...(1) In 1945, just after World War II, the alliance between the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union ended. An intense rivalry between communist and non-communist nations led to the Cold War. It's called the Cold War because it never led to armed or "hot" conflict. At the end of World War II, at the Yalta Conference, Germany was divided into four occupied zones controlled by Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Berlin was also divided into four sections. Lack of a mutual agreement on German re-unification was a important background of the Cold War. And on March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, gave his "iron curtain" speech while at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, which marked the start of the Cold War. The cold war did not end until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During this period, the United States and the USSR confronted each other in politics, economy, ideology, and so on. And they nearly divided this world into two camps, socialist camp and capitalist camp, what made the conflict on ideology especially sharp. Every incident in the world could not happened without reasons, and the original cause may happened quite long ago. So there are long term causes and short causes of the Cold War. One of the short term causes is that the US President had a personal dislike of the Soviet leader Josef Stalin. At the Potsdam Conference starting in late July 1945, serious differences emerged over the future development of Germany and...
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...I disagree with the question that it was the American foreign policy that was the cause of the cold war, but instead agree with the fact that it was the difference in ideological views that was the most important factor. The American foreign policies, national interests and the personalities of the leaders all had input to the War and therefore, the War reached such extent. The Cold War was a power vacuum which was to drag the bipolar powers into, which happened to be the USA and the Soviet Union. The American foreign policy did have an impact on the Cold War however, was not the cause. This revisionist view presents America to be the cause of the Cold War. America’s main foreign policy was to secure free markets in which they saw the Soviet Union as an obstacle to achieve this. This led to tension between the two superpowers and a more aggressive War between the bipolar powers. The US also used the atomic bomb as a deliberate foreign policy to pressure the Soviet Union. Source K also holds this view that 'after the atomic bomb was created and used... it left the Soviets with but one real option: either they acquiesce in American proposals or be confronted with American power and hostility.' This led to more aggressive Soviet behaviour because by the USA not informing Stalin of such major equipment, he felt as though he could no longer trust the West. However, the Baruch plan in June 1946 proposed joint US and USSR control over the production of atomic weapons in which the...
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...Name: Professor: Course: Date: U.S in the 20th Century 1. World War I and American Life. Explain the impact of World War I in America. Consider various social, economic and political changes in the country during and right after the war. Do you think these changes were caused by the war? War brings changes to every country. The American significantly transformed life after World War I. the country faced social, economic and political changes, which were felt both the negatively and the positively. First and foremost, it goes without saying that the population was increased since there were immigrants who were coming into the country with new ideas and new experiences. Therefore, the society was very vibrant. On the negative, there was a significant effect of othering that caused a rift between the immigrants and the local population; therefore, there were many differences. The economy of...
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...Cause of WWI - European Alliances The main cause of WWI was the European alliances. To what extent do you agree with this statement Before 1914 the five Great Powers, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia controlled Europe. In 1914 World War One broke out in Europe. Historians have debated the causes ever since. As a historian it will be difficult to conclusively establish a single cause - a number of significant causes is a far more helpful outcome. Although the European Alliances were certainly a cause of WWI, there were many other causes as well. Along with the European Alliances there was Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and of course the physical conflicts leading up to the war. All these issues blew up the balloon of tension, which just needed a tiny pinprick to burst into war. The European Alliances had a major part in beginning WWI. After the build up of tension from Nationalism, Imperialism and Militarism, the Powers were worried about being attacked by each other. To counter this alliances were formed. Germany made a secret alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879. Three years later Italy joined this Dual Alliance to form the Triple Alliance because it was annoyed with France for stopping its plans to colonise North Africa. The rest of the Great Powers became increasingly worried about the strength of the Triple Alliance. Believing they could be defeated by Germany, Austria and Italy acting together. France and Russia agreed to help each...
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...When the unexpected happened, a world war, nobody believed that after it was over, a path would be paved for a second world war and more horrors to come. In Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, people can delve inside the mind of a solider from the front lines of World War One and witness the effects this war had on European society. Due to this war, normalization of war and violence occurred, mindsets shifted, and a difference in the perspective of war and life materialized between the soldiers on the front line and the people who did not have similar experiences, and economic struggles ensued. These in turn allowed a man, who the world learned later was cruel and dictative, to rise to power in Germany and World War Two was able to ensue....
