Ap World History Unit 6 Study Guide

AP World History Unit 6 Study Guide: Navigating the Challenges of the 20th Century

The 20th century, a period of unprecedented technological advancement and global interconnectedness, also witnessed devastating conflicts and ideological clashes. Unit 6 of AP World History delves into this complex era, exploring the causes and consequences of major global conflicts, the rise and fall of empires, the emergence of new nations, and the ongoing struggle for human rights and equality. This study guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key themes and concepts covered in this unit, equipping you with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to succeed on the AP exam.

Key Concepts and Themes

Before diving into specific events and developments, it's crucial to understand the overarching themes that shaped the 20th century. These include:

• Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, communication, and cultural exchange. While globalization offered opportunities for economic growth and cultural enrichment, it also led to new forms of exploitation and inequality.
• Imperialism and Decolonization: The decline of European empires and the emergence of independent nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This process was often fraught with conflict and instability, as newly independent states struggled to establish stable governments and economies.
• Total War: The mobilization of entire societies for war, involving not only soldiers but also civilians and industries. This concept reached its peak during World War I and World War II, resulting in unprecedented levels of destruction and loss of life.
• Ideologies: The rise of competing ideologies, such as communism, fascism, and democracy, which shaped political and social movements around the world. These ideologies often clashed, leading to conflicts and revolutions.
• Human Rights: The growing awareness of human rights and the struggle for equality and social justice. This movement challenged traditional forms of oppression and discrimination, leading to significant social and political changes.

World War I (1914-1918)

World War I, often called the "Great War," was a global conflict that reshaped the political landscape of Europe and had far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world.

Causes of World War I

Several factors contributed to the outbreak of World War I, including:

• Militarism: The aggressive build-up of military forces and the belief in the necessity of military strength. This created an atmosphere of tension and suspicion among European powers.
• Alliances: A complex web of alliances obligated nations to defend one another in case of attack. This meant that a localized conflict could quickly escalate into a global war.
• Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources fueled rivalries among European powers. This led to territorial disputes and economic competition.
• Nationalism: Intense feelings of national pride and a desire for self-determination. This led to conflicts within multi-ethnic empires and fueled territorial disputes.
• The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo served as the immediate trigger for the war.

Major Events and Developments

• Trench Warfare: The Western Front became characterized by trench warfare, a brutal and static form of combat that resulted in immense casualties.
• New Technologies: World War I saw the introduction of new technologies, such as machine guns, tanks, and poison gas, which dramatically increased the scale and intensity of warfare.
• The Russian Revolution: The war led to the collapse of the Tsarist regime in Russia and the rise of the Bolsheviks, who established the world's first communist state.
• The Entry of the United States: The United States initially remained neutral but entered the war in 1917 after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
• The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, reparations payments, and military restrictions. This treaty is often seen as a contributing factor to the rise of extremism in Germany and the outbreak of World War II.

Consequences of World War I

• The Collapse of Empires: The war led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires, creating new nation-states in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
• The Rise of the United States: The United States emerged from the war as a major economic and political power.
• The League of Nations: The League of Nations was established to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars, but it proved to be ineffective due to its lack of enforcement power and the absence of major powers like the United States.
• Economic Depression: The war caused widespread economic disruption and contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930s.
• Social and Political Unrest: The war led to social and political unrest in many countries, as people struggled to cope with the aftermath of the conflict and the economic hardships that followed.

The Interwar Period (1919-1939)

The period between World War I and World War II was characterized by economic instability, political extremism, and growing international tensions.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was a worldwide economic crisis that had devastating consequences for many countries.

• Causes of the Great Depression: The causes of the Great Depression were complex and interconnected, including overproduction, speculation, and a lack of regulation in the financial system.
• Impact of the Great Depression: The Great Depression led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. It also contributed to the rise of extremism in many countries, as people looked for radical solutions to their problems.
• Government Responses to the Great Depression: Governments around the world responded to the Great Depression in different ways. Some adopted laissez-faire policies, while others implemented interventionist measures, such as public works projects and social welfare programs.

The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

The interwar period saw the rise of totalitarian regimes in several countries, including:

• The Soviet Union under Stalin: Stalin established a communist dictatorship in the Soviet Union, characterized by centralized control of the economy, political repression, and the cult of personality.
• Italy under Mussolini: Mussolini established a fascist dictatorship in Italy, characterized by nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of dissent.
• Germany under Hitler: Hitler established a Nazi dictatorship in Germany, characterized by racism, anti-Semitism, and aggressive expansionism.

Causes of World War II

The rise of totalitarian regimes and the failure of the League of Nations to maintain peace contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Other factors included:

• The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles created resentment and instability in Germany, which Hitler exploited to gain power.
• Appeasement: The policy of appeasement, adopted by Britain and France, allowed Hitler to expand German territory without facing significant opposition.
• Japanese Expansionism: Japan pursued an aggressive policy of expansion in Asia, invading Manchuria in 1931 and launching a full-scale war against China in 1937.

