Mr. Klaff has songs, test taking tips, study guides, etc. for both US History AND Global Studies!

 

This is a phenomenal site to use to study for local exams as well as district and state exams (AKA, THE REGENTS!)~

 

Try it!  You will love it!

Read through this "quick" review outline a couple of times BEFORE taking the exam:

 

 

Global Review – PART I

 

Neolithic Revolution (8000-3000BC)

-          “New Stone Age”

-          Key Developments:

o   Agriculture (farming) & Domestication of Animals

-          Humans no longer nomads (hunters & gatherers)

-          Permanent villages with farms eventually led to civilizations

 

Civilization

-          First civilizations began in river valleys

o Fertile soil (silt from the river)

o Irrigation for crops

o River provided transportation

-          Early river valley civilizations first developed around:

o Tigris & Euphrates (Middle East – Mesopotamia -- Sumer)

o Nile (Egypt)

o Indus (India)

o Yellow & Yangtze (China)

-          Civilizations are organized and include:

o government

o social classes

o job specialization

o food surplus

o writing

o religious beliefs

 

Ancient River Valley Civilizations

-          Common Features:

o Developed in river valleys

o Polytheistic (Belief in many gods)

o Traditional economic systems with these characteristics:

Barter (trade without money)

Subsistence agriculture (farming without a surplus – just enough to feed the family)

People have same occupation as parents (usually related to farming)

-          Egypt (Nile)

o Developed Hieroglyphics

Writing using picture symbols

o Constructed Pyramids to bury Pharaohs (Kings)

-          Mesopotamia/Sumer (Tigris & Euphrates)

o Developed Cuneiform

Writing using wedge-shaped symbols

o Code of Hammurabi

Oldest written laws known for harsh punishment of crimes (“an eye for an eye”)

Laws about rules of expected behavior

Laws displayed in public for all to see

-          Harappan (Indus)

o Urban (city) areas were organized and well planned

-          China (Yellow & Yangtze)

o Very isolated from other civilizations due to natural boundaries (mountains and deserts)

 

Classical Civilizations

-          The following are considered Classical Civilizations:

o Greece

o Rome

o India

o China

-          Most classical civilizations had a Golden Age

o Period of great achievements in art, literature, math and science

 

Greece

-          Geography: 

o Irregular coastline

o Mountainous

Caused separate city states

Greece Not a united civilization.  Separate city states very independent.  Each had own governments and land.  Athens and Sparta most famous Greek city states.

-          Religion

o Polytheistic

o Olympic Games held to honor their god, Zeus

-          Sparta

o Military Society

o Citizens had very little freedom

o Most of life spent training for warfare

-          Athens

o First democracy in world

Direct Democracy – citizens (adult males born in Athens) voted on laws and elected leaders

Most of life spent focusing on culture and philosophy and writing

Philosophers:  Socrates, Aristotle & Plato

Writers:  Homer

-          Alexander the Great

o Conquered Greece, Egypt, Persia (Iran) and part of India

o Hellenistic Culture  (Greek culture = Hellenic culture)

Alexander the Great spread Hellenic culture to all the areas he conquered.  The word Hellenistic is used to describe the mix of Greek, Egyptian, Persian and Indian culture

Cultural Diffusion (means culture diffuses from one area to another)

 Rome

-          Peninsula of Italy

-          Began as a small city-state but eventually created a large empire by conquering the regions that surrounded the Mediterranean Sea

-          Key Features/Achievements:

o Trade & Transportation Networks

United the areas of their empire

Grew wealthy from trade

Helped spread culture

o Twelve Tables of Rome

Written laws stated Rules of Behavior

Created stability (order) in society

Laws displayed in public for all to see

Laws favored wealthy

o Legal Ideas

Developed important legal ideas still in use today (“innocent until proven guilty”)

o  Pax Romana

Means “Roman Peace”

200 year Golden Age of Rome

Extensive trade and great achievements in art, literature, math and science

India

-          During classical period, India ruled by two successful dynasties (families of rulers):  Maurya Dynasty & Gupta Dynasty

o Maurya Dynasty

Asoka – Famous ruler of India who wrote the laws of India on tall Rock Pillars (columns) displayed throughout India.  Asoka converted to Buddhism during his reign and is known for his kind treatment of people and animals

o Gupta Dynasty

Considered the Golden Age of India – Many achievements in art, literature, math and science

Invention of zero in math

Development of Sanskrit writing

Beautiful Buddhist paintings

-          Caste System

-            Social heirarchy

- People born into a social class (caste) and remained in that class for their entire life. Castes:

- Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaisyas (merchants), Sudras (laborers), Untouchables (worst jobs).

China

• During the classical period, China ruled by two main Dynasties (families of rulers): The Quin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty

  • Quin Dynasty

    • Lasted only 15 years. Government based on Legalism (Believe that humans are evil and harsh punishment is needed to keep order in society) – similar to Code of Hammurabi

  • Han Dynasty

    • Lasted 400 years

    • Trade and Transportation Networks – like Roman Empire, developed a system of roads. Han Dynasty grew wealthy through trade

    • Civil Service System – government positions given only to skilled people who passed difficult exams. Chinese were first to use this kind of system.

