AP European History: Unit 8 - 20th-Century Global Conflicts: The Ultimate Study Guide

Welcome! This guide is designed to help you ace your exam on 20th-century global conflicts. Let's break down the key concepts and ensure you're fully prepared. Remember, you've got this! 💪

🧭 Unit Overview: Setting the Stage

This unit focuses on the tumultuous first half of the 20th century, heavily influenced by 19th-century trends. Make sure you're familiar with:

• 📄 Unit 6: Industrialization and Its Effects
• 📄 Unit 7: 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments

🌍 Total War: The Defining Feature

The 20th century was marked by two devastating World Wars, both examples of total war, where entire societies were mobilized for the war effort.

⚔️ World War I (1914-1918)

💥 Causes:

• Long-Term Causes:
  • Nationalism: Intense pride in one's nation, often leading to rivalries.
  • Militarism: Glorification of military power and buildup of arms.
  • Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources.
  • Competing Alliances: Complex web of treaties that obligated nations to defend each other.
• Short-Term Cause: The assassination 🔫 of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the Balkans in 1914.
  Key Concept

Remember N.M.I.A. (Nationalism, Militarism, Imperialism, Alliances) as the long-term causes of WWI.

🤝 The Alliances:

💥 Effects:

• Massive Casualties: Over 16 million deaths due to new military technologies and trench warfare.
• Total War: Mobilization of entire populations and economies.
• Economic Exhaustion: European powers depleted their resources.
• Shift in Global Power: Rise of the United States.
• Political Instability: Rebellions and revolutions.

Be prepared to discuss the concept of total war and its impact on societies.

British troops participating in trench warfare

🕊️ Peace Settlement: The Treaty of Versailles

• Controversial Treaty: Seen as too harsh by Germany and too lenient by others.
• Punished Germany: Imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses.
• League of Nations: Created to promote international cooperation, but weakened by the US refusal to join.

War and revolutions created new countries (1923)

• Imperialism: Strengthened in some ways (mandates), weakened in others (increased resistance).

💣 World War II (1939-1945)

💥 Causes:

• Fascist Expansion: Aggressive territorial expansion by Germany and Italy, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
• Rise of Fascism: Ideology emphasizing nationalism, authoritarianism, and often racism.

🤝 The Alliances:

💥 Fighting World War II:

• Deadliest War: Advanced military technology and total warfare led to unprecedented casualties.
• Blitzkrieg: German “lightning war” tactics.
• Aerial Bombardment: Extensive bombing of civilian areas.
• Allied Victory: Overwhelmed the Axis powers through combined industrial and technological strength.

Berlin, Germany, 1945

💀 The Holocaust:

• Nazi Racism: Anti-Semitism fueled the Nazi state.
• Genocide: Systematic murder of millions of European Jews.

The Holocaust is a critical topic. Understand its causes, progression, and impact.

💥 Conflicting Political Ideologies

World Wars and economic crises led to the rise of extreme ideologies.

☭ Communism

• Marxist-Leninist Theory: Based on the idea of communal ownership and the abolition of capitalism.
• Russian Revolution: Overthrew the Czar and established the first communist state (USSR).
• Bolsheviks: Led by Vladimir Lenin, they seized power and created the Soviet Union.
• New Economic Policy (NEP): Limited free-market policies under Lenin.
• Stalin's Dictatorship: Rapid industrialization and brutal suppression of dissent.

卐 Fascism

• Nationalism and Militarism: Rooted in the ideologies that led to WWI.
• Opposition to Communism: Gained support from nationalists who opposed communism.
• Authoritarian Rule: Violent dictatorships under Mussolini and Hitler.

📉 Global Economic Crisis: The Great Depression

• US Financial Collapse: Triggered the global economic crisis in the 1930s.
• Impact on Europe: European banks and businesses suffered due to reliance on US investments.
• Rise of Extremism: Fueled the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany.

🎭 Modern Culture

World wars, economic crises, and political extremism accelerated cultural shifts.

• Questioning of Science and Rationality: Physics research challenged the predictability of the universe.
• Freudian Psychology: Gained popularity, emphasizing subconscious impulses.
• "Lost Generation": Young people grappling with the aftermath of war.
• Changing Gender Roles: Women mobilized during wars, gaining political rights and economic opportunities.

Spanish women voting, 1933

🎯 Final Exam Focus

• Highest Priority Topics:
  • Causes and effects of World War I and World War II.
  • The Treaty of Versailles and its consequences.
  • The rise of communism and fascism.
  • The Holocaust.
  • The impact of total war on societies.
  • Cultural shifts and changing gender roles.
• Common Question Types:
  • Cause-and-effect analysis.
  • Comparison and contrast of ideologies.
  • Analysis of primary and secondary sources.
  • Essay questions requiring synthesis of information.

⏰ Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Allocate time for each question and stick to your plan.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers; be specific and provide evidence.
• Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts and address each part systematically.
• Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. You've got this! 💡

Good luck on your exam! You are well-prepared and ready to succeed. 🎉