AP World History Modern: Unit 7 Review

Welcome to AP World History Modern Test Prep

In this section, the speaker introduces Unit 7 of AP World History Modern Test Prep, focusing on global conflict encompassing World War I, World War II, mass atrocities, and genocides.

Context Leading to Unit 7

• The Berlin Conference in 1900 led to the Scramble for Africa due to European states' imperialistic desires driven by the Industrial Revolution's need for resources.

• Major players at the Berlin Conference included newly unified Germany and Italy, King Leopold of Belgium, Britain, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. No Africans were present at the conference.

Global Expansion and Conflicts

• Beyond Africa, Russia expanded into Asia facing Japan in the Russo-Japanese War. European imperialism extended to Southeast Asia (French), the East Indies (Dutch), India (British), and China (various conflicts).

• The United States gained control of the Philippines from Spain and influenced China through trade agreements like the Treaty of Nanjing over opium wars.

Shifting Power Dynamics

• Unhappiness with authoritarian governments was prevalent in Russia (leading to Bolshevik revolution), Qing Dynasty in China (resulting in Chinese Republic creation), Ottoman Empire (struggles leading to Young Turks movement), and Mexico (overthrowing dictator Porfirio Diaz).

Causes Leading to World War I

This section delves into key factors contributing to World War I known as "The Great War" or "The war to end all wars," including militarism, alliance systems, imperialism, and nationalism.

Causes of World War I

• Militarism: Industrial Revolution technologies fueled excessive military spending among European states.

• Alliance System: Complex alliances between nations played a significant role in triggering WWI.

World War I Causes and Outbreak

This section delves into the primary causes of World War I, including imperialism, nationalism, and alliances, leading to the outbreak of the war triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Causes of World War I

• Imperialism and rivalries over resources and colonies heightened tensions among states.

• Nationalism fueled beliefs in state superiority, intensifying conflicts due to geographic proximity in Europe.

• The combination of imperialism, nationalism, and alliances acted as a powder keg that ignited with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Archduke's visit to Bosnia led to his assassination by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, sparking nationalist fervor in the region.

• Austria-Hungary issued a harsh ultimatum to Serbia post-assassination, leading to Serbia's rejection and Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia after a month.

• Alliance systems came into play as Austria sought support from Germany through a "blank check," escalating tensions further.

Outbreak of World War I

• Russia's readiness for war prompted Germany's involvement after Austria declared war on Serbia, setting off a chain reaction involving France and others.

World War I and Its Aftermath

The discussion delves into the impact of World War I, the propaganda used during the war, global involvement, the Treaty of Versailles, and the economic repercussions post-war.

Impact of World War I

• During World War I, families were encouraged to plant fruits and vegetables as part of their duty for the war effort.

• Extensive propaganda was utilized during World War I to influence public opinion through fear tactics and misinformation.

• The war had a global reach with fighting not only in Europe but also in the Pacific, Africa, and Asia.

Treaty of Versailles and Post-War Effects

• The United States' entry into WWI was influenced by events like the sinking of Lusitania and the Zimmerman Telegram.

• The Treaty of Versailles outlined President Woodrow Wilson's 14 points including self-determination and arms reduction.

• Harsh terms in the Treaty led to Germany taking blame for the war, demilitarization, loss of colonies, and hefty reparations.

Economic Impact Post World War I

This section explores how World War I's aftermath led to economic struggles globally, including inflation in Germany and the Great Depression in the United States.

Global Economic Fallout

• Germany resorted to printing money post-WWI leading to inflation and economic devaluation.

• The Great Depression hit worldwide challenging laissez-faire economics; Keynes advocated for deficit spending to stimulate economies.

New Deal Programs

• President FDR's New Deal programs aimed at relief for unemployed individuals through government spending on beneficial projects.

Economic Policies and Rise of Fascism

This section discusses economic policies such as the five-year plan in the USSR, collectivization of farms, famines under Stalin's rule, and the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany during the interwar period.

