APUSH: Period 8, 1945-1980 - Contextualizing Period 8

Why This Matters

Period 8, spanning from 1890 to 1945, is a pivotal era in world history marked by the rise of global conflict, the decline of colonial empires, and the emergence of new international relations. This period is significant for understanding the larger themes of AP European History, particularly the struggle for power and identity in the face of modernization and globalization. The events and ideas of this era laid the groundwork for the devastating consequences of World War II and the subsequent reorganization of the international order.

Key Events & People

• The Scramble for Africa (1881-1914): European powers, particularly Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium, engaged in a period of intense colonial expansion in Africa, leading to the partitioning of the continent and the exploitation of its resources.
• The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901): A Chinese anti-foreigner and anti-Christian uprising that was brutally suppressed by an international coalition of troops, highlighting the tensions between Western powers and non-Western societies.
• The rise of Imperial Germany (1890-1914): Under the leadership of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany emerged as a major world power, challenging the dominance of Britain and France and contributing to the outbreak of World War I.
• The Russian Revolution (1917): The overthrow of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of the Soviet Union, marking a significant turning point in world history and the rise of communism as a global force.
• The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The peace settlement imposed on Germany after World War I, which many historians argue contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.
• The rise of Fascist Italy (1922-1943): Under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, Italy became a major power in Europe, known for its aggressive militarism and authoritarian politics.
• The Great Depression (1929-1939): A global economic downturn that had a devastating impact on societies around the world, contributing to the rise of extremist ideologies and the outbreak of World War II.
• The appeasement policy (1933-1939): The policy of giving in to Nazi Germany's demands in the hope of avoiding war, which ultimately emboldened Hitler's aggressive expansionism.
• The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939): A non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which allowed Hitler to focus on Western Europe and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
• 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, including the promotion of democracy, self-determination, and economic cooperation.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of nationalist and militarist ideologies in Europe and Asia in the early 20th century.
• Effect: The outbreak of World War I and the subsequent redrawing of the global map.
• Long-term consequence: The rise of fascist and communist regimes, the decline of colonial empires, and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.
• Cause: The economic crisis of the Great Depression.
• Effect: The rise of extremist ideologies and the outbreak of World War II.
• Long-term consequence: The devastation of Europe and Asia, the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the reorganization of the international order.
• Cause: The appeasement policy of Western powers towards Nazi Germany.
• Effect: The emboldening of Hitler's aggressive expansionism and the outbreak of World War II.
• Long-term consequence: The devastation of Europe and Asia, the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the reorganization of the international order.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Imperialism*: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
• *Nationalism*: A political ideology that emphasizes the importance of national identity and the interests of one's own nation.
• *Fascism*: A totalitarian and authoritarian ideology that emphasizes the importance of national unity and the suppression of individual rights.
• *Communism*: A political ideology that advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society.
• *Appeasement*: A policy of giving in to an aggressor's demands in the hope of avoiding war.
• *Totalitarianism*: A system of government in which the state has complete control over all aspects of society.
• *Globalization*: The increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies.
• *Colonialism*: The policy of establishing colonies in other countries and exploiting their resources.
• *Soviet Union*: A socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991 and was characterized by a planned economy and a one-party system.
• *Atlantic Charter*: 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.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles was a fair and just peace settlement.
• Correction: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant territorial losses and reparations, which many historians argue contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany.
• What students often get wrong: The Great Depression was caused by a single event, such as the stock market crash of 1929.
• Correction: The Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors, including the stock market crash, overproduction, underconsumption, and bank failures.
• What students often get wrong: The appeasement policy was a successful strategy for avoiding war.
• Correction: The appeasement policy ultimately emboldened Hitler's aggressive expansionism and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the causes and consequences of the rise of fascist and communist regimes in Europe and Asia in the early 20th century. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the rise of Nazi Germany, the Russian Revolution, and the Japanese invasion of China.
• Possible document-based question: Evaluate the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the outbreak of World War II. Be sure to include specific documents, such as the Treaty of Versailles itself, the Treaty of Berlin, and the speeches of Woodrow Wilson and Adolf Hitler.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the role of the United States in the post-World War II international order. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the Atlantic Charter, the Truman Doctrine, and the Marshall Plan.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the main cause of the Great Depression? a) The stock market crash of 1929 b) Overproduction and underconsumption c) Bank failures d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above Explanation: The Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors, including the stock market crash, overproduction, underconsumption, and bank failures.

1. What was the result of the appeasement policy towards Nazi Germany? a) The outbreak of World War II b) The rise of fascist Italy c) The decline of colonial empires d) The emergence of the Soviet Union as a superpower

Answer: a) The outbreak of World War II Explanation: The appeasement policy ultimately emboldened Hitler's aggressive expansionism and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

1. What was the main goal of the Atlantic Charter? a) To promote democracy and self-determination b) To establish a new world order c) To promote economic cooperation d) To establish a new international organization

Answer: a) To promote democracy and self-determination Explanation: The Atlantic Charter was 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, including the promotion of democracy, self-determination, and economic cooperation.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
• The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939.
• The appeasement policy was pursued by Britain and France towards Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1939.
• The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed on August 23, 1939.
• The Atlantic Charter was issued on August 14, 1941.
• The Soviet Union was established on December 30, 1922.
• The United States emerged as a superpower after World War II.
• The Treaty of Berlin was signed on June 28, 1871.
• The Boxer Rebellion was a Chinese anti-foreigner and anti-Christian uprising that took place from 1899 to 1901.
• The Scramble for Africa was a period of intense colonial expansion in Africa that took place from 1881 to 1914.