Silk Road

• The Silk Road was long trade route (4000 miles) from China to the Mediterranean Sea. Connected different civilizations and brought about Cultural Diffusion through exchange of products (like silk), religious ideas (like Buddhism), language, food, etc...

Monotheistic Religions (belief in only one God).

• Three main monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity

• Code of Conduct (behavior). All 3 monotheistic religions have codes of behavior issued by God that state the religious and moral/ethical obligations (duties) of followers:

  • The Ten Commandments: Code of behavior for Jews and Christians (do not kill, do not steal, do not worship false gods, etc...)

  • The Five Pillars: Code of behavior for Muslims (make a pilgrimage to Mecca, pray five times a day, etc...)

Religions/Philosophies of India

• Hinduism

  • Reincarnation: Idea that after humans die, their souls are reborn into another body.

  • Karma: Belief that all of the good and bad deeds one does during their life will affect which level of life one is reborn at. (good deeds=higher level, bad deeds=lower) This is the Caste System (social class)

  • Goal of Hinduism is Moksha – Ending reincarnation and stopping the cycle of death and rebirth.

• Buddhism

  • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (called Buddha = enlightened one)

  • Buddhists believe in Karma and reincarnation (similar to Hinduism)

  • Goal of Buddhism is Nirvana – Ending cycle of death and rebirth

    • Believe Nirvana can be achieved when people accept the Four Noble Truths and follow the Eightfold Path

      • Four Noble Truths – all life is suffering and suffering is caused by our selfish desires.

      • Eightfold Path – a code of behavior that requires followers to resist evil, meditate, act kindly toward others, etc...

Philosophies of China

• Legalism

  • Based on idea that humans are evil and harsh punishments is needed to prevent crime and maintain order

• Confucianism

  • Major philosophy of China. Main teachings include:

    • Five Relationships – idea that every person has specific roles and obligations (subjects must obey their ruler, wives obey their husbands, children obey their parents, etc...)

    • Filial Piety – idea that people must honor and respect the elders of their family

Nature Religions

• Believe both living and non-living things have a spirit

  • Two common nature religions are Shinto (Japan) and Animism (Africa)

Byzantine Empire (500-1453AD)

• Western area of Roman Empire conquered by Germanic tribes (476AD) and eastern portion survived and became Byzantine Empire

• Key features/achievements:

  • People mainly Greek (language and culture)

  • Constantinople – Capital of Byzantine Empire. Located along major waterways and linked Asia and Europe

  • Eastern Orthodox religion – branch of Christianity. Hagia Sophia was a famous church in Byzantine Empire

  • Justinian Code – Written system of laws created by Emperor Justinian that was later adopted by various European Civilizations. Largely based on laws of Roman Empire.

  • Preservation of Greek and Roman culture – saved, preserved important texts created by Greeks and Romans

• Cultural Diffusion – Byzantine Empire had a major influence on Russia. Russia received Eastern Orthodox Religion and the Cyrillic Alphabet from Byzantines

Legal Systems of Ancient/Classical worlds

• 3 Main ones to remember for regents – and remember that these legal systems were all standardized (written) and helped maintain order in society:

  • Code of Hammurabi (written laws of Mesopotamia) – harsh punishment of crimes

  • Twelve Tables of Rome (written laws of Roman Empire) – favored wealthy

  • Justinian Code (written laws of Byzantine Empire) – based on old Roman laws, later adopted by many European countries.

Golden Age of Islam

• Islam

  • Monotheistic. Believe in God called Allah.

  • Followers of Islam called Muslims.

  • Holy book of Islam: Koran (Qu'ran)

  • Five Pillars. Religious/ethical duties and obligations of all Muslims (make pilgrimage to Mecca, pray 5x a day, etc...)

  • Muhammad. Founder. Born in Mecca (holiest city of Islam). He is believed by Muslims to be the last of God's prophets (messengers to the people).

• Golden Age. After the death of Muhammad. Muslim armies conquered much of Middle East, northern Africa and southern Spain.

  • The Islamic world experienced “Golden Age” making amazing achievements in math, science, medicine, philosophy and art. Some key achievements of this period include:

    • Medical encyclopedias created

    • Algebra

    • Artwork: Calligraphy, Carpets, Textiles

The Middle Ages

• Period of time in Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire and before Renaissance

• Feudalism

  • Political system where kings gave land to nobles in return for loyalty/military service

  • Nobles that received land served as knights. Knights followed code of chivalry (stressing loyalty and bravery)

  • Feudalism considered to be a decentralized political system because kings gave away power to nobles who each controlled their own local areas

  • Land was the basis of wealth and power.

  • Feudalism brought social stability, order and structure

• Manorialism

  • People lived on manors (area of land owned by a noble)

  • Each manor had homes, farmland, water, artisans and serfs (peasants who performed farm labor and could not leave the land)

  • Caused a decrease in trade during Middle Ages (because the manor was self-sufficient)

• Religion

  • Roman Catholic church (especially the Pope) was very wealthy and influenced the kings

• Crusades

  • Religious wars in which Christians fought to regain control of the Holy Land from Muslims. The Holy Land is a sacred area of the Middle East that includes Jerusalem

  • Causes of Crusades:

    • Christians believed their sins would be forgiven if they fought for God

    • Christians believed the Holy Land should not be controlled my Muslims

    • Poor Europeans wanted to escape from Feudalism

    • Europeans hoped to gain wealth from Middle East

• Effects of Crusades:

  • Trade increased

  • Cultural diffusion

  • Europeans learned of Muslim achievements (made during Golden Age)

  • Feudalism declined (nobles killed, serfs escaped)

Golden Age of China (Tang and Song Dynasities)

• Golden age of China took place during the Tang and Song Dynasties.

