APEURO: Unit 8, 20th-Century Global Conflicts - Contextualizing the 20th Century

Why This Matters

Contextualizing the 20th century is crucial for understanding the complex and interconnected events that shaped global politics, economies, and societies. This period saw the rise and fall of empires, the emergence of new global powers, and the struggle for human rights and social justice. The 20th century's tumultuous events, such as World War I and II, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement, are deeply connected to the AP theme of Change and Continuity Over Time. By examining the causes and effects of these events, students can gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles for power, identity, and human dignity that continue to shape our world today.

Key Events & People

• The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to widespread resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.
• Adolf Hitler (1889-1945): As the leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler implemented policies of racial purity and militarism, leading to the devastation of World War II.
• The Russian Revolution (1917): The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Russian monarchy and established the world's first socialist state.
• The Great Depression (1929-1939): A global economic downturn that led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.
• The New Deal (1933-1938): President Franklin D. Roosevelt's series of programs and policies aimed at alleviating the effects of the Great Depression.
• The Holocaust (1933-1945): The systematic persecution and extermination of six million Jews and millions of others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime.
• The Cold War (1945-1991): A decades-long ideological and military conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by proxy wars, espionage, and nuclear deterrence.
• The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s): A series of protests, boycotts, and lawsuits aimed at ending racial segregation and achieving equal rights for African Americans.
• The Berlin Wall (1961-1989): A physical barrier erected by the Soviet Union to separate East and West Berlin, symbolizing the division of Europe during the Cold War.
• Mao Zedong (1893-1976): The Chinese Communist Party leader who implemented radical policies, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, resulting in widespread famine and social upheaval.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to widespread resentment.
• Effect: The rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.
• Long-term consequence: The devastation of World War II and the subsequent division of Europe during the Cold War.
• Cause: The Great Depression led to widespread poverty and unemployment.
• Effect: The rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and the Americas.
• Long-term consequence: The erosion of democratic institutions and the emergence of authoritarian regimes.
• Cause: The Cold War led to a nuclear arms race and proxy wars.
• Effect: The threat of nuclear war and the destabilization of global politics.
• Long-term consequence: The end of the Cold War and the emergence of new global powers.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Totalitarianism*: A system of government in which the state has complete control over all aspects of society.
• Example: The Nazi regime in Germany during World War II.
• *Communism*: A system of government in which the state owns and controls the means of production.
• Example: The Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.
• *Fascism*: A system of government that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and authoritarianism.
• Example: The fascist regime in Italy under Benito Mussolini.
• *Imperialism*: The extension of a country's power and influence through colonization or economic domination.
• Example: The British Empire's colonization of India and Africa.
• *Nationalism*: A movement that emphasizes the importance of national identity and sovereignty.
• Example: The rise of nationalist movements in Europe and the Americas during the 20th century.
• *Socialism*: An economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state or by the workers themselves.
• Example: The socialist regime in Russia under Vladimir Lenin.
• *Globalization*: The increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies and societies.
• Example: The rise of international trade and the emergence of global corporations.
• *Human Rights*: The fundamental rights and freedoms that are inherent to all human beings.
• Example: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1918, not 1919.
• Correction: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
• What students often get wrong: The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted until 1939.
• Correction: The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s, with some economists arguing that it lasted until the onset of World War II.
• What students often get wrong: The Berlin Wall was erected in 1960, not 1961.
• Correction: The Berlin Wall was erected on August 13, 1961.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the causes and effects of the Great Depression on global politics and economies. Be sure to include specific examples from the 1920s and 1930s.
• Possible evidence: The stock market crash of 1929, the rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and the Americas, the New Deal programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the totalitarian regimes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Be sure to include specific examples from the 1930s and 1940s.
• Possible evidence: The Nazi regime's policies of racial purity and militarism, the Soviet Union's policies of collectivization and industrialization, the rise of the Holocaust and the Great Purge.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the main cause of the Great Depression?
2. Correct answer: The stock market crash of 1929.
3. Explanation: The stock market crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, which lasted for over a decade.
4. Which event marked the beginning of the Cold War?
5. Correct answer: The Truman Doctrine.
6. Explanation: The Truman Doctrine, announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1947, marked the beginning of the Cold War and the United States' commitment to containing the spread of communism.
7. Who was the leader of the Chinese Communist Party during the Great Leap Forward?
8. Correct answer: Mao Zedong.
9. Explanation: Mao Zedong was the leader of the Chinese Communist Party during the Great Leap Forward, a radical economic and social campaign that resulted in widespread famine and social upheaval.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
• The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s.
• The Berlin Wall was erected on August 13, 1961.
• The Cold War lasted from 1945 to 1991.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
• The Soviet Union was dissolved on December 26, 1991.
• The Berlin Wall was torn down on November 9, 1989.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including a significant reduction in its military and territorial losses.
• The Great Depression led to widespread poverty and unemployment, as well as the rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and the Americas.
• The Cold War was marked by a nuclear arms race and proxy wars between the United States and the Soviet Union.