study guide possible questions Flashcards
How were Alexander III and Nicholoas II repressive? What effect did this have on the population?
Alexander lll and Nicholas ll were both repressive. They both heavily enforced autocratic rule, utilized strict censorship, and persecuted minority groups like Jews. Pogroms were created under them, and people were killed.
What issues did Russia have as it attempted to industrialize?
Russia faced difficulties in industrializing its economy due to a large rural population, a lack of transportation infrastructure, and a reluctance to embrace foreign capital and technology. Serfdom also held a key role in this, as for factories you need many workers that Russia just didn’t have.
Explain the effect World War I had on Russia.
WW1 had a huge impact on Russia, including military defeats, immense human suffering, economic collapse, and eventually, the collapse of the Tsarist regime and the Russian Revolution.
How did Russia get from Nicholas II to Stalin? What major events happen?
From Nicholas ll to Stalin, Russia saw: the February Revolution, the Tsar’s abdication, the October Revolution, the Russian Civil War, the establishment of the Soviet Union, and Lenin’s rise to power, and his rule.
What are the key traits of totalitarianism? What do its leaders offer their populations?
The key traits of totalitarianism are that the individual was less valuable than the state, only a single powerful ruler without law to limit him could rule effectively, and that people became engaged through a commitment to socialism and Nationalism.
How were the czars and Russia’s communist leaders similar?
The czars and communist leaders ruled similar. Both farms of government depended on a very high degree of central control. However, the tsars used different levels of central control than the communist leaders.
What was the Holodomor and what was its purpose? Was it successful for Stalin?
The Holdomor was a man-made famine in the Soviet Union from 1932-1933. It was created in order to try to suppress the Ukranians. Stalin wanted to impose collectivism and tamp down Ukranian Nationalism, it was not entirely effective.
What problems did the new democracies of Europe face after World War I? How was the Weimar Republic an example of the challenges democracies faced?
Lack of democratic experience/traditions, Economic problems, Type of democratic system led to coalition governments and instability.
Describe Fascism. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
Under fascism, the economy and other parts of society are heavily and closely controlled by the government. Fascism rised in Italy because of the post-war economic hardship, and political instability.
How did Western democracies react to the rise of Fascism? Why?
Western democracies first avoided or ignored Fascism, then tried appeasement. Western democracies Feared communism more, Economic problems of their own, and World War l problems were still strong.
How did the nations that became the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) react to isolationist nations, appeasement policies, and pacifist sentiment (feelings)?
The axis powers viewed isolationist nations, appeasement policies, and pacifist sentiment as weakness to exploit, and obstacles to their expansionist ambitions, which lead to the outbreak of WW2.
How are Fascism and Communism similar? How are they different?
Fascism and Communism are both political ideologies, both used totalitarianism, and he nation and the leader become one. Differences, communism wants complete change while fascism wants to return the nation to previous times of greatness, communism is supposed to abolish class, and fascism supports a theory of racial supremacy.
What is an ideology and what makes it common? What is the most obvious external characteristic of a totalitarian regime?
An ideology is a grand narrative that cannot be proven-it transcends reality, pointing to a “truer” reality that we cannot see. Ideologies become common when fact and fiction become blurred.
Compare the two major types of democratic systems. What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages of a parliamentary system are that citizens feel involved and that parties can start small and grow. Disadvantages are that it supports extreme parties and it can be very unstable. Advantages of a presidential system are that it limits extremism and forces mainstreaming. Disadvantages are that it limits democracy and citizens can feel unrepresented.
