military expansion, and national prestige.
- Influenced by Western imperialist models and the need to secure Japan’s position as a regional power.
- Significantly altered East Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, led to conflicts such as the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars.
- Contributed to regional instability and the eventual outbreak of World War II in the Pacific.
Explain:
How did European imperialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries shape global economic systems and socio-political structures in the colonized regions?
- Established global economic systems centered around resource extraction and trade to benefit the colonizers.
- Imposed new socio-political structures that often disrupted and reshaped the indigenous societies in the colonized regions.
Explain:
What were the motivations behind American imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
- Driven by economic interests, strategic considerations, and the belief in Manifest Destiny.
- Reshaped the political and economic landscapes of territories such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Hawaii by integrating them into the U.S. sphere of influence and transforming their governance and economies.
Explain:
How did the conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Empire come to its conclusion?
- Ottoman massacre of rebelling Slavic Christians prompted Russia to intervene and defeat the Turks at the Siege of Pleven.
- Treaty of San Stefano expanded Russian control, but European powers, wary of Russia’s growing influence, forced the Treaty of Berlin, which reallocated much of the Ottoman Empire’s territory while awarding Russia lands in the Caucasus.
Explain:
What were the long-term geopolitical and socio-economic impacts of the Berlin Conference on the African continent and global colonial dynamics?
- Established the framework for the partition of Africa among European powers.
- Led to significant geopolitical reconfigurations and long-term socio-economic challenges for the African continent due to arbitrary borders and exploitative colonial practices.
Explain:
How did the rise of New Imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries transform the political, economic, and social landscapes of Asian countries?
- Led to the exploitation of Asian resources and markets.
- European powers established colonies and spheres of influence that disrupted traditional economies and imposed foreign economic systems.
- The political landscape was altered by the imposition of colonial rule and borders, which often exacerbated regional conflicts, suppressed local autonomy, and introduced new social hierarchies and governance structures.
Explain:
How was World War I unique in terms of its methods of warfare and military technology?
- Extensive use of trench warfare, created static front lines and led to grueling and protracted battles.
- Introduced new military technologies and tactics, including machine guns, tanks, poison gas, and aircraft, which significantly changed combat strategies.
- Involved massive mobilization of national economies and resources, with unprecedented scale and destruction impacting both soldiers and civilians.
Explain:
Ideological causes of WWI.
- Nationalism: Intense nationalistic feelings, particularly among the Slavic peoples in the Balkans, fueled tensions and rivalries between nations.
- Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies and spheres of influence, leading to increased tensions and rivalries.
- Militarism: The arms race among European powers, fueled by nationalism and imperialism, created a climate of fear and suspicion.
Explain:
Economic causes of WWI.
- Imperial Competition: European powers competed for colonies and markets, leading to increased tensions and rivalries.
- Arms Race: The arms race among European powers was driven by economic factors, as nations sought to maintain their military superiority and protect their economic interests.
Explain:
Political causes of WWI.
- Alliance System: The formation of complex alliances between European powers created a rigid system where an attack on one nation could trigger a chain reaction of war.
- Colonial Rivalry: European powers competed for colonies and spheres of influence, leading to increased tensions and rivalries.
- The July Crisis: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist sparked a diplomatic crisis.
Explain:
What were the major political, economic, and social consequences of World War I on the global stage?
- Led to the collapse of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian, and German), the redrawing of national borders, and the rise of new political ideologies, including communism and fascism.
- Caused widespread economic disruption, including massive debts and inflation, and led to significant economic shifts as countries transitioned from wartime economies to peacetime recovery.
Identify:
Causes of the Russian Revolution in 1905.
- Autocratic rule under Tsar Nicholas II
- Lack of political freedoms
- Ineffective governance
- Severe economic inequality
- Military failures
Explain:
What were the key factors that contributed to the rise of the Soviet Union?
- Emerged from the 1917 Russian Revolution and Civil War.
- Established a communist state under Lenin and later Stalin, who implemented rapid industrialization and centralized control, consolidating power and expanding influence.
Identify:
Main events of the Russian Revolution.
- The Revolution of 1905 in which workers tried to achieve mild reforms but ultimately failed.
- The February Revolution which established a democracy in Russia.
- The October Revolution which established a Communist government and abolished democracy.
Explain:
What were the key factors and agreements that led to the end of World War I and how did they shape the post-war geopolitical landscape?
- Marked by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Agreements imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on the Central Powers.
- Redrew national boundaries.
- Set the stage for significant geopolitical shifts and tensions leading to future conflicts.
Identify::
6 factors that led to the rise of totalitarian states.
1900 C.E. to 1945 C.E.
- Political turmoil
- Weak democratic institutions
- Ineffective governments
- Global economic crisis
- Threat of communism
- Extreme nationalist and xenophobic sentiments
All these factors fueled fears and anxieties, leading people to seek strong leaders who promised stability and order.
Identify:
What were the primary causes and significant global impacts of World War II?
Causes:
- Unresolved issues from World War I
- Rise of totalitarian regimes
- Aggressive expansionist policies
Impacts:
- Redrawing of borders
- Establishment of the United Nations
- Onset of the Cold War
Explain:
How did the alliances formed during World War II shape the geopolitical landscape of the post-war world?
- Led to the division of Europe into Western and Soviet spheres of influence.
