APUSH: Period 4, 1800-1848 - Contextualizing Period 4

Why This Matters

Period 4, spanning from 1890 to 1945, is a pivotal era in world history marked by the rise of global conflicts, the emergence of new ideologies, and the transformation of international relations. Understanding this period is crucial for grasping the complexities of modern world history, including the interconnectedness of global events, the impact of technological advancements, and the evolution of international relations. This period is particularly significant for the AP theme of Globalization and Industrialization, as it highlights the consequences of industrialization, the rise of new global powers, and the devastating effects of two world wars.

Key Events & People

• The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901): A Chinese uprising against foreign influence, which led to the signing of the Boxer Protocol, imposing harsh penalties on China and further weakening its sovereignty.
• Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy (1901-1909): Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, characterized by a combination of diplomacy and military power, which helped to establish the United States as a global power.
• The Russian Revolution (1917): A pair of revolutions that overthrew the Russian monarchy and established the world's first socialist state, led by Vladimir Lenin.
• The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The peace treaty that ended World War I, imposing harsh penalties on Germany and contributing to the rise of Nazi Germany.
• The Great Depression (1929-1939): A global economic downturn that led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.
• Adolf Hitler's Rise to Power (1933): Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of the Nazi regime and the lead-up to World War II.
• The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria (1931): Japan's invasion of northeastern China, which led to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo and the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia.
• The Munich Agreement (1938): A treaty between Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, allowing Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, which is seen as a failed attempt at appeasement.
• The Battle of Britain (1940): A pivotal air campaign fought between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force, which marked a turning point in the war.
• The Atlantic Charter (1941): A joint statement by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, outlining the Allied goals for the post-war world.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including heavy reparations and territorial losses.
• Effect: The treaty contributed to widespread resentment and economic hardship in Germany, creating a fertile ground for extremist ideologies like Nazism to take hold.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II, which would go on to devastate Europe and the world.

• Cause: The global economic downturn of the Great Depression led to widespread poverty and unemployment.

• Effect: The economic crisis created social unrest and instability, making it easier for extremist ideologies to gain traction.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and Asia, which would contribute to the outbreak of World War II.

• Cause: The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 marked the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia.

• Effect: The invasion led to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo and the beginning of Japan's military expansion in China.
• Long-term consequence: The Japanese invasion of China and Southeast Asia, which would eventually lead to the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Appeasement*: A policy of giving in to an aggressor's demands in the hope of avoiding war.
  • Example: The Munich Agreement, where Britain and France gave in to Germany's demands for Czechoslovakian territory.
• *Fascism*: A totalitarian ideology that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and suppression of individual rights.
  • Example: The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany.
• *Globalization*: The increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies.
  • Example: The spread of industrialization and technological advancements across the globe.
• *Imperialism*: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
  • Example: The Japanese invasion of Manchuria and the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.
• *Nationalism*: A ideology that emphasizes the importance of a nation's identity, culture, and interests.
  • Example: The rise of nationalist movements in Europe and Asia during the interwar period.
• *Totalitarianism*: A system of government that seeks to control all aspects of society and individual life.
  • Example: The Nazi regime in Germany and the Soviet Union under Stalin.
• *War Guilt Clause*: A provision in the Treaty of Versailles that placed the blame for World War I on Germany.
  • Example: The impact of the war guilt clause on German resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.
• *War Reparations*: The financial penalties imposed on a defeated country as a result of war.
  • Example: The heavy reparations imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles.
• *World War I*: A global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and involved many of the world's major powers.
  • Example: The impact of the war on global politics, economies, and societies.
• *World War II*: A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved many of the world's major powers.
  • Example: The impact of the war on global politics, economies, and societies.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1918, but the war guilt clause was not a major factor in the rise of Nazi Germany.
• Correction: The war guilt clause was a minor provision in the treaty, and the main factors contributing to the rise of Nazi Germany were the global economic downturn, the failure of the Weimar Republic, and the aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany.
• What students often get wrong: The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was a response to the global economic downturn.
• Correction: The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was a result of Japan's desire for resources and territory, as well as its nationalist and militarist ideology.
• What students often get wrong: The Munich Agreement was a successful example of appeasement.
• Correction: The Munich Agreement was a failed attempt at appeasement, as it allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia and emboldened Hitler's aggressive expansion.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the rise of Nazi Germany. Be sure to include specific evidence from the treaty, such as the war guilt clause and the reparations imposed on Germany.
  • Possible evidence: The Treaty of Versailles, the war guilt clause, the reparations imposed on Germany, the rise of Nazi Germany, the failure of the Weimar Republic.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the ideologies of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and Asia during the interwar period. Be sure to include specific evidence from the ideologies, such as the emphasis on nationalism, militarism, and suppression of individual rights.
  • Possible evidence: The rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and Asia, the ideologies of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.
• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the global economic downturn on the rise of extremist ideologies in Europe and Asia. Be sure to include specific evidence from the economic crisis, such as the widespread poverty and unemployment, and the impact on societies and governments.
  • Possible evidence: The global economic downturn, the rise of fascist and nationalist movements in Europe and Asia, the impact on societies and governments, the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main provision of the Treaty of Versailles that contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany?
   • Correct answer: The war guilt clause was not a major factor in the rise of Nazi Germany; the main factors were the global economic downturn, the failure of the Weimar Republic, and the aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany.
2. What was the impact of the Japanese invasion of Manchuria on the global economy?
   • Correct answer: The invasion led to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo and the beginning of Japan's military expansion in China, but it did not have a significant impact on the global economy.
3. What was the main goal of the Munich Agreement?
   • Correct answer: The main goal of the Munich Agreement was to avoid war with Germany by giving in to its demands for Czechoslovakian territory, but it ultimately failed to achieve this goal.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, not 1918.
• The war guilt clause was a minor provision in the treaty, not a major factor in the rise of Nazi Germany.
• The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was a result of Japan's desire for resources and territory, not a response to the global economic downturn.
• The Munich Agreement was a failed attempt at appeasement, not a successful example.
• The global economic downturn led to widespread poverty and unemployment, but it was not the sole cause of the rise of extremist ideologies in Europe and Asia.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations on Germany, but it was not the sole cause of the rise of Nazi Germany.
• The Japanese invasion of Manchuria led to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo, but it was not the sole cause of the outbreak of World War II.
• The Munich Agreement was signed in 1938, not 1939.
• The Atlantic Charter was signed in 1941, not 1945.
• The Battle of Britain was fought in 1940, not 1941.