This period sees the world shift its power balance. From an age of imperialism, through the scope of two world wars and growing movements for independence, a new world order emerges.
Important things to remember:
During this time, the West's position in the world changed dramatically. From an age of colonial imperialism fueled by the Industrial Revolution, transformed through two wars and independence movements, it lost a lot of its power overseas.
Meanwhile, the developing world took leaps in catching up. Through participation in the world wars and movements for independence, the developing nations found a more solid base for their economy, moved towards stability and democracy, and began a nation-building of their own. Important leaders at this time were Zapata, Villa, Juan Peron, Vargas, Gandhi, and the like.....
The character of warfare shifted dramatically. Until now wars had been very costly, and had only covered small areas - colonies, or homelands, but not both. The main participants were the soldiers. Now war shifted to a nation-wide effort, fighting at home and away, and civilians were targeted because of aerial warfare.
Some important technologies made their rise. The railways continued to be more and more useful not just in the imperial colonies but for mobilizing armies too. Radar, the radio, automobiles, and other standard appliances came into use because of influence by the conflicts of the time.
Review Questions - grasping the bigger picture
What role did religion have in the world events during this time? How does this compare to the previous period (Chapters 23-26)? How does this compare to the middle and late middle ages (12-14, 15-18)?
Consider social structure. Did it change in the developed nations due to conflict? How about in the nations under colonial rule?
Compare colonial imperialism in different regions of the world: sub-saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. How are the methods of rule and the affects of it different according to the geography of the region?
Compare the different political ideologies that arose after the Treaty of Versailles, such as Fascism, Communism, Appeasement, Capitalism, and Democracy. How did these come about due to the separate situations in the countries? How are they similar? How are they different? Do you think they reflect some ideologies of the past in any way? How did they shape the Second World War, and what are their consequences today?
During this time, the West's position in the world changed dramatically. From an age of colonial imperialism fueled by the Industrial Revolution, transformed through two wars and independence movements, it lost a lot of its power overseas.
Meanwhile, the developing world took leaps in catching up. Through participation in the world wars and movements for independence, the developing nations found a more solid base for their economy, moved towards stability and democracy, and began a nation-building of their own. Important leaders at this time were Zapata, Villa, Juan Peron, Vargas, Gandhi, and the like.....
The character of warfare shifted dramatically. Until now wars had been very costly, and had only covered small areas - colonies, or homelands, but not both. The main participants were the soldiers. Now war shifted to a nation-wide effort, fighting at home and away, and civilians were targeted because of aerial warfare.
Some important technologies made their rise. The railways continued to be more and more useful not just in the imperial colonies but for mobilizing armies too. Radar, the radio, automobiles, and other standard appliances came into use because of influence by the conflicts of the time.
Review Questions - grasping the bigger picture
What role did religion have in the world events during this time? How does this compare to the previous period (Chapters 23-26)? How does this compare to the middle and late middle ages (12-14, 15-18)?
Consider social structure. Did it change in the developed nations due to conflict? How about in the nations under colonial rule?
Compare colonial imperialism in different regions of the world: sub-saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. How are the methods of rule and the affects of it different according to the geography of the region?
Compare the different political ideologies that arose after the Treaty of Versailles, such as Fascism, Communism, Appeasement, Capitalism, and Democracy. How did these come about due to the separate situations in the countries? How are they similar? How are they different? Do you think they reflect some ideologies of the past in any way? How did they shape the Second World War, and what are their consequences today?