Context of 20th Century Global Conflicts
Abigail Young
6 min read
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#European History: A Last-Minute Study Guide 🚀
Welcome! This guide is designed to help you feel confident and prepared for your European History exam. Let's break down the key concepts and events, focusing on what you need to know for success. Remember, you've got this! 💪
#1. The Road to Global Conflict: From Rivalries to World Wars
#1.1. Seeds of Conflict: 19th-Century Tensions
Breakdown of the Concert of Europe: The system designed to maintain peace crumbled, leading to increased competition and rivalry among European powers.
Imperialism: Competition for colonies fueled tensions and created new rivalries, while also rekindling old ones. Think of it like a high-stakes game of Risk, but with real-world consequences.
Nationalism: A powerful force that both unified and divided. It led to the breakup of empires and fueled desires for self-determination.
Industrial Revolution: Spurred an arms race as nations sought to outpace each other in military might.
#1.2. World War I: The Great War
Alliance System: Europe was divided into two major alliances: the Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).
Remember: Entente = "friendly understanding" (think of it as a group of friends), Alliance = a more formal agreement.
Russian Revolution: Russia's withdrawal from the war created a void, which was filled by the United States.
US Entry: The fresh troops and resources of the US military were crucial in ending WWI.
Paris Peace Conference: The Treaty of Versailles severely punished Germany, creating resentment and setting the stage for future conflict.
Don't forget the League of Nations was created to prevent future wars, but it ultimately failed.
#1.3. The Interwar Years: Rise of Dictators
Authoritarianism: Dictators like Benito Mussolini in Italy, Francisco Franco in Spain, and Adolf Hitler in Germany rose to power by exploiting economic hardship and nationalistic fervor.
Pay attention to the methods these dictators used: propaganda, military force, and suppression of dissent.
Hitler's Germany: Hitler used the Great Depression to unify the German people, rebuilt the military, and pursued aggressive expansionist policies.
#2. World War II: A Global Catastrophe
#2.1. Causes of WWII
Unresolved Issues of WWI: The Treaty of Versailles created resentment and instability, particularly in Germany.
Rise of Fascism: The aggressive expansionist policies of fascist dictators led to conflict.
#2.2. Key Events of WWII
Invasion of Poland (1939): Marked the beginning of WWII.
Allied Invasions: Strategic invasions of France and Italy were crucial in defeating the Axis powers.
The Holocaust: The systematic genocide of Jews and other minorities by the Nazi regime.
Atomic Bombs: The US used atomic weapons to force Japan's surrender, ending WWII.
#2.3. Outcomes of WWII
Formation of the United Nations (UN): Created to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars.
The UN replaced the failed League of Nations.
Economic Hardship: Europe was devastated by the war and heavily indebted to the United States.
Demographic Shifts: Significant changes in European demographics due to war, migration, and changing social patterns.
Improved Standard of Living: Despite the suffering, the overall standard of living in Europe improved in the 20th century.
#3. Timeline of Key Events
Here's a quick timeline to help you keep track of the major events:
- 1914: Outbreak of WWI
- 1917: Russian Revolution
- 1917: US joins WWI
- 1919: Paris Peace Conference, end of WWI
- 1925: Benito Mussolini comes to power in Italy
- 1927: Joseph Stalin comes to power in the Soviet Union
- 1929: US stock market crash
- 1932: Franklin Roosevelt is elected US President
- 1933: Adolf Hitler becomes German Chancellor
- 1935: Nuremberg Laws passed in Germany
- 1939: Spanish Civil War ends, Francisco Franco becomes dictator
- 1939: Germany and Soviet Union invade Poland, WWII begins
- 1940: Winston Churchill is re-appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain
- 1941: Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, US joins WWII
- 1943: Battle of Stalingrad
- 1944: D-Day Invasion
- 1945: Atomic bombs are dropped in Japan, WWII ends
#4. Visual Aid
Caption: A map of Europe after World War II, illustrating the redrawn borders and the division of the continent. This image helps visualize the significant geopolitical changes that occurred after the war.
#Final Exam Focus
#High-Priority Topics:
- The causes and consequences of WWI and WWII.
- The rise of authoritarian dictators and their impact on Europe.
- The Treaty of Versailles and its role in setting the stage for WWII.
- The Holocaust and its significance.
- The formation of the United Nations and its goals.
#Common Question Types:
- Essay Questions: Be prepared to analyze the causes and effects of major events, compare and contrast different political systems, and evaluate the impact of key figures.
- Multiple Choice Questions: Focus on understanding key terms, dates, and events. Pay attention to the nuances of cause and effect.
- Document-Based Questions (DBQs): Practice analyzing primary source documents and using them to support your arguments.
#Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too much time on any one question.
- Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of each question to ensure you understand what is being asked.
- Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and remember what you've studied. You are prepared! 🧘
- Review Key Terms: Make sure you understand the definitions of important terms like nationalism, imperialism, fascism, and totalitarianism.
- Focus on the Big Picture: Understand the connections between events and how they contributed to the overall narrative of European history.
Good luck on your exam! You've got this! 🌟
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