Economic Policies in the USSR

• Stalin implemented economic policies like the five-year plan to industrialize the USSR and pushed for collectivization of farms, leading to significant famines.

Mexico's Economy and Nationalization of Oil

• Mexico improved its economy by nationalizing its oil industry from the 1930s to 1970s, angering foreign investors but benefiting from oil revenues through PEMEX gas stations.

Rise of Fascism

• Fascism emerged with extreme nationalism, violence, and scapegoating ethnic minorities for state issues. Italy was the first country to adopt fascism under Mussolini after discontent post-World War I.

Fascist Regimes: Italy and Germany

This section delves into how fascism manifested in Italy under Mussolini's dictatorship and in Germany with Hitler's totalitarian regime.

Fascism in Italy

• Mussolini established a totalitarian state in Italy with total control, propaganda in education, and failed imperialist actions like invading Ethiopia.

Rise of Nazism in Germany

• The Weimar Republic struggled post-monarchy with hyperinflation and unemployment. The Nazi Party led by Hitler gained power through elections; Hitler became chancellor then president.

Hitler's Regime: Policies and Persecution

This segment explores Hitler's fascist regime characterized by ultra-nationalism, militarism, banning political parties, scapegoating Jews for economic problems, anti-Semitic propaganda, Nuremberg Laws' impact on Jewish citizens.

Hitler's Policies

• Hitler banned political parties, scapegoated Jews for economic woes using fake scientific theories promoting Aryan superiority.

Persecution of Jews

• Anti-Semitic propaganda fueled hostility towards Jews leading to Kristallnacht where synagogues were destroyed; Nuremberg Laws stripped Jewish rights escalating persecution pre-WWII.

Colonial Hypocrisy and Nationalist Movements

This part highlights colonial hypocrisy regarding self-determination for white regions versus colonies. It also touches on nationalist movements demanding independence post-WWI across various regions.

Colonial Hypocrisy

• Colonized people noted European hypocrisy supporting self-determination for whites but not colonies; League of Nations' mandate system resembled new colonization efforts.

Nationalist Movements

Colonial School Systems and Self-Determination

This section discusses the influence of colonial school systems on Africans who had traveled to Europe, highlighting their belief in self-determination and Enlightenment values.

Colonial Influence on African Independence Movements

• Jomo Kenyatta's education in London and subsequent fight for Kenyan independence.

• West Africans under French rule initiating strikes against the French rail system to gain independence.

Tensions in Palestine and the Mandate System

The discussion focuses on tensions arising from the Balfour Declaration, which aimed at establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine, leading to conflicts between Jews and Muslims due to historical claims over the region.

Balfour Declaration and Mandate System Impact

• Creation of tensions between Jews and Muslims due to conflicting claims over Palestine.

• Migration of Jews to Palestine under British mandate, intensifying regional complexities.

Causes of World War II

Exploring the causes of World War II, including Hitler's actions, failure of the League of Nations, and the Treaty of Versailles.

Factors Leading to World War II

• Economic struggles in Weimar Republic leading to Hitler's rise.

• Hitler's violation of Treaty of Versailles by military buildup and policy of appeasement by European powers.

Policy of Appeasement

Delving into the concept of appeasement through a relatable analogy with parenting decisions during shopping trips.

Understanding Appeasement

• Comparison between international appeasement policies and parental decision-making.

• League of Nations' struggle with appeasing Hitler despite treaty violations.

Escalation Towards World War II

Detailing Hitler's expansionist ambitions leading to territorial acquisitions like Sudetenland, ultimately triggering broader conflict.

Expansionist Policies Leading to Conflict

• Acquisition of Sudetenland through appeasement fuels Hitler's further territorial ambitions.

Changes and Continuities Between World War I and World War II

The section discusses the differences and similarities in how World War I and World War II were conducted, focusing on aspects such as speed of warfare, strategies employed, technologies used, propaganda, and global involvement.

