Open Response Flashcards
- Explain why the Central Powers lost World War One, especially when it appeared they were winning the war right up until the summer of 1918? What caused their sudden collapse and did the losers deserve the peace settlement that was imposed on them? Use specific examples to support your answer.
The Central Powers—mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria—appeared to be on the verge of victory during much of World War I, particularly in the early stages of 1918. However, by the fall of 1918, they had suffered a sudden and total collapse. The reasons for this collapse are complex, involving military, economic, political, and social factors. The peace settlement that followed, particularly the Treaty of Versailles (1919), was seen by many as harsh, but the question of whether the Central Powers “deserved” this settlement is more contentious and depends on perspective.
- Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917 and how were they connected? What allowed a small revolutionary party, the Bolsheviks, to seize power in the largest country in the world? Explain using specific examples to support your answer.
The Russian Revolutions of 1917 were a turning point in world history, resulting in the downfall of the Romanov monarchy and the rise of Bolshevik communism, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. There were two major revolutions in Russia that year—the February Revolution and the October Revolution—and they were closely connected in terms of their causes, goals, and ultimate outcomes. The success of the Bolshevik Revolution (the October Revolution) was made possible by the failures of the Provisional Government, the ongoing discontent among the masses, and the ability of the Bolshevik party to exploit these weaknesses.
- Explain the long and short term causes of the Global Depression. What was its political and economic impact in the United States and Europe? Use specific examples to support your answer.
The Global Depression of the late 1920s and 1930s, also known as the Great Depression, was one of the most severe economic crises in modern history. Its effects were felt worldwide, causing mass unemployment, poverty, and political instability. The Depression was a consequence of a combination of long-term and short-term causes, and its impact on both the United States and Europe was profound.
- After significant losses between 1939 and the middle of 1942, how and why were the Allies able to turn their military fortunes around and win World War Two? What explains the overwhelming Allied victory in the war by 1945? Use specific examples to support your answer.
Between 1939 and mid-1942, the Axis powers—primarily Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy—made significant territorial gains and victories across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. The situation for the Allies seemed dire as they faced massive military defeats and overwhelming Axis advances. However, by 1945, the Allies had turned the tide of the war and achieved a resounding victory. Several key factors, including strategic military decisions, industrial mobilization, and shifting political dynamics, contributed to this transformation. The overwhelming Allied victory can be attributed to superior resources, coordinated military efforts, and a combination of key turning points in the war.
- Explain the two “thaws” in the Cold War, known as the eras of “Peaceful Coexistence” and “Détente,” and what characterized them. Why did these “thaws” fail to bring about the end of the Cold War, but instead led to a resumption of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States? Use specific examples to support your answer.
The Cold War (1947-1991) was marked by ideological and geopolitical rivalry between the United States (and its allies) and the Soviet Union (and its satellite states). While the Cold War featured periods of intense hostility, there were also moments of eased tensions or “thaws,” where both superpowers attempted to manage their differences through diplomacy and cooperation. These periods were characterized by Peaceful Coexistence in the 1950s and Détente in the 1970s. However, both “thaws” ultimately failed to bring about the end of the Cold War, and tensions resumed after both periods. Below is an explanation of both periods, their characteristics, the factors that led to their failure, and the subsequent return of Cold War tensions.