World War II (1939-1945)

World War II was an even more devastating conflict than World War I, involving countries from all over the world.

Major Events and Developments

• The Invasion of Poland: Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered the outbreak of World War II.
• The Holocaust: The Holocaust was the systematic genocide of Jews and other minority groups by the Nazi regime.
• The Battle of Stalingrad: The Battle of Stalingrad was a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front, marking the beginning of the Soviet Union's counteroffensive against Germany.
• The D-Day Invasion: The D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944 marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe.
• The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

Consequences of World War II

• The Creation of the United Nations: The United Nations was established to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars.
• The Cold War: The Cold War was a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by ideological conflict, an arms race, and proxy wars.
• Decolonization: World War II accelerated the process of decolonization, as European powers were weakened and nationalist movements gained strength in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• The Rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as Superpowers: The United States and the Soviet Union emerged from World War II as the dominant superpowers, shaping the global political landscape for decades to come.
• The Nuremberg Trials: The Nuremberg Trials held Nazi leaders accountable for their war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Cold War (1947-1991)

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. Although the two superpowers never directly engaged in large-scale military conflict, they armed themselves heavily in preparation for a potential all-out nuclear war.

Key Concepts and Events

• Ideological Conflict: The Cold War was fundamentally a conflict between two opposing ideologies: capitalism and democracy, represented by the United States, versus communism, represented by the Soviet Union.
• The Iron Curtain: The term "Iron Curtain," coined by Winston Churchill, symbolized the ideological and physical division of Europe into Eastern and Western blocs.
• The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan: The Truman Doctrine committed the United States to containing the spread of communism, while the Marshall Plan provided economic assistance to war-torn European countries to prevent them from falling under Soviet influence.
• The Berlin Blockade and Airlift: In 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, prompting the United States and its allies to launch a massive airlift to supply the city with food and supplies.
• The Korean War: The Korean War (1950-1953) was a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, fought on the Korean Peninsula.
• The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, as the United States and the Soviet Union confronted each other over the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
• The Vietnam War: The Vietnam War (1954-1975) was another proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, fought in Vietnam.
• Détente: A period of reduced tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1970s.
• The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 led to a renewed period of Cold War tension.
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall: The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of the Cold War.

Causes of the End of the Cold War

Several factors contributed to the end of the Cold War, including:

• Economic Problems in the Soviet Union: The Soviet economy was struggling to keep up with the West, leading to shortages and discontent among the population.
• Political Reforms in the Soviet Union: Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms such as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which weakened the communist system.
• Nationalist Movements in Eastern Europe: Nationalist movements in Eastern Europe challenged Soviet control and demanded greater autonomy.
• The Reagan Doctrine: The Reagan Doctrine supported anti-communist movements around the world, putting pressure on the Soviet Union.

Decolonization

Decolonization was the process by which European colonies gained independence after World War II.

Factors Contributing to Decolonization

• Weakening of European Powers: World War II weakened European powers, making it more difficult for them to maintain control over their colonies.
• Rise of Nationalist Movements: Nationalist movements in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East gained strength after World War II, demanding independence from colonial rule.
• Influence of the United Nations: The United Nations supported the principle of self-determination and pressured European powers to grant independence to their colonies.
• The Cold War: The Cold War influenced decolonization, as both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to gain influence in newly independent countries.

Challenges of Decolonization

• Political Instability: Newly independent countries often faced political instability, as they struggled to establish stable governments and economies.
• Economic Dependence: Many newly independent countries remained economically dependent on their former colonial powers.
• Ethnic and Religious Conflicts: Decolonization often led to ethnic and religious conflicts, as different groups competed for power.
• Neocolonialism: The term neocolonialism describes the continued economic and political influence of former colonial powers over their former colonies.

Globalization

Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

Key Aspects of Globalization

• Economic Globalization: The integration of national economies into the international economy through trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration, and the spread of technology.
• Political Globalization: The increasing importance of international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, in addressing global issues.
• Cultural Globalization: The spread of cultural products and ideas across national borders, leading to both cultural homogenization and cultural hybridity.

Impacts of Globalization

• Economic Growth: Globalization has contributed to economic growth in many countries, particularly in developing economies.
• Increased Inequality: Globalization has also led to increased inequality, both within and between countries.
• Environmental Degradation: Globalization has contributed to environmental degradation, as increased economic activity puts pressure on natural resources.
• Cultural Exchange: Globalization has led to greater cultural exchange, but also to concerns about the loss of cultural diversity.

Conclusion

Unit 6 of AP World History covers a vast and complex period in human history. By understanding the key concepts and themes, major events, and significant developments of the 20th century, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the forces that have shaped the world we live in today. Remember to focus on analyzing the causes and consequences of events, comparing and contrasting different perspectives, and drawing connections between different historical periods. Good luck with your studies!