• Achievements in arts, science, math and literature

  • Gunpowder, Compass, Block Printing, Porcelain

• Silk Road

• Cultural Diffusion. Buddhism became popular in China as the ideas of this religion entered China through the Silk Road

• Civil Service Exams. Only highly qualified people could pass the tests to work in government.

Early Japanese History

• Geography

  • Archipelago: a country that consists of a group of islands

  • Long, irregular coastline

  • Mountainous.

    • Terrace farming. Small “terraces” carved out of the sides of mountains

• Religion

  • 1^st: Shinto (Animism). Belief that living and non-living things have a spirit

  • 2^nd Buddhism.

• Influence of China on Japan

  • Cultural Diffusion. Japan was GREATLY influenced by China. Japan received many important things from the Chinese:

    • Writing, Buddhism, Tea

• Japanese Feudalism

  • Similar to Europe in Middle Ages.

    • Emperor and Shogun (Military General) were rulers

    • Daimyo were wealthy nobles who received land from Emperor or Shogun in return for loyalty and military service

    • Samurai were warriors (like knights of Middle Ages). Pledged loyalty, fought when necessary, followed code of behavior called Bushido (like chivalry). Both codes emphasized loyalty and bravery

• Considered decentralized as power was given to different local leaders

• Brought order and stability to society

African Civilizations

• Geography

  • Very diverse. Includes deserts (Sahara), grasslands and rainforests

  • Africa currently having problems with desertification (the spreading of the desert lands). The Sahara continues to grow and reduced amount of farmland available.

• Cultural Differences.

  • No two societies are alike because of Africa's very diverse geographic features

• Religion

  • Animism (traditional religion which is native (began in) Africa. (Similar to Shinto in Japan). Beliefs living and non living things have a spirit

• Bantu Migrations

  • One of the largest migrations of people in history

  • Due to shortage of land, the Bantu People scattered throughout southern Africa

  • Major effects of migration:

    • Spread of Bantu language, Iron technology, Agriculture (farming) techniques

West African Civilizations

• Three of Africas greatest civilizations developed in West Africa:

  • Ghana, Mali and Songhai.

    • All grew wealthy because they were located on the Trans-Saharan trade route and traded their gold for the salt people needed to survive.

• Mansa Musa. Most famous ruler of Mali. Important for several reasons:

  • Devoted Muslim who spread Islam in West Africa

  • Made a pilgrimage to Mecca

  • Turned the city of Timbuktu into a center of trade and Islamic learning

Mongols

• Introduction

• Mongol people originated on the steppes (grassy plains) of Central Asia

• Lived in harsh physical environment and survived as nomadic pastoralists (raising animals and migrating often in search of grazing lands for these animals)

• Empire

  • Genghis Khan. Skilled military leader. Conquered so much land that they established the largest empire in all of history.

    • Land included China, Central Asia, Russia and much of Middle East

• Marco Polo

  • Italian merchant who visited Mongols in China and remained for almost 20 years

  • Returned to Italy and wrote down his experiences with Mongols.

    • Writings are a valuable primary resource to teach us about China at that time

    • Writings increased the desire of Europeans to trade with China

• Important Influences

  • Trade and travel between Europe and Asia increased during Mongol rule

  • Influenced Russia by keeping Russia isolated from developments in Western Europe and taught Russia how to have a centralized government (one ruler in control)

  • Mongols were first foreign group to completely conquer China

Transformation of Western Europe

• Black Death

  • Bubonic plague that killed 25 million people in Europe during late Middle Ages

  • Started in East Asia and spread to Europe over trade routes as different people interacted

  • Caused depopulation of Europe (1/3 of population died), decreased Feudalism and Trade

• Renaissance (1400-1600)

  • The Golden Age of Western Europe

  • Began in Italy

    • Italian city-states (Venice and Florence) were wealthy and supported artists

  • Amazing achievements in art, literature and science

    • Famous artists: Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci

  • Renaissance scholars studied art and books from ancient Greece and Rome

    • Niccolo Machiavelli. Wrote “The Prince” which was a guide for government leaders which stated rulers must have absolute power and do whatever is necessary to stay in power (even if that means dishonest and cruel behavior)

      • The end justifies the means

  • Humanism. Focused on humans and life on earth instead of on God and heaven

Protestant Reformation (1500s)

• Religious revolution that challenged the Catholic Church

• Causes of:

  • Europeans were angry that the Catholic Church was too concerned with money and power

  • Europeans were angry about Indulgence: Reductions in punishment/forgiveness of sins

that were sold by the Catholic Church (which only wealthy could afford)

• Key leaders of reformation:

  • Martin Luther – monk - wrote 95-Thesis (95 arguments against sale of indulgences)

  • Henry VIII – king of England who separated from Catholic Church because he wanted to divorce his wife

  • John Calvin – believed in predestination (idea that God already knows who will be saved)

• Effects of reformation:

