APUSH: Period 6, 1865-1898 - Contextualizing Period 6

Why This Matters

Period 6, spanning from 1890 to 1945, is a pivotal era in American and European history. This period saw the rise of industrialization, imperialism, and the emergence of new global powers. The context of this period is crucial for understanding the complexities of modern history, particularly in relation to the AP theme of Globalization and Its Consequences. The interconnectedness of global events, economic systems, and cultural exchange during this period laid the groundwork for the modern world.

Key Events & People

• The Dreyfus Affair (1894-1906): A scandal in France involving the wrongful conviction of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, exposed anti-Semitism and the need for military reform.
• The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901): A Chinese uprising against foreign influence and Christian missionaries led to the intervention of eight nations, including the United States, and the signing of the Boxer Protocol.
• The Philippine-American War (1899-1902): The U.S. military campaign to suppress the Philippine Revolution for independence resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Filipinos and the establishment of U.S. colonial rule.
• The Russian Revolution (1905-1917): A wave of protests and strikes led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the rise of the Bolsheviks, who would eventually establish the Soviet Union.
• The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The peace treaty ending World War I imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to widespread resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.
• The Harlem Renaissance (1918-1937): A cultural and literary movement in African American communities in Harlem, New York, celebrated black identity and culture.
• The Roaring Twenties (1920s): A decade of economic prosperity, cultural experimentation, and social change in the United States.
• The Great Depression (1929-1941): A global economic downturn that led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.
• The New Deal (1933-1938): A series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression.
• The Munich Agreement (1938): A treaty between Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom that allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, emboldening Nazi aggression.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of industrialization and urbanization in Europe and the United States led to increased social and economic inequality.
• Effect: This inequality contributed to the growth of socialist and communist movements, which sought to address the grievances of the working class.

• Long-term consequence: The eventual rise of fascist and nationalist regimes in Europe, which would lead to World War II.

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to widespread resentment and a desire for revenge.

• Effect: This resentment contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.

• Long-term consequence: The devastation of World War II and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.

• Cause: The Great Depression led to widespread poverty and unemployment, which in turn led to increased social unrest and dissatisfaction with the existing economic system.

• Effect: This dissatisfaction contributed to the rise of populist and fascist movements, which promised to address the economic grievances of the working class.
• Long-term consequence: The eventual collapse of democratic institutions and the emergence of authoritarian regimes in Europe.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Imperialism*: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or economic domination.
  • Example: The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century, where European powers competed for colonies and resources.
• *Fascism*: A totalitarian ideology that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and suppression of opposition.
  • Example: The rise of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, which led to the persecution and genocide of Jews and other minority groups.
• *Globalization*: The increasing interconnectedness of global economies, cultures, and societies.
  • Example: The growth of international trade and investment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which led to the emergence of new global powers.
• *Nationalism*: The promotion of national identity and interests over international cooperation and global governance.
  • Example: The rise of nationalist movements in Europe in the early 20th century, which contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• *Totalitarianism*: A system of government that seeks to control all aspects of society and suppress individual freedoms.
  • Example: The Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, which implemented a system of state control and repression.
• *Capitalism*: An economic system based on private ownership and profit-making.
  • Example: The growth of industrial capitalism in the United States and Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• *Socialism*: An economic system based on collective ownership and the redistribution of wealth.
  • Example: The rise of socialist movements in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which sought to address the grievances of the working class.
• *Communism*: A system of government that seeks to establish a classless, stateless society.
  • Example: The Soviet Union under Vladimir Lenin, which implemented a system of state control and repression.
• *National Self-Determination*: The principle that nations have the right to self-governance and independence.
  • Example: The rise of nationalist movements in Europe in the early 20th century, which contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• *War Guilt Clause*: A provision in the Treaty of Versailles that imposed blame for World War I on Germany.
  • Example: The impact of the war guilt clause on German public opinion and the rise of Nazi Germany.

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, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.
• What students often get wrong: The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in the 1920s.
• Correction: The Harlem Renaissance began in 1918 and continued until the 1930s, with a peak in the 1920s.
• What students often get wrong: The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted for several years.
• Correction: The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted for over a decade, until the onset of World War II.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of imperialism on global politics and economies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Be sure to include specific examples from the Scramble for Africa and the Boxer Rebellion.
• Possible document-based question: Evaluate the role of nationalism in the outbreak of World War I. Be sure to include specific evidence from the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of nationalist movements in Europe.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the rise of fascist and nationalist regimes in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. Be sure to include specific examples from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the main cause of the Great Depression?
   • Correct answer: The stock market crash of 1929.
   • Explanation: The stock market crash of 1929 led to a massive loss of wealth and a subsequent decline in consumer spending, which in turn led to a sharp decline in economic activity.
2. Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during the 1920s and 1930s?
   • Correct answer: Joseph Stalin.
   • Explanation: Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1953.
3. What was the name of the treaty that ended World War I?
   • Correct answer: The Treaty of Versailles.
   • Explanation: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to widespread resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, not 1918.
• The Harlem Renaissance began in 1918, not the 1920s.
• The Great Depression lasted for over a decade, not just several years.
• The stock market crash of 1929 was the main cause of the Great Depression.
• Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union during the 1920s and 1930s.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to widespread resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.
• The Scramble for Africa was a key example of imperialism in the late 19th century.
• The Boxer Rebellion was a key example of anti-foreigner sentiment in China in the early 20th century.
• The Treaty of Versailles included a war guilt clause that imposed blame for World War I on Germany.
• The rise of fascist and nationalist regimes in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s contributed to the outbreak of World War II.