Changes in Conduct of Wars

• World War II saw a shift to faster-moving warfare compared to the trench warfare of World War I. Hitler's use of blitzkrieg exemplified this change.

• Fighting strategies evolved from ground battles in trenches during WWI to incorporating air technologies in WWII. Examples include the use of fire bombing and aerial fighting with B-29 bombers.

Technological Advancements

• Introduction of new military technologies like atomic weaponry marked a significant change at the end of WWII.

• Technological advancements in military equipment mirrored general technological progress, becoming more efficient over time.

Continuities During Wars

• Both wars were total wars involving significant propaganda efforts. Examples include Rosie the Riveter campaign promoting women working in factories during WWII.

• Continuity in global nature of war with colonial people fighting for parent countries observed. Women's participation increased but men predominantly fought on battlefronts.

Ideologies and Alliances During World War II

This part delves into how governments utilized ideologies like fascism and communism to mobilize resources for war efforts. It also touches upon alliances shifting during conflicts.

Mobilization through Ideologies

• Totalitarian states like Germany under Hitler and Soviet Union under Stalin used ideologies to mobilize state resources for war.

• Repression of freedoms by totalitarian regimes was common during conflicts, impacting daily life beyond wartime.

Shifting Alliances

• The Soviet Union switched sides during WWII due to Hitler breaking a non-aggression pact by invading them for living space.

• Celebrations like Victory Day in Moscow highlight complexities where Stalin fought alongside allies despite being a repressive dictator domestically.

End of World War II: Berlin & Pacific Theater

This segment focuses on the conclusion of WWII with events leading to victory days in Europe and the Pacific theater, highlighting key moments like the race to Berlin.

Race to Berlin

• Towards the end of WWII, a race ensued between Soviet forces pushing from one side and US forces from another towards Berlin.

• Hitler's suicide marked a turning point leading to Victory Day (VE Day) in Europe signifying the end of WWII on that front.

Pacific Theater Conclusion

• The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan concluded WWII in the Pacific theater.

Ethnic Violence and Genocide Throughout History

This section delves into various instances of ethnic violence and genocide throughout history, starting with the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and extending to other atrocities such as the Holocaust, Nanjing Massacre, Rwandan Genocide, and more recent examples.

Ottoman Empire and Armenian Genocide

• The Young Turks aimed to establish a modern constitutional government in the Ottoman Empire. Armenians sought equality within this new state but faced oppression.

• Armenians were targeted for being Christians, speaking a different language, and thriving under Ottoman rule. Resentment led to the start of the Armenian Genocide in 1915.

Holocaust and Nazi Regime

• Hitler's regime perpetrated genocide against Jews during World War II through concentration camps and later extermination camps under the Final Solution.

• The total number of deaths from Nazi atrocities exceeded 6 million Jews, with additional groups also targeted at extermination camps.

Nanjing Massacre

• Japanese forces committed atrocities during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 by destroying the city, raping women, killing war prisoners, and massacring civilians.

Rwandan Genocide

• In 1994, Hutu extremists in Rwanda killed around 800,000 Tutsi people through dehumanization tactics and propaganda inciting ordinary civilians to commit murder.

Modern Examples of Ethnic Violence

• Instances like the Cambodian genocide under Pol Pot's leadership (1975-1979), ethnic violence in Ukraine, Darfur conflict in Sudan, Rohingya persecution in Myanmar highlight ongoing challenges.

Call for Action Against Ethnic Violence

• Language plays a crucial role in fueling ethnic violence; it is essential to call out dehumanizing rhetoric and misinformation that can lead to mass atrocities.

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The discussion touches on post-World War I events, including the replacement of the German monarchy with the Weimar Republic and Germany's struggles during that period.

Post-World War I Events

• After World War I, the German monarchy was replaced by the democratically elected Weimar Republic.

• Not many citizens supported this change as Germany faced challenges post-war.