  • Power of Catholic Church and the Pope decreased

  • Power of kings increased

  • Religious unity in Europe came to an end

The Printing Press

• Invented by Johannes Gutenberg

• Spread new ideas quickly

  • Spread the Protestant Reformation

• Increased literacy (ability to read and write) since books were now easier/cheaper

Pre-Columbian Civilizations of Americas

• Introduction

  • Pre-Columbian societies developed in Americas before arrival of Europeans

• Three Main pre-columbian: Maya, Aztec and Inca

• All three were organized, developed and advanced civilizations at the time

• Maya

  • Achievements: calendar, form of writing, math, concept of Zero

• Aztec

  • Tenochtitlan: Capital city of Aztec Empire

  • Achievements: calendar, form of writing, Chinampas (floating gardens)

  • Conquered by Spanish (Hernan Cortez)

• Inca

  • Lived in Andes Mountains (Peru)

  • Machu Picchu: Most famous site of the Inca

  • Achievements: large network of roads which improved trade and transportation, terrace farming (like Japanese). Carved terraces into sides of mountains.

  • Conquered by Spanish (Francisco Pizarro)

Age of Exploration

• Introduction

  • Sea exploration (voyages) began. Europeans sailed to Americas, Africa and Asia

    • Spain and Portugal were first to begin voyages

• Causes of:

  • Europeans wanted spices and other products from Asia

    • Needed to find a sea route to Asia since Muslims controlled land routes

• Improvements in sailing technology made long sea voyages possible:

  • compass, cartography (science of making maps)

• Key explorers:

  • Bartholomeu Dias (sailed around Africa's Cape of Good Hope)

  • Vasco DaGama (sailed to India by going around Cape of Good Hope)

  • Christopher Columbus (sailed to Americas)

  • Ferdinand Magellan (sailed around the globe)

• Effects of age of exploration:

  • The Americas: Spanish and Portugues colonized Americas

    • Encomienda System: Labor system in which Native Americans were forced to work on Spanish farm plantations or in Spanish mines

    • Millions of Native Americans died due to disease brought by Europeans (smallpox)

• Africa

  • Europeans took slaves from Africa to work on farm plantations

• Triangular Trade: Trade route between Europe, Africa and Americas – capturing slaves in Africa, trading slaves for goods from America, returning to Europe to sell goods

• Mercantilism: idea that colonies exist only to make Mother Country wealthy

• Columbian Exchange: exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas and technology between “Old World” Europe and “New World” Americas

  • Cultural Diffusion increased

  • Trade increased

  • Death increased in Americas (due to disease like smallpox brought from Europe)

Commercial Revolution

• New businesses introduced during Age of Exploration

  • Joint-stock companies (investors)

  • Expansion of banking

  • Capitalism (profits from one project are reinvested into other projects to make more money)

Travelers of Global I:

Three who wrote extensively about their travels & helped increase trade & cultural diffusion:

• Marco Polo (Italian merchant who traveled to China over Silk Road)

• Ibn Battuta (Arab/Muslim who traveled over 75,000 miles and visited Africa, Asia & Europe

• Zheg He (Chinese explorer of Ming Dynasty who sailed to Southeast Asia, India and West coast of Africa)

GLOBAL – PART II

Age of Absolutism (1600s-1700s)

• Period in European history when nations were ruled by absolute monarchs (kings who controled every aspect of life)

• Key features of absolute monarchs:

  • centralized political control (didn't share power with anyone else)

  • believed in Divine Right (idea that kings received their power to rule directly from God)

  • believed power unlimited (made laws without approval of people)

  • many helped to expand the territory of their nations by taking over neighboring lands

• Some important absolute monarchs:

  • Peter the Great (Russia). Westernized Russia (imitated the customs/traditions of Western European countries)

  • Louis XIV (France)

  • Philip II (Spain)

  • Henry VIII (England)

  • Suleiman the Magnificent (Ottoman Empire)

Intellectual Revolutions of Europe (1500s-1600s)

• Scientific Revolution

  • Science and Reason (logic) used to explain how world worked. People no longer turned to the Bible or Catholic Church for answers. Scientific Method of answering questions evolved during this time.

  • Key people:

    • Copernicus (developed Heliocentric Theory that planets revolve around the sun)

    • Galileo (proved Copernicus correct. Put on trial by Catholic Church because his ideas went against the teachings of the Church – which stated the sun and planets revolve around earth)

    • Sir Isaac Newton (developed calculus and Theory of Gravity)

• Key effects:

  • Spread of new ideas throughout Europe

  • Challenged traditional authority (power) of Catholic Church

  • New ideas led to the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment (1700s)

• Period in European history when reason (logic) used to understand and improve society (also known as “The Age of Reason”

• Enlightenment philosophers believed:

  • governments received their power from the people, Not God. (Democracy)

  • society should be ruled and improved by using logic and reason and natural law.

