Unit Four: Society & Politics in the Age of World Wars (1914-1945)

Study Notes

World War II

The Nazis, encouraged by Hitler, launched devastating air attacks on Britain despite the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of 1939.
The Nazis invaded Russia in June 1941, occupying much territory but failing to crush the Soviets' resistance.
Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, leading to the USA declaring war on Japan.
Japan secured support from Italy and Germany, resulting in them declaring war on the USA.
The USA began sending continuous supplies to Britain, the Soviet Union, and other allies to stop Germany's expansion in the west.
The Allies cooperated in military operations in the Far East.

Battles and Turning Points

The Soviet Union scored decisive victories at the Battles of Stalingrad (1942-1943) and Kursk (1943), marking the beginning of the Allied counter-offensive in Europe.
In May 1943, Britain, France, and the USA drove German and Italian forces out of North Africa.
The balance of power shifted in favor of the Allies between 1943 and 1945, with successful air and sea attacks on Axis Powers in Asia and Europe.
The Allies launched a Second Front in Europe in 1944.

World War I

Causes of WWI

Mutual Defense Alliances were formed among European powers as early as the 1870s, designed to keep peace in Europe but ultimately contributing to the outbreak of war.
The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) was formed in 1882, while the Entente Cordiale (Britain and France) was signed in 1904.
Imperialism led to competition for colonies in Africa and Asia, deepening rivalries and mistrust among European countries.

Events of WWI

Germany invaded France through Belgium in August 1914, leading to the Battle of the Marne, which halted their advance.
Both sides dug defensive trenches, resulting in a deadly stalemate on the Western Front that lasted for four years.
The war in the east was more mobile, with the Russians mobilizing rapidly and the Germans fighting a two-front war.
Germany launched an unrestricted submarine campaign in January 1917, prompting the USA to declare war on Germany on April 6, 1917.

Consequences of WWI

New technologies such as machine guns, airplanes, poisonous gases, and U-boats resulted in massive casualties: around 8.5 million soldiers and 13 million civilians died during the war.
Imperial dynasties collapsed, including the Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Ottoman Empire, and Romanovs of Russia.
The war led to a significant change in the map of Europe, with territories divided among the victorious Allied powers.
The war contributed to the spread of the Spanish flu pandemic and helped bring about the Russian Revolution of 1917, which toppled the Russian Empire and led to a socialist government.

Description

This quiz covers the First World War (1914-1918), also known as the Great War, which involved most European nations, Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions. It discusses the root causes of WWI, such as mutual defense alliances. Watch the video linked for more information.