Download Study Guide: European Exploration and WWI European Exploration

Study Guide: European Exploration and WWI
European Exploration
Why did Europeans explore? To find faster/cheaper trade routes to Asia so they could access their natural resources
(silk & spices), to expand their territory by claiming new land, to stop the spread of Muslim influence and instead
spread Christianity, to gain wealth by buying foreign goods at cheaper prices and finding riches in foreign lands, some
explorers just wanted the fame and glory that came along with discovering new lands.
World War I
What started World War I? (Causes)
M
Militarism –Buildup of the military and arms in preparation for war.
A
Alliances – Agreement between nations to ally with them in event of war
I
Imperialism – Empire building in Africa and Asia led to rivalries and competition between European
Nations over colonies and territories.
N
Nationalism – Intense pride and love for your nation. Believing your country is and should be the best.
What event led to several European countries joining World War I? The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Russian Revolution
Why was there a revolution in Russia? (Causes) Differences in social and economic classes in Russia. Many Russians’
basic needs were not being met and they were cold and hungry.
What were the 3 issues that led to the Russian Revolution? Food shortages, freezing from coal shortages, and
exhausted from the war
Which leader was killed during the Russian Revolution? Tsar Nicholas II
What happened after the Russian Revolution? Workers united, Tsar Nicholas II and his family was killed (this ended
the Romanov reign), a communist group led by Vladimir Lenin seized power and promised more equality, Russia was
then known as the Soviet Union
What effect did the Russia Revolution have on Russia in WWI? It ended Russia’s participation in World War I
Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks, the group that gained control of the Russian Government in November 1917?
Vladimir Lenin
Treaty of Versailles
Woodrow Wilson had a plan for peace following WWI, but other countries did not go along with his plan. What was his
plan called? The Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson came up with the original idea for the League of Nations, however the United States disagreed with
Wilson and decided not to participate in the League. Why? The senate was afraid that the League of Nations would
override American interests.
What was the purpose of the League of Nations? To maintain world peace
Who did the Treaty blame for WWI? Germany
What did Germany have to agree to in the treaty?
1. Blamed Germany for World War I
2. Made Germany pay $33 Billion in War reparation to Allied Powers
3. Required Germany to limit their armed forces
4. Germany had to give up over 1 million square miles of land and the natural resources that the land held (more land than Alaska
and Texas combined)
What were the effects of the Treaty of Versailles? Germany’s financial issues became even greater, Germany lost
many natural resources along with the land that they had to give up, Germany’s money was worth less than it was
before WWI, Germany became isolated and distrusted by other countries
How did the Treaty of Versailles help Hitler come to power? Germans were angry over the harsh terms of the Treaty of
Versailles and Hitler promised to restore Germany to a world power and defy The Treaty of Versailles. He led
Germans to believe that they could and should go against the Treaty and build up their military, take back their land,
and make Germany powerful again.
The Great Depression
What is a depression? A time when business is bad and people lose their jobs. Spending comes to a halt, as people do
not have as much money to spend.
How did the USA stock market crash affect Europe? Europeans lost money they invested in the U.S. Stock Market
What caused the worldwide depression? 1) European countries had borrowed money to pay for the war and they
could no longer repay their debts because they had even less money 2) Their money lost their value and they couldn’t
buy as much as they once could. This resulted in even more people losing their jobs. 3) The US stock market crashed
in 1929, which crippled countries that were already struggling.
What happen throughout the world during the Great Depression? Widespread poverty, unemployment, bank failures
and homelessness
What European country was most severely affected by the Depression? Germany because they were still recovering
from World War I and paying war reparations
How did the Great Depression help Hitler come to power? Adolf Hitler promised to end unemployment and poverty
and bring back Germany to a state of power
The early days of Hitler and Growth of Nazism
What was the name of the name of the German Fascist Party that controlled Germany before and during WWII? Nazi
Party
Who was Adolf Hitler? Leader of the Nazi Party in Germany
Why did the Nazi party grow in Germany? Nazis promised solutions to Germany’s economic problems, Nazis blamed
the Jews for all of their problems which united Germans, Nazis organized groups that threatened anyone who
opposed them or spoke out against them so very few spoke out