• Key people:

  • John Locke (believed all people have natural rights: right to life, liberty and property)

  • Baron de Montesquieu (believed governments should be divided into three branches to prevent one from being too strong. Began concept of executive, legislative and judicial branches as a separation of powers and concept of checks and balances in government)

  • Voltaire (believed everyone is entitled to freedom of speech and religion)

  • Rousseau (believed that society is a social contract – an agreement in which people work for the common good of society

• Key effects:

  • Caused political revolutions in France, Latin America and US since philosophers believed people could overthrow unfair governments

Political Revolutions

• English Revolution (aka Glorious Revolution)

  • people of England successfully limited the power of their monarchs (kings)

  • Key effects:

    • England's government became a limited (constitutional) monarchy. Where power of monarch was decreased by written laws

    • English king had to share power with Parliament (the lawmaking body of English government which represents the people of England)

    • Written laws that decreased the power of the English king:

      • Magna Carta, Petition of Right, English Bill of Rights, Habeus Corpus

• French Revolution and Napolean

  • people of France overthrew king Louis XVI and fought for more rights

  • Key causes:

    • French ruled by absolute monarch who abused their power and took away the rights of the people.

    • Peasants were angry. French society divided into three social classes. The lowest were peasants with very few rights who had the least amount of money, but paid the highest taxes.

    • France was in an economic crisis because kings spent too much money on themselves and put the country into debt

    • Ideas of Enlightenment inspired French to overthrow their unfair kings

• Key events:

  • Declaration of Rights of Man (document written to give equal rights to men of France and create a fair system of taxation)

  • Reign of Terror (leaders of French Revolution executed thousands who they believed were loyal to the king. Robespierre was the leader of the radical group (Jacobins) leading this execution)

• Key effects:

  • King Louis XVI executed

  • Middle class of France gained more power and rights

• Napoleon Bonaparte

  • Ruler who came into power at the end of the French Revolution

  • Expanded French territory by conquering neighboring lands in Europe

    • Made French feel nationalism (pride in their country)

    • Defeated in 1812 because he made a mistake when he invaded Russia in the winter. The freezing weather of Russia killed thousands of his soldiers. The same mistake was made by Hitler during WWII

• Latin American Revolutions

  • Latin American countries (in Central America, South America and the Caribbean) fought to gain independence from Spain, Portugal and France

  • Key causes:

    • Governments of Latin America controlled by Peninsulares (people born in Spain and Portugal) who treated people of Latin America poorly

      • Creoles (Europeans born in Latin America), Mestizos (mixed Europeans/Native Americans) and NativeAmerican and African slaves demanded more rights

• Idea of the Enlightenment inspired the fight for independence

• American and French Revolutions inspired Latin Americans to overthrow their unfair governments

• Key leaders in fight for independence (all are considered nationalists because they loved their nations and wanted to free them from European control):

  • Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, Miguel Hidalgo, Toussaint L'Ouverture

• After gaining independence, attempts were made to unify the different areas of Latin America but all attempts failed because the areas are separated by many natural boundaries (Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, etc.) which prevented communication between regions

The Industrial Revolution (1700s-1800s)

• Change from producing goods by hand to producing goods with machines in factories

• Began in Great Britain (England) because it had many natural resources (coal, iron, waterways) that are necessary to produce and transport goods

• Key effects:

  • Industrialization (Machines used to produce goods)

  • Urbanization (growth of cities)

  • Pollution (mainly in urban areas from smoke that came out of factories)

  • Bad working conditions (dangerous conditions tolerated for long hours and low pay – young children often hired and abused in factories)

  • Formation of Labor Unions (workers formed unions to fight for improved pay and working conditions)

  • Legislation (governments passed laws to set a minimum wage and end child labor)

• Laissez Faire Capitalism (Market Economy) – the economic system that was used during the Industrial Revolution based on ideas that businesses should be owned by individuals NOT government and business decisions should be made by individuals NOT government

• Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels

  • Believed laissez faire capitalism was bad. Argued that it allowed greedy factory owners to take advantage of poor factory workers

  • Wrote “Communist Manifesto” which said:

    • All of history has been about struggle between the classes (the “haves” and “have nots”)

    • Bourgeoisie (wealthy and greedy) take advantage of the Proletariat (poor workers) to earn more money for themselves

    • Proletariat should overthrow Bourgeoisie in a violet revolution to end laissez faire capitalism and create a new kind of society where work and wealth are shared equally and social classes no longer existed (This is the basis of Communism)

Nationalism

Feeling of love, loyalty and devotion to one's country

• Unification of Italy

  • Due to feelings of nationalism, the Italian speaking people of Italy wanted to combine their separate states to form one united nation with one government.

    • Unification in 1870 due to the efforts of 3 nationalists:

      • Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini & Count Camillo di Cavour

• Unification of German

  • Similar to Italy. Nationalism led to the unification of Germany in 1871. Due to efforts of Otto von Bismark (used “blood and iron” policy)

• Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire

  • Nationalism led ethnic minorities in these lands to gain independence for their own nations

• Ireland

  • In 1801, Great Britain (England) took over Ireland

  • Potato Famine

    • 1 million Irish people died of starvation when potato crop failed to grow

    • Over 1 million migrated to the United States to escape the famine

• Due to Nationalism, many people in Ireland did not want to be ruled by Great Britain. In 1921, South Ireland gained independence from Great Britain. North Ireland remained part of Great Britain

Imperialism

Also called colonization. A strong country takes over a weaker country.

