Unit 5

Question 1

Germany - What caused the division after WWII?

Answer 1

WWII ended with “unconditional surrender”; Allied and Soviet armies met in the middle.

Question 2

Germany - Distinguishing feature?

Answer 2

Former Axis power (not a colony) divided into occupation zones.

Question 3

Germany - Specific result?

Answer 3

USSR installed communism, launched Berlin Blockade; later, Berlin Wall built.

Question 4

Palestine & Israel - What caused the conflict?

Answer 4

Holocaust led Western nations to support a Jewish homeland; Britain was exhausted by WWII.

Question 5

Palestine & Israel - Distinguishing feature?

Answer 5

Britain referred the issue to the UN; issued Balfour Declaration.

Question 6

Palestine & Israel - Specific result?

Answer 6

1948 war and al-Nakba; 750,000 Palestinians expelled.

Question 7

India & Pakistan - What caused partition?

Answer 7

WWII weakened Britain, independence movements grew; Britain forced to leave quickly.

Question 8

India & Pakistan - Distinguishing feature?

Answer 8

Britain used “divide and rule” based on religion; Radcliffe had 5 weeks to draw borders.

Question 9

India & Pakistan - Specific result?

Answer 9

Mass migrations; Hindu-Muslim violence killed 1–2 million people.

Question 10

Korea - What caused division?

Answer 10

US & USSR temporarily divided former Japanese colony after WWII.

Question 11

Korea - Distinguishing feature?

Answer 11

US backed Syngman Rhee (South), USSR backed Kim Il Sung (North).

Question 12

Korea - Specific result?

Answer 12

Both sides refused to recognize the other; led to Korean War (1950–1953).

Question 13

Vietnam - What caused conflict?

Answer 13

Japan took control from France; Vietnam wanted independence after WWII.

Question 14

Vietnam - Distinguishing feature?

Answer 14

US supported France and stopped nationwide elections in South.

Question 15

Vietnam - Specific result?

Answer 15

Long-term conflict escalated into Vietnam War; US troops arrived 1965.

Question 16

Formation of the Cold War - How did the Cold War first start in Europe?

Answer 16

Mutual suspicion: US used Marshall Plan and Containment; USSR set up puppet leaders in Eastern Europe.

Question 17

Formation of the Cold War - How did US & USSR tactics differ?

Answer 17

US used economic aid; USSR used military force and political control.

Question 18

Postwar Chaos - What caused postwar chaos in Europe?

Answer 18

Lawlessness and a huge refugee crisis (11 million displaced persons, including camp survivors and forced laborers).

Question 19

Postwar Chaos - Why did Baltic states resist Soviets?

Answer 19

Nationalism, religion, hatred of communism, desire for independence.

Question 20

Postwar Chaos - Why did Communist parties gain popularity?

Answer 20

Soviets seen as heroes defeating Nazis; believed they’d help the poor.

Question 21

Causes of Decolonization - What caused decolonization after WWII?

Answer 21

Axis powers lost colonies, international support for self-determination, European exhaustion.

Question 22

African Decolonization - What patterns were common in African independence movements?

Answer 22

Many nonviolent, but sometimes led to civil wars; some faced strong resistance (Kenya, Algeria).

Question 23

African Decolonization - Who led independence agitation?

Answer 23

Former servicemen, urban unemployed, and educated Africans.

Question 24

African Decolonization - What caused violent or incomplete decolonizations?

Answer 24

Areas with European settler populations resisted giving up power.

Question 25

African Decolonization - How did women contribute?

Answer 25

Kenya: protested land seizures/arrests; Nigeria: used "sitting on a man" tactics.

Question 26

Congo - Who were Lumumba and Mobutu?

Answer 26

Lumumba: first leader, open to USSR, later assassinated. Mobutu: US-backed dictator, became very wealthy.

Question 27

Congo - US role in Lumumba's fate?

Answer 27

Ordered his assassination (1961) because he worked with USSR and threatened Belgian interests.

Question 28

Congo - How is Mobutu's leadership described?

Answer 28

US-backed, weak government, multiple massacres; personally worth $4 billion.

Question 29

Soviet System - What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Soviet system?

Answer 29

Strength: rapid industrial growth. Weakness: total loss of personal freedom and repression.

Question 30

Soviet System - Appeals & costs?

Answer 30

Appeals: rapid industrialization, guaranteed jobs, healthcare, literacy. Costs: environmental damage, political repression.

Question 31

US vs USSR - How did the US and USSR differ politically and militarily?

Answer 31

US: democracy, economic liberty, NATO. USSR: dictatorship, collectivism, Warsaw Pact.

Question 32

The Third Way - What did the "Third Way" represent?

Answer 32

Nonalignment—avoiding taking sides in the US-Soviet Cold War.

Question 33

The Third Way - Why was it hard for Third Way nations to stay autonomous?

Answer 33

Superpower pressure and neocolonialism; economic debt from foreign aid & corporations.

Question 34

Pro-Tip: Most violent communist takeover?

Answer 34

Hungary; Rakosi used secret police to execute opponents.