Cold War and Contemporary Europe

Abigail Young
6 min read
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#AP European History: Unit 9 - Post-War Europe: Your Ultimate Study Guide π
Welcome to your final review for AP European History! This guide is designed to help you feel confident and prepared for your exam. Let's dive in!
#π§ Contextualizing Modern Europe
#International Relations
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Post-WWII Rivalry: The alliance between the US, Britain, and the USSR dissolved into the Cold War, a period of intense tension without direct military conflict due to the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). π₯Ά
Remember: The Cold War was 'cold' because of the nuclear threat, not because it was peaceful!
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Post-War Recovery: Europe was devastated after WWII. The Marshall Plan, funded by the US, provided significant aid to Western European countries, leading to rapid economic growth. π·
The Marshall Plan was only for capitalist allies!
* [Image: Construction in West Berlin financed by the Marshall Plan, 1948](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_d87613_3486.png?alt=media&token=c066830a-bc75-41e4-b686-f126afb06f6a)
* *Caption: Marshall Plan aid helped rebuild war-torn cities like West Berlin.*
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Cold War Tensions: Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain into Western (capitalist, US-aligned) and Eastern (communist, Soviet-aligned) blocs. π
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NATO: Western bloc military alliance, including Greece and Turkey.
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Warsaw Pact: Soviet and Eastern bloc military alliance.
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Image: Cold War Military Alliances
- Caption: Map showing the division of Europe into NATO and Warsaw Pact countries.
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The Cold War involved propaganda, secret operations, and proxy wars (e.g., Korean and Vietnam Wars). π₯΅
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Be prepared to discuss the causes and consequences of the Cold War!
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Decolonization: Nationalist movements in European colonies led to the creation of independent states. This process was often violent, especially when European settlers or Cold War dynamics were involved. π©πΏ π»π³
- Image: French troops captured by Vietnamese nationalists in 1954
- Caption: The struggle for independence in Vietnam was a key example of decolonization.
- Image: French troops captured by Vietnamese nationalists in 1954
#Political and Economic Systems
- Western Bloc:
- Participated in the US-led capitalist trade system.
- Experienced an βeconomic miracleβ of growth. π
- Expanded the welfare state (government programs providing economic benefits), but later limited these programs.
Think of the welfare state as a safety net provided by the government.
* [Image: Map of European Economic Integration](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_9dcffc_91.png?alt=media&token=ec17dce4-7e64-4531-8574-c525144e0a89)
* *Caption: The expansion of the European Economic Community, which eventually became the EU.*
- Eastern Bloc:
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USSR imposed centrally planned economies, social welfare programs, and limits on individual rights.
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Nikita Khrushchev allowed some reforms after Stalin's death, but Soviet leaders crushed Eastern European independence movements.
- Image: Soviet tanks in Hungary, 1956
- Caption: Soviet intervention in Hungary to suppress dissent.
- Image: Soviet tanks in Hungary, 1956
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The Soviet system collapsed in the late 1980s. Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms failed, leading to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. π
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Understand the causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union!
- New Nationalism:
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Re-emerged as a powerful force after the Cold War. πͺ
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Led to the overthrow of communist rule in Eastern Europe (1988-1991).
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Sometimes contributed to terrorism, war, and genocide (e.g., Balkans).
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Also led to peaceful unification (Germany) and separation (Czechoslovakia).
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Nationalists sometimes opposed membership in international organizations like the EU.
- Image: Nationalist demonstration in Hungary, 1989
- Caption: A nationalist demonstration in Hungary during the fall of communism.
- Image: Nationalist demonstration in Hungary, 1989
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#Experiences of Everyday Life
- Gender Roles:
- Feminism and economic changes brought significant changes to gender roles.
- Women gained political rights, access to careers and education, and more control over reproduction. π©ββοΈ
Remember that progress was made, but social inequalities persisted.
- Technological Advancements:
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Medical advances increased life expectancy.
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New technologies brought Europeans closer together and to the world through globalization. π
- Image: Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become Prime Minister of the UK; 1982
- Caption: Margaret Thatcher, a symbol of changing gender roles in politics.
- Image: Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become Prime Minister of the UK; 1982
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#π Culture
#Arts and Philosophy
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Existentialism: Argued that humans must create their own meaning in life. π‘
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Post-modernism: Emphasized experimentation and self-expression in arts, literature, and architecture. π¨
- Image: Dancing House in Prague
- Caption: The Dancing House in Prague, a prime example of post-modern architecture.
- Image: Dancing House in Prague
#Religion
- Christian churches struggled under fascist and communist repression.
- The Second Vatican Council (1962) brought significant reforms to the Catholic Church.
- Immigration from Asia and Africa made Europe more religiously diverse, especially with the rise of Muslim populations.
Don't forget the impact of immigration on religious diversity in Europe!
#Popular Culture
- Consumer culture emphasized spending for comfort and identity. π
- The βbaby boomβ led to an emphasis on youth in popular culture.
- American technology and culture became increasingly prominent in European cultures.
Globalization led to the spread of American culture, but national traditions persisted.
#π― Final Exam Focus
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High-Priority Topics:
- The Cold War and its impact on Europe.
- Decolonization and its consequences.
- The rise and fall of communism.
- European integration and the EU.
- Social and cultural changes in post-war Europe.
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Common Question Types:
- Causation: Analyzing the causes and effects of major events.
- Comparison: Comparing and contrasting different political and economic systems.
- Continuity and Change: Identifying continuities and changes over time.
- Document-Based Questions (DBQs): Analyzing primary source documents.
- Long Essay Questions (LEQs): Writing extended essays based on historical themes.
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Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Allocate your time wisely for each section of the exam.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague generalizations; use specific historical evidence.
- Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts; outline your response before writing.
- Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. You've got this! πͺ
Remember, you've worked hard, and you're ready to ace this exam! Good luck! π
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