• During 19^th century, many European (Western) nations (Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy) took over lands throughout Africa and Asia

• Causes of:

  • European nations wanted raw materials/natural resources

  • “White Man's Burden” - a racist poem that encouraged Europeans to “civilize” the people that they took over by teaching them European customs and religion. The poem referred to the people of Asia and Africa as “half devil” and “half child”

  • Social Darwinism – “Survival of the Fittest” - idea that it was natural for strong countries (like European nations) to take over weaker countries (Africa and Asia)

Imperialism in India, China & Africa

• Effects:

  • Europeans had a negative impact on regions they colonized:

    • “Scramble for Africa” (Over 90% of Africa was taken over by European nations)

    • China (British smuggled Opium – and addictive drug – into China and Chinese fought back. The Chinese were defeated and China was carved into “spheres of influence” which were areas where trade was controlled by different European nations)

    • India (Taken over and ruled by Great Britain for almost 200 yrs.)

• People of Africa and Asia did not like being ruled by European nations. They fought many wars to gain independence

  • Sepoy Mutiny (Rebellion in which India tried but failed)

  • Boxer Rebellion (Rebellion in which China tried but failed)

Imperialism in Japan

• From 1600-1854, Japan was isolated and wanted little contact with the rest of the world

• 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry of the US sailed into Japan in order to open up trade with that country

• Meiji Restoration

  • period of time when Japan began rapid Modernization and Westernization

    • Modernization: Japan industrialized – built factories, roads, communication, etc.

    • Westernization: Japan adopted customs and techniques of Western countries. Japan changed its government, military, education system and technology to become more like Europe and the US

• As a result of the Meiji Restoration. Japan became a powerful, modern, industrial country. Japan needed natural resources/raw materials for their factories. They began to take over other countries (Korea and part of China) in order to get these resources.

World War I (1914-1918)

• Global conflict fought mainly in Europe

• Causes of: (M.A.I.N.)

  • Militarism – countries in Europe (especially Germany and Britain) built up their armies and their supply of weapons

  • Alliances – countries in Europe divided themselves into two military alliances (The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente) in order to prepare for war. This increased tension in Europe

  • Imperialism – countries in Europe compete with each other to take over Africa, Asia and the Balkans (Southeastern Europe)

  • Nationalism – ethnic groups in the Balkans wanted to gain independence from Austria-Hungary

• Began with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary) by the Slavic nationalists in the Balkans

• Treaty of Versailles ended WWI.

  • Treaty severely punished Germany in a number of ways:

    • Germany forced to accept blame for WWI

    • Germany forced to pay 30 billion for damages

    • Germany forced to decrease size of military

    • Germany forced to give up some of its lands

• Treaty's harsh treatment of Germany eventually brought rise to Hitler and the Nazis and caused WWII

• Key effects:

  • Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire broken apart

  • Armenian Massacre: The Turks of the Ottoman Empire attempted to kill all of the Armenians (This is an example of Genocide – the attempted extermination of an entire ethnic group. Genocide is considered to be the ultimate violation of human rights)

  • Women in Europe gained suffrage (the right to vote)

The Russian Revolution (Bolshevik Revolution) of 1917

The people of Russia overthrew their Czar (king) and created a new government

• Causes of:

  • Russian people were unhappy with their government for several reasons:

    • WWI – Russia suffered many casualties and WWI created food shortages in Russia

    • Czar Nicholas II denied the Russian people their rights

• Bolsheviks

  • Radical (extreme) group that led the Russian Revolutions

  • Vladimir Lenin was leader of Bolsheviks

  • Lenin and Bolsheviks gained support of Russian people by promising to provide them with “Peace, Land and Bread”.

• Effects of:

  • Czar Nicholas II executed

  • Lenin and
    Bolsheviks came to power in Russia

  • Russia became a Communist nation

Nationalism between World Wars

• Turkey

  • After WWI, Ottoman Empire broken apart and all that remained of Empire was Turkey

  • Kemal Ataturk – First president of Turkey – made changes to strengthen Turkey

    • Westernization (took on customs and traditions of European countries)

    • Democracy

    • Eliminated Islamic laws and created Secular (non-religious) laws

• Zionism

  • National movement of Jews

  • Goal of Zionists after WWI was to create an official nation for Jews in the Holy Land (including sacred city of Jerusalem)

  • Jews and Palestinians (Arab Muslims) were fighting for control of same territory

• India

  • After WWI, India increased its demands for independence from Great Britain

  • Mohandas Gandhi

    • Famous nationalist who used only non-violent methods to fight for independence (also called civil disobedience or passive resistance)

    • Salt March: Gandhi protested British taxes on salt by leading a peaceful march to the sea to make his own salt

    • Boycott: Gandhi encouraged people of India to boycott (stop buying) British products

Totalitarianism between World Wars

• Totalitarian dictatorships are governments where one ruler has complete (total) control over ALL aspects of life (political, social and economic)

• After WWI, totalitarian dictatorships were established in 3 countries under 3 men:

  • Stalin (Soviet Union)

  • Mussolini (Italy)

  • Hitler (Germany)

• All 3 totalitarian dictatorships had common characteristics:

  • Censorship (ended freedom of speech. Government completely controlled the media)

• One political party (Stalin=Communist, Mussolini=Fascist, Hitler=Nazi)

• People expected to put needs of country before their own needs

• Eliminated opposition using secret police force

• Used propaganda (messages that were meant to influence the way people thought)

• Hitler and Mussolini came to power because Germany and Italy were facing severe economic problems (inflation and unemployment) and people in these countries believed Hitler and Mussolini could solve these problems

