Unit 2: History of Europe

Final Assessment Study Guide

Elaborated Unit Focus: The focus of this unit is the historical developments in Europe up to the twenty-first century.

SS6H6 The student will analyze the impact of European exploration and colonization on various world regions.

a. Identify the causes of European exploration and colonization; include religion, natural resources, a market for goods, and the contributions of Prince Henry the Navigator.

  • Causes of exploration and colonization: need for raw materials (natural resources), new markets to sell goods, spices, possibility of great wealth, spread of the Christian religion.
  • Prince Henry the Navigator, from Portugal, set up a School of Navigation to train explorers and plan expeditions. He sponsored expeditions to explore the southern part of Africa.
  • Outcome/effects of exploration and colonization: spread of disease, great wealth, acquired new lands, expanded market for goods, African slavery, conversion of natives to the Christian religion.
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 11 SECTION 2, CHAPTER 12 SECTION 1, WORLD EXPLORER SCAVENGER HUNT.

b. Trace the empires of Portugal, Spain, England, and France in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

  • Portugal: exploration and colonization in Africa, and South America
  • Spain: exploration and colonization in Africa, North, and South America
  • France: exploration and colonization in North America, Africa, and Asia
  • England: exploration and colonization in North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 11 SECTION 2, CHAPTER 12 SECTION 1 (REVIEW THE MAP ON PG. 330), WORLD EXPLORER SCAVENGER HUNT (REVIEW WHERE EACH OF THE EXPLORERS WENT AND WHAT THEY DID).

c. Trace the colonization of Australia by the United Kingdom.

  • IN THE 1700’S THE UNITED KINGDOM SENT CONVICTS TO AUSTRALIA. BY 1859, SIX BRITISH COLONIES MADE UP AUSTRALIA.

d. Explain the impact of European empire building in Africa and Asia on the outbreak of WWI.

  • Prior to WWI European countries were building empires in Africa and Asia. Imperialism led to competition between the countries of Europe. Alliances were formed between countries so that they could help each other protect their colonies. A strong military was necessary to protect your country and empire. Nationalism drove countries to compete for the largest empires.
  • WWI Alliances: Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire (Turkey), Bulgaria; Allied Powers- Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Italy, United States.
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 12 SECTION 1, EUROPEAN EMPIRES, WWI NOTES.

SS6H7 The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st century.

a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, theTreaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism.

  • The Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended WWI placed the responsibility of WWI on Germany. The economy, military, and territory of Germany were all affected.
  • The Russian Revolution, which began in 1917, caused Russia to end participation in WWI. The czar of Russia was overthrown and Russia was transferred into a communist country.
  • During the communist rule of Russia the citizens did not have the ability to own private property, they did not have freedom of speech or religion, they were not able to openly express their ethnic identity, and they could not own their own business.
  • Following WWI, an worldwide economic depression will begin in 1929. The economic depression will be caused by excessive war debts, inflation, and increased taxes.
  • Following WWI, Adolf Hitler will come to power in Germany. His Nazi party will responsible for changing Germany and defying the Treaty of Versailles.
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 12 SECTION 2, CHAPTER 11 SECTION 4, WWI NOTES, THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE, POST WWI EUROPE INFORMATION.

b. Explain the impact of WWII in terms of the Holocaust, the origins of the Cold War, and the rise of Superpowers.

  • Causes of WWII: worldwide depression, empire building, totalitarian dictators. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939 war was declared by Great Britain and France marking the beginning of WWII.
  • Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, United States. Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan.
  • The Holocaust occurred during the time of WWII. Adolf Hitler blamed the Jewish people for the financial problems in Germany. The Holocaust was an extreme example of Anti-Semitism (political, social, and economic agitation against Jewish people). Over 6,000,000 people were killed in the Holocaust. Many were taken to concentration/death camps like Auschwitz.
  • Following WWII the United States made plans to help rebuild the industry, economies, and agriculture of Europe. This was the Marshall Plan.
  • The Cold War, a time of great tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, followed WWII. The two “Superpowers” disagreed about the spread of communism from beyond the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
  • Europe was divided following WWII by the “Iron Curtain”. This invisible wall divided the Eastern (communist) part of Europe from the Western (democratic) part of Europe.
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 12 SECTION 2, CHAPTER 12 SECTION 3, WORLD WAR II NOTES AND ASSIGNMENTS, FROM COLD WAR TO REUNIFICATION.

c. Explain how the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the end of the Cold War and German reunification.

  • The building of the Berlin Wall began in 1961. This wall separated East (communist) Berlin from West (democratic) Berlin. When the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989 it led to the reunification of Germany in 1990.
  • The Soviet Union would collapse after the break-up of the Warsaw Pact. When the Warsaw Pact broke apart countries formerly under the control of the Soviet Union will be able to form democratic governments, they will be able to create free market economies, and the Cold War will end.
  • The end of the Soviet Union will also bring the end of communism in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
  • CLASS RESOURCES TO STUDY: CHAPTER 14 SECTION 4, CHAPTER 13 SECTION 1, CHAPTER 13 SECTION 2, FROM COLD WAR TO REUNIFICATION.

Unit 2

Enduring Understandings and Unit Essential Questions

Exploration occurs because of the desire for wealth.

  • What motivates people to take great risk to explore unknown territory? (H6a)
  • What was the impact of exploration and colonization on Europe? (H6a, b, c, d)
  • How did colonial empires contribute to the development of Europe? (H6d)

Nationalism plays an important role in the development of nations.

  • How have European nations struggled to maintain their national identities throughout the 20th century? (H7a, b, c)

Wars have a profound impact on regions.

  • How did global economic conditions affect Europe after WWI? (H7a, b, c)
  • How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the outbreak of WWII? (7a, b)
  • Why did the end of WWII lead to the Cold War? (H7b, c)