- Establishment of NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Explain:
What were the major technological and tactical innovations during World War II, and how did they influence the outcome of the war?
- Innovations during World War II included radar, jet engines, and the development of nuclear weapons.
- Enhanced military capabilities and provided strategic advantages to the Allies.
- Tactical innovations, such as blitzkrieg warfare and amphibious assaults, allowed for rapid and decisive military operations.
Explain:
Ideological causes and consequences of the Cold War.
1945 C.E to 1990 C.E.
- Fundamental ideological clash between capitalist democracy and communist totalitarianism fueled the Cold War.
- The U.S. adopted a policy of containment to prevent the spread of communism, fearing a domino effect where one country’s fall to communism would lead to others.
- Both superpowers engaged in extensive espionage and propaganda campaigns to undermine each other’s influence and gather intelligence.
This ideological divide led to proxy wars, arms races, and a constant state of tension.
Examples: Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Explain:
Economic causes and consequences of the Cold War.
- The U.S. implemented the Marshall Plan to rebuild Western Europe and prevent the spread of communism.
- Led to a massive arms race, diverting significant resources from social and economic development.
- Accelerated the process of globalization, as countries sought to integrate their economies and reduce dependence on the two superpowers.
The Marshall Plan stimulated economic growth and strengthened Western Europe. The arms race also fueled technological advancements, particularly in nuclear weapons and space exploration.
Identify:
What were the key characteristics and impacts of Stalinism on the Soviet Union and its citizens?
Characteristics:
- Authoritarian rule
- Widespread political purges
- Forced collectivization
- Rapid industrialization
- Cult of personality
Impacts:
- Transformed its economy and society
- Extensive repression and human suffering
Describe:
How does the United Nations work to maintain international peace and security, and what are some of the challenges it faces in fulfilling this role?
- Peacekeeping missions, conflict mediation, and sanctions.
- Faces challenges such as political disagreements among member states, limited resources, and the complexity of modern conflicts.
Identify:
6 principal organs that make up the U.N.
- The General Assembly
- The Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- Trusteeship Council
- International Court of Justice
- U.N. Secretariat
Explain:
How did changes in politics affect the international system post Cold War?
- Democratization: Starting in the early 1990s, the Soviet military withdrew from Eastern Europe, allowing those countries, which were formerly dictatorships, to transition to democracy and integrate into the world economy.
- Disarmament: The U.S. and Russia both significantly reduced their stockpiles.
Explain:
How were societies and economy changed in the international system post Cold War?
- Economic and Trade Competition: It shifted the focus from political confrontation to economic and trade competition.
- Globalization: It is the process through which civilizations, cultures, and economies interact with each other.
- Reconfiguration of Power Dynamics: Countries like Turkey sought to increase their power and influence in regions such as the Caspian and Middle East.
Explain:
Factors that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- By the 1970s and 1980s, economic stagnation, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political corruption weakened the Soviet system, undermining its ability to compete globally and address internal issues.
- Collapsed in 1991 due to a combination of economic crises, rising nationalist movements within its republics, and the political reforms (perestroika and glasnost) introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev.
Describe:
3 areas where technology impacted society in late 20th century.
- The advent of computers, the internet, and mobile technologies revolutionized communication, commerce, and information sharing.
- Automation in manufacturing and services increased productivity and reduced labor costs.
- These fields opened up new possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and materials science.
Explain:
Impact of globalization on international economics.
Late 20th/early 21st century
- Trade Liberalization: Reduced trade barriers facilitated the movement of goods and services across borders.
- Global Supply Chains: The integration of economies led to the development of complex global supply chains.
- Financial Globalization: Increased capital flows and financial integration connected markets worldwide.
Describe:
3 effects of globalization on the environment.
- Resource Depletion: Increased consumption and production put pressure on natural resources.
- Climate Change: Industrialization and energy consumption contributed to climate change.
- Pollution and Waste: Industrial activities and consumerism generated pollution and waste.
Explain:
Causes of conflicts, interventions, and terrorism.
Late 20th/early 21st century
- Deep-seated ethnic and religious tensions have fueled conflicts in various regions, such as the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa.
- Weak or corrupt governments, authoritarian regimes, and political transitions have created opportunities for conflict and extremism.
- Economic disparities, both within and between countries, have led to social unrest and political instability.
- Competition over natural resources, such as oil and water, has ignited conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
- Extreme ideologies, such as religious fundamentalism and nationalism, have motivated terrorist groups and fueled conflicts.
Effects of conflicts, interventions, and terrorism.
Late 20th/early 21st century
- Leads to widespread displacement, refugee crises, and humanitarian disasters.
- Destabilizes governments and weakened institutions.
- Creates breeding grounds for terrorism, as extremist groups exploit the chaos to recruit and carry out attacks.
- Exacerbates tensions between major powers and lead to geopolitical rivalries.
- Rise of authoritarian regimes that suppress dissent and human rights.
Identify:
4 examples of conflicts in late 20th and early 21st century that have involved global powers.
- Middle East: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iraq War, the Syrian Civil War, and the rise of ISIS are examples of complex conflicts in the region.
- Balkans: The Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s were marked by ethnic cleansing and genocide.
- Africa: Conflicts in countries like Somalia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to widespread suffering and instability.
- South Asia: The Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan has been a major source of tension in the region.