Totalitarianism under Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union/Russia)

• Stalin established a Communist economy (an economic system where government (not individuals) own businesses and makes business decisions (includes setting prices)

• Five Year Plans (Stalin tried to modernize the industry and agriculture of Soviet Union by setting economic goals every five years)

• Collectivization (Stalin took over the individual farms and created government (collective) farms

• Stalin took away food from the people of the Ukraine when the resisted. Millions of Ukraine citizens died of forced starvation (and human rights violation)

World War II (1939-1945)

Events leading to WWII:

• Japanese Aggression

  • Japan took over Korea, Manchuria and much of Southeast Asia in order to gain natural resources/raw materials

  • Rape of Nanking. A brutal event in which the Japanese raped and killed Chinese civilians in the city of Nanking. This was a major human rights violation.

• Italian Aggression

  • Mussolini invaded Ethiopia

• German Aggression

  • Adolf Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by:

    • building up the German military and drafting soldiers into the army

    • placing soldiers in Rhineland (area between Germany and France)

    • taking over Austria & Czechoslovakia

• WWII took place mainly because little was done to stop Hitler, Mussolini or Japan

  • The League of Nations was an international organization created after WWI. If failed to stop Hitler, Mussolini or Japan

  • Appeasement. This is a policy where an aggressive nation is given what they want by other nations in order to avoid war.

    • At the Munich Conference in Germany, Great Britain appeased Hitler by giving him control over Czechoslovakia. Hitler then demanded more territory.

• WWI began when Hitler invaded Poland. Three days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany

Key Events of WWII

• Invasion of Poland. Poland quickly defeated by Germany because it lacks natural boundaries (it has very flat plains where were easy to conquer)

• Pearl Harbor. Japan launched a surprise attack against the US. This brought the US into the war.

• D-Day Invasion. The beginning of the final Allied push against Germany. It resulted in the defeat of Germany

• Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The final even of WWII. The US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan and the quickly surrendered.

• The Holocaust.

  • Hitler and the Nazis tried to kill all of the Jews in Europe. 6 million Jews and 6 million non-Jews were killed during this event. This is an example of genocide (the attempt to exterminate an entire group of people) and is considered a major human rights violation.

Hitler was unable to conquer Russia at the Battle of Stalingrad because of the harsh climate. The same was try of Napolean Bonaparte's attempt 130 years earlier

Effects of WWII

• Formation of United Nations. The UN is the organization created after WWII in order to solve international probems and prevent future wars

  • 191 Nations belong

  • Declaration of Human Rights. This was a document created by the UN that lists the rights that ALL people should have within their nations (freedom of speech, right to life, right to participate in government, etc.)

• Nuremberg Trials.

  • The court case where the surviving Nazis who helped Hitler carry out the Holocaust were put on trial

  • 19 Nazi leaders were executed or sentenced to imprisonment as a result of “crimes against humanity” (ie, genocide)

  • Demonstrated that individuals in government could be held accountable for the actions

The Cold War (1945-1991)

• The Cold War was a 50 year struggle between the United States (and a democratic nation) and the Societ Union (a communist nation) after WWII. Called the “cold” war because the United States and Soviet Union never directly fought each other

• Key events and characteristics:

  • After WWII, the Soviet Union took over the small nations of Eastern Europe and turned them into communist satellites

  • “Iron Curtain”. A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the imaginary line dividing the democratic countries of Western Europe and the communist countries of Eastern Europe

  • Containment. This was a policy used the by the US in an attempt to stop the spread of communisms. Two examples of containment are:

    • Truman Doctrine – the US gave $400 million to Greece and Turkey to help them defeat communist groups in their countries

    • Marshall Plan – the US gave $13 billion to the countries of Western Europe to help them rebuild after WWII

• Crisis in Germany

  • After WWII, Germany was divided into 2 nations: West Germany (democratic) and East Germany (communist)

  • Berlin Wall – Concrete wall built by the Communists around the city of West Berlin to prevent people in East Germany from escaping to West Germany

• Military alliances. Both the US and Soviet Union formed their own military alliances:

  • NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Military alliance between US, Canada and democratic nations of Western Europe

  • Warsaw Pact. Military alliance between Soviet Union and other Communist nations of Eastern Europe

• Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Hungary tried to break away from Soviet control and the Soviet Union sent in the army to end the rebellion

• Arms Race. The US and Soviet Union competed to build up the largest supply of nuclear weapons

• Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Began when the US discovered that the Soviet Union was building missile bases in Cuba (a communist nation) and pointing nuclear missiles at the US

  • The crisis ended when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles

  • This event is the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war between countries

• Korea and Vietnam were each divided into 2 separate countries. One side of each country became communist and the other side became democratic.

Economic Issues After WWII

• Economic Cooperation

  • After WWII, various regions of the world started to create organizations that were designed to increase trade and promote economic wealth. These include:

    • European Union, North American Free Trade Agreement

Oil Politics

• Oil (also called Petroleum) is among the world’s most important natural resources

  • Most of world’s oil is located in the Middle East. Oil is the main reason why Middle East has developed wealth and influence

• OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

  • Determines the price of oil as well as production levels

Communism in China (1949-Present)

• In 1949, China became the second country to adopt communism

• Mao Zedong: First communist dictator of China. Gained support of peasants because he promised to provide them with their own land once the communists were brought to power

  • Great Leap Forward. Attempt by Mao Zedong to modernize production in China.

