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ap world history: modern unit 7 study guides

global conflicts (1900-present)

7.0

Unit 7 Overview: Global Conflict

7.1

Shifting Power After 1900

7.2

Causes of World War I

7.3

Conducting World War I

7.4

Economy in the Interwar Period

7.5

Unresolved Tensions After World War I

7.6

Causes of World War II

7.7

Conducting World War II

7.8

Mass Atrocities After 1900

7.9

Causation in Global Conflict

unit 7 review

The 20th century saw unprecedented global conflicts that reshaped the world. From World Wars I and II to the Cold War and decolonization, these events redefined international relations, borders, and ideologies. Technological advancements, particularly in warfare and communication, played crucial roles in shaping these conflicts. The aftermath of these conflicts continues to influence modern geopolitics. The United Nations, nuclear proliferation concerns, and ongoing regional tensions are direct results of 20th-century conflicts. Understanding this era is crucial for grasping current global dynamics and challenges.

Key Events and Timeline

  • World War I (1914-1918) began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ended with the Treaty of Versailles
  • Russian Revolution (1917) led to the establishment of the Soviet Union and the rise of communism
  • Great Depression (1929-1939) caused widespread economic hardship and political instability
    • Stock market crash of 1929 triggered a global economic downturn
    • Unemployment rates soared and international trade declined
  • World War II (1939-1945) started with Germany's invasion of Poland and ended with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    • Holocaust resulted in the systematic murder of approximately 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany
  • Cold War (1947-1991) characterized by ideological and geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union
  • Decolonization (1940s-1970s) saw the independence of former colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean
  • Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) symbolized the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe
  • 9/11 terrorist attacks (2001) led to the global "War on Terror" and military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq

Major Global Conflicts

  • World War I (1914-1918) involved the Allied Powers (France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and later the United States) against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire)
    • Trench warfare and the use of chemical weapons resulted in unprecedented casualties
  • World War II (1939-1945) pitted the Allies (United States, Soviet Union, Britain, and France) against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
    • Largest and deadliest conflict in human history, with an estimated 70-85 million fatalities
  • Korean War (1950-1953) fought between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United Nations, primarily the United States)
  • Vietnam War (1955-1975) involved the United States supporting South Vietnam against the communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong
    • Guerrilla warfare tactics and the use of napalm and Agent Orange had devastating effects on the population and environment
  • Arab-Israeli conflicts, including the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East
  • Gulf War (1990-1991) saw a US-led coalition force Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait
  • War on Terror (2001-present) encompasses military interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other regions in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the threat of global terrorism

Causes and Triggers

  • Nationalism and imperialism fueled tensions among European powers leading up to World War I
  • Rise of fascism in Europe, particularly in Germany under Adolf Hitler and in Italy under Benito Mussolini, contributed to the outbreak of World War II
    • Hitler's expansionist policies and the invasion of Poland triggered the war in Europe
  • Ideological differences between capitalism and communism underpinned the Cold War
    • Truman Doctrine (1947) pledged US support to countries threatened by Soviet expansionism
  • Decolonization movements were driven by nationalist sentiments and the desire for self-determination in colonized regions
  • Israeli declaration of independence (1948) and the subsequent Arab-Israeli wars were rooted in competing claims to the region and religious tensions
  • Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (1990) led to the Gulf War, with concerns over oil supplies and regional stability
  • 9/11 terrorist attacks were carried out by al-Qaeda, leading to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and the broader War on Terror

Key Figures and Leaders

  • Woodrow Wilson, US President during World War I, proposed the Fourteen Points plan for post-war peace and helped establish the League of Nations
  • Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin were key leaders of the Soviet Union, shaping its communist ideology and policies
    • Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution and established the Soviet state
    • Stalin's totalitarian rule (1924-1953) was marked by rapid industrialization, collectivization, and the Great Purge
  • Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, pursued expansionist and genocidal policies that led to World War II and the Holocaust
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, US Presidents during World War II, played crucial roles in the Allied war effort and post-war reconstruction
  • Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were key figures in India's independence movement against British colonial rule
  • Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese Communist Party, founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 and implemented sweeping social and economic reforms
  • Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution (1953-1959) and established a communist government, leading to tensions with the United States
  • Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and later President of South Africa, played a pivotal role in the country's transition to democracy

Technological Advancements

  • Machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons were introduced during World War I, changing the nature of warfare
  • Atomic bombs developed during World War II (Manhattan Project) and used against Japan, ushering in the nuclear age
    • Nuclear weapons played a central role in the Cold War arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union
  • Jet aircraft and guided missiles revolutionized aerial warfare and defense systems
  • Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union led to advancements in satellite technology and space exploration
    • Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite (Sputnik 1) in 1957 and sent the first human (Yuri Gagarin) into space in 1961
    • US Apollo 11 mission landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969
  • Green Revolution (1950s-1960s) introduced high-yield crop varieties and modern agricultural techniques, improving food production in developing countries
  • Advancements in computing and telecommunications, such as the development of the internet and mobile phones, have transformed global communication and information sharing

Geopolitical Shifts

  • Collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I led to the redrawing of borders in the Middle East (Sykes-Picot Agreement)
  • Rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers following World War II, dividing the world into spheres of influence
    • Proxy wars fought in various regions (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan) as part of the larger Cold War conflict
  • Decolonization reshaped the political map, with newly independent nations emerging in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean
    • Bandung Conference (1955) marked the