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...to dissect creation and find some sort of semblance of meaning that might justify our existence. The list of our accomplishments is immeasurably vast. However, man might have proved that he can reach for ideals, but he has not proved that he can maintain them. We may have climbed mountains, but we have not been able to live for long in such high places. Despite our accomplishments, humanity’s failings have been just as extensive. Our history is also scarred with a long list of wars, injustices, unnecessary deaths, prejudices, hatreds, and disappointments. The pinnacle of our shortcomings, the end-point to our intellectual development as a species, can best be understood in the context of our World Wars. Although humanity has always lived side-by-side with war, never before in our history has so much widespread violence destroyed so many idyllic hopes and dreams. Never before was there such an example of our ignorance as a species, and blatant disregard for our intellectual successes. Both World Wars demonstrate...
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...turning points during War World II and through the 1970’s while analyzing the impact the war had on America’s current society, economy, politics and culture. I will also discuss why America in the late 1930’s wanted to stay out of the European conflict that became WWII, which is one of the greatest debates of all time. We examine the important role that women played in winning the war and what outcomes came from their hard work that impacted women today. Many civil rights movements developed during this time also, and we discuss many breakthroughs that moved African Americans forward because of the war. I will describe ways in which the Vietnam War brought political awareness to a new generation of young Americans and to conclude I talk about President’s Johnson’s “Great Society” agenda that are still in place today that we benefit from if it had not been for the war. All these things are what make WWII known for the Greatest War of all time even after World War I. The war prompted a tremendous mobilization of American resources, at a level unseen since the Civil War. Long-quiet industries were revitalized, the agricultural sector started to grow again, and the American economy ramped up from that of the low production of the Great Depression years to the most powerful economy in the world. The economy showed the most remarkable improvement. World War II initiated the most significant federal management of the economy in American History. When the war began, President Roosevelt...
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...Dillon Milliron 4-3-14 Period 6th WWI Essay World War I is known as the war to end all wars. This statement was obviously not accurate. There are many topics that caused WWI but the main causes are militarism, nationalism, the building of alliances and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The two alliances that fought against one another in this war were the Triple Entente which consisted of France, United Kingdom, Russia (whose place in the war would later be taken by the United States of America) and the Central Powers which consisted of Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. WWI took place mainly in various parts of Europe. The Great War lasted for 4 years, from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918. Militarism, nationalism, and the forming of alliances are what escalated and kicked off World War I. Militarism is the belief that a country should build and maintain the strongest army. Every country in the world has the desire to possess the strongest and largest army, stronger and larger than all other countries. During the build up to WWI there was a mad scramble to build the strongest army amongst all of the countries that participated in the war. France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and the United States all wanted to prove that their army was superior to all others. There is no better way to prove that your military is the best then to put it into war against another military. Building a strong military was not cheap at all, “Counting...
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...people killed between 1934 and 1945, one might ask what could be responsible for that amount of devastation. The answer, however, is quite simple. One man is the leading cause of all those lives lost: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Regime. Germany was in an exceedingly unpleasant state after the loss of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles had forced them to take full blame for the war, and with it came an overwhelming amount of debt. The French wanted to dismember Germany to make it impossible for them to renew war with France. The loss of World War I was still sharp on many minds, and the economic depression was in full effect. The Weimar Republic was Germany’s new form of government that replaced the German Empire....
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...“Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be in the seasons, or in individuals, or in governments.” This is a trope of history, where many know the dangers of excess but cannot resist the temptation. In particular, it is the dangerous attraction to wealth and excess in the 1920s that will lead to the most devastating economic crash in world history. And even in more modern times, including the 1980s, the excessive habits of the modern world will be a bitter reminder of how toxic superfluous wealth can be. Plato may have lived more than two thousand and five hundred years ago, yet his insight on the perils of decadence will continue...
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...War and Peace In 1914, all the world’s major powers went into war. The war started in Europe, we know as being the First World War or “The Great War”. Although, great is the worst word to tag to its name. Unless you would consider millions of people dying amongst massive carnage, then you would be spot on. As big as the war was, it was the soldiers that fought in it came out most impacted. Peace treaties ended the war, but they did not of which put an end to the trauma and after effects of the wars survivors. Before the war, the government did an excellent job of conveying that political situations were not worth fighting for, then within a year their thoughts changed and most people were on board with the idea of war. As the war began, “most people seemed genuinely convinced that their nation’s cause was just.” (Spielvogel 881) Which was a good thing for the troops; because they would need all the support they could to make it through the tough conditions they were about to ender on the battle field. Most of the fighting took part in what was called trench warfare. Fighters spent basically four years fighting in trenches protected by barbed wire and backed by heavy artillery. “Soldiers in the trenches also lived with the persistent presence of death.” (Spielvogel 886) As soldiers were being killed in these trenches, the others have to keep on fighting amidst all the dead bodies of their fellow soldiers all around them. “No-man’s land” separates the opposing...
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... Which nation was most responsible for the naval race, Great Britain or Germany? The naval race between Great Britain and Germany was a controversial event before World War I. Then men and women of the past, and of todays modern society, has questioned who was rather more responsible for the naval race, Great Britain, or Germany. While some would say Germany was the most responsible for the naval race due to the fact Germany sent a telegram to the Boer’s congratulating them, and Germany’s actions of doubling the size of its navy, the reality is that Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race because of her threat to Germany, as well as starting the Boer War. The primary reason why Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race was because Great Britain threatened Germany to block off German trade. After the Boer War, Germany sympathized with them, primarily because of the Dutch descent, and sent a telegram to the Boers. Great Britain became furious. In respondance, Great Britain sent a message threatening to block Germany’s trade, using its massive Navy (larger than France and Germany's Navy’s combined). Due to Great Britain's threat, it caused Germany to create a larger navy, double its size, using a method called the German Fleet Acts. Another reason why Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race, was because of their cause of the Boer War. Great Britain wanted resources to make goods. It was so important...
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...and Canada in the Great War-----------------------------------------5 World war and its outcome ------------------------------------------------------------------7 Impact of the war on the US –Canadian relations-----------------------------------------8 Modern day relations between US and Canada--------------------------------------------10 American –Canadian economic relations --------------------------------------------------11 Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 First World War and Canada-US Relations Introduction The First World War or the Great War was a remarkable event in the history of the humanity. It influenced and shaped our modern world to an extent like none else, and the reflections of today’s development traces its route back to the decisions taken during and post-World War I. No one had any idea about the huge armies that would be involved, the amount of ammunition that will be expended, and how many people would die. However, the role of Canada in the war is noteworthy, considering the fact that the nation decided to stand by the Britain’s side during the war with the only aim of opposing aggression. It neither fought for anything for itself, nor did it receive any rewards of the war. In this paper, we will discuss about the role of Canada and US in the Great War, the history of the border regions along the Canada-US boundary during the war and how it impacted...
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...Seven Years’ War Paper Your Name Goes Here Axia College of the University of Phoenix Shauna Donovan HIS 115 Many factors led up to the Seven Years’ War and in this paper I will describe the social and political backgrounds existent in eighteenth-century America, explain how the diverse backgrounds and views led to the Seven Years’ War and explain how the outcome of the Seven Years’ War affected me and America. All of this will be explained as you read along in this paper. In the seventeenth-century before I was born, “the colonies were becoming overrun by various, very different immigrant groups” (Davidson, J., 2006). Famine, warfare, and religious persecution forced many non-English groups to flee their homes in Europe to the American colonies. This immigration quickly increased the population and made the colonies greatly diverse in backgrounds. This diversity in backgrounds caused the colonies to be divided along the cultural lines. The colonists divided themselves according to ethnic, regional, racial, and religious differences (Davidson, J., 2006). “Since many of these immigrants had no way to pay for their trip to America, they arrived in the colonies already signed into indentured servitude” (Davidson, J., 2006). The population increase had a significant impact on the lifestyle of colonists in the eighteenth-century. “At this time the birth rate also increased with women typically giving birth to between five and eight children” (Davidson, J., 2006)...
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...History 110 / Midterm Study Guide During this part of the course we address several different themes that shaped modern America. The first is the importance of the Civil War and Reconstruction in setting the stage for the great industrial growth and development in the late 19th century. The second theme is the impact of industrialization in late 19th century America--economically, politically, socially, and culturally. A third theme centered on the emergence of an aggressive America foreign policy that in general sought to export American values and ideas so as to bring order to the international scene. The fourth major theme is the rise of progressivism in the first two decades of this century. Like the unions and Populists before them, the Progressives responded to the tremendous impact of industrialization and corporate capitalism on American society, however with much more success. A fifth theme centers on the American entrance into World War I and the war's impact on American society and politics. A sixth theme is the conflict over values and power in American society. Different groups (African-Americans, KKK, nativist/anti-immigrant, socialists, women, etc) with their own unique visions of what American society should be came into conflict over whose vision should predominate. A final theme is emergence of a powerful, welfare state in the form of the New Deal which finally addressed in a large-scale and systematic effort the negative consequences inherent in capitalism...
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