    • Peasants forced to move onto large government farms

    • Plan similar to the Five Year Plan & Collectivization in Soviet Union under Stalin’s rule

  • Cultural Revolution. Mao used violet Communist soldiers (Red Guards) to eliminate all opposition

• Den Xiaoping

  • Ruler of China after MaoZedong

  • Changed economy to market/capitalist/free enterprise economy

  • Tianenman Square Protest/Massacre (1989)

    • Series of protests where Chinese peacefully demanded democratic reforms

    • Deng Xiaping called in the army to end protests and hundreds of Chinese were killed or arrested

    • Proved China’s government was unwilling to make democratic changes

• Current issues in China

  • China controls Buddhist region of Tibet, but people of Tibet want independence

  • China denies its people human rights

  • In order to prevent overpopulation, the government of China allows only one child per family

Decolonization of India (1948)

• After WWII, India gained independence from Great Britain due to the efforts of Mohandas Gandhi

• In order to prevent conflict between Hindus and Muslims, the region Great Britain had controlled was divided into two separate countries:

  • India – Hindus

  • Pakistan – Muslims

• After independence, India established a democratic government and followed a policy of nonalignment (neutrality) during the Cold War (it didn’t take sides)

• Caste System. Although India’s constitution prevents discrimination against the lowest social classes (castes), there is continued discrimination against untouchables.

Decolonization in Africa (1945-1980)

• Independence due largely to efforts of nationalist leaders:

  • Jomo Kenyatta (gained independence for Kenya)

  • Kwame Nkruman (gained independence for Ghana)

• South Africa after independence:

  • Still controlled by white Europeans.

  • Racist system known as Apartheid. Apartheid is racial segregation which lasted until 1990 with work of Nelson Mandela

  • Nelson Mandela:

    • Black South African nationalist leader who fought against Apartheid

    • Imprisoned for 27 years by the white South African government

    • Became first black president of South Africa after Apartheid came to an end in 1990

• Rwanda after independence:

  • During 1990s, serious ethnic conflict between two groups in the African nation of Rwanda: the Hutus and the Tutsis

  • 1994, the Hutus slaughtered 800,000 Tutsis in only a few months. This was genocide and a major human rights violation

Decolonization of Southeast Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam)

• 1953-1954 both countries gained independence from France

• Ho Chi Minh. Nationalist leader who led an 8-year war against France to gain independence for Vietnam.

• Vietnam after independence: divided into 2 countries – North (communist) and South (democratic)

  • After Vietnam war, Vietnam reunited to form one communist nation.

• Cambodia after independence

  • Ruled by Khmer Rouge – Communist group

  • Pol Pot. Leader of Khmer Rouge and ruler of Cambodia from 1976-1979. Brutal dictator. Denied people of human rights. Executed 2 million people in his nation. An example of genocide

Middle East After WWII

• Creation of Israel

  • After WWII, part of the Holy Land, which includes Jerusalem, was used to create the Jewish nation of Israel

  • Palestinians (Arab Muslims that live in the Holy Land) claim that they should have control over the region since they have lived there for hundreds of years

  • Between 1948 and 1973, 4 major wars were fought between Israel and the Arab nations of the Middle East. Israel won each war. Smaller battles continue to date as Palestinians frequently use terrorism to achieve their goals.

Islamic Fundamentalism

• The belieft that governments should create societies that are based on rules of Islam. Two countries that have established such societies are Iran and Afghanistan.

• Iranian Revolution (1979) brought Ayatolla Khomeini to power. Iran remains a theocracy (a nation ruled by religious leaders)

• Taliban. Ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001. Created laws based on Sharia (Islamic law)

The Collapse of Communism in Soviet Union

• Mikhail Gorbachev. Soviet leader who helped bring an end to Communism in the Soviet Union (in 1991)

• Perestroika: The program in which Gorbachev changed the economy from communist to market/capitalist

• Glasnost. The program in which Gorbachev allowed freedom of speech within the Soviet Union. A major step toward democracy in the Soviet Union

• Boris Yeltsin. The first democratically elected president in the history of Russia

The Collapse of Communism in Germany

• 1989 – The Berlin Wall was finally torn down. Symbolized the end of the Cold War and Communism

• 1990 – West Germany and East Germany reunited to form one democratic country

Human Rights Violations

Human Rights are the basic rights that all human beings are supposed to have. Basic rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to vote and right to live.

Genocide is an attempt to exterminate (kill off) a group of people. It is the ultimate violation of human rights.

Examples include:

• Armenian Massacre – Turks of the Ottoman Empire murdered about one million Armenians during WWI

• Ukrainian Famine – Stalin (Dictator of Soviet Union) took away food from the people of the Ukraine resulting in the death of millions of people

• Holocaust – Hitler and the Nazis murdered 6 million Jews during WWII

• Rwanda – Hutus killed one million Tutsis in 1994

• Cambodia – Pol Pot was the ruler of Cambodia who killed 2 million people within his nation.

• Yugoslavia – Slobodan Milosevic was the Serbian ruler of Yugoslavia who violently attached non-Serbs (especially Albanians) living in his lands