3B1 - Science, Technology, and Politics in the 20th Century Flashcards
Examine significant scientific, technological, and political developments in world history during the 20th century.
What was the Marshall Plan?
Economic reconstruction plan for Europe after WWII.
The Marshall Plan provided more than $13 billion to finance rebuilding efforts in Western Europe.
How did WWII affect the economy of Europe?
Material damage drained economic productive capacity.
WWII left behind material damage, homelessness, and inflation, making it challenging for European countries to rebuild.
What was the core aspect of the Truman Doctrine announced by President Truman?
To provide political, economic, and military assistance to democratic nations under threat from communist forces.
What was the rationale behind the involvement of the U.S. in pro-democracy regime changes in Greece and Turkey?
To ensure they would not align with the Soviet Union.
What was the Space Race?
A competition between the Soviet Union and the United States to develop space technologies during the Cold War.
When did the Space Race begin?
October 4, 1957
It began with the successful launch of the Soviet satellite, Sputnik.
Who created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)?
The U.S. under President Eisenhower.
NASA was established in 1958.
What was the cause of the Space Race?
- The development and use of the American atomic bomb in 1945, leading to concerns and distrust between the Soviet Union and the United States.
- This distrust stemmed from competition over national prestige, fears of sureillance, and ideological conflict between communism and capitalism.
What was the impact of the successful Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite?
It pushed the United States to increase their own technological research and strive to put an American into space.
Who was the German engineer recruited to lead the German rocket development team?
Wernher von Braun
He was recruited in 1932.
What was the American physicist Robert Goddard known for?
Experimenting with rockets in 1915.
He laid the groundwork for advancements in rocketry.
Who was the first man to go into space?
Yuri Gagarin
The Russian cosmonaut made his historic flight on April 12, 1961.
Who was the first American in space?
Alan Shepard
He became the first American in space on May 5, 1961.
What was the name of the spacecraft developed by the Soviets to put a man on the moon?
The Soyuz program.
What event marked the end of the Space Race?
The United States and the Soviet Union completed their first joint space mission in July 1975.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was the first joint space mission between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1975. The mission took place in July 1975, when an Apollo spacecraft launched from the U.S. and docked with a Soyuz spacecraft from the Soviet Union two days later. The crews spent several days together in space, sharing meals, visiting each other’s spacecraft, and working on various tasks. The mission also included a famous “handshake in space” between the crews, televised tours of each other’s spacecraft, and a joint press conference.
Why was the Space Race important?
- Battle of ideologies between capitalism and communism.
- It showcased the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
- It demonstrated the best military and defense systems.
- It was a strategic advantage during the Cold War.
What were some technological breakthroughs from the Space Race era?
- GPS - Global Positioning System
- Cochlear Implants
- Freeze-dried foods
- Memory foam
- Artificial Limbs
What theory, developed by Albert Einstein, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity?
Theory of Relativity
Albert Einstein’s Special (1905) and General (1915) theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity.
The discovery of which process led to the development of nuclear power and atomic weapons?
Nuclear fission was discovered in December 1938 by chemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, and physicists Lise Meitner and Otto Robert Frisch at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry in Berlin, Germany.
This discovery profoundly affected energy production and global politics.
Name the two global conflicts that reshaped borders, economies, and societies in the 20th century.
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
The aftermath of WWII led to significant geopolitical changes and the establishment of the United Nations.
Which movements, particularly in the United States, sought to end racial segregation and discrimination, leading to significant social and legal changes?
The Civil Rights Movement.
Who pioneered mass production techniques that made automobiles widely accessible?
Henry Ford
These techniques made automobiles widely accessible, transforming transportation and society.
What invention in 1947, along with the development of the first computers and the creation of the internet, revolutionized communication and business?
The transistor.
This led to the development of the first computers and eventually to the creation of the internet (ARPANET, 1969).
What process in the mid-20th century led to the independence of numerous countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean?
Decolonization
This process saw the dismantling of colonial empires, leading to the independence of numerous countries in these regions.
What term describes the increased economic interdependence and cultural exchange driven by advances in transportation, communication, and international trade agreements in the latter part of the 20th century?
Globalization
What was the Plate Tectonics Theory (1960s)?
- Developed by Alfred Wegener.
- Provided a comprehensive explanation for the movement of Earth’s plates.
- It explained phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.
What was significant about the discovery of insulin in 1921?
- Developed by Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip, and John Macleod
- The discovery of insulin as a treatment for diabetes transformed a previously fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition.
Insulin therapy has saved millions of lives and continues to be a crucial treatment for people with diabetes, significantly improving their quality of life and life expectancy.
What was the significance and impact of the invention of the television in the 1920s?
- Developed by John Logie Baird, Philo Farnsworth, and Vladimir Zworykin
- Became a dominant form of mass media, influencing culture, politics, and entertainment.
Revolutionized the way people receive information and entertainment, shaping public opinion and creating a shared cultural experience. It also became a powerful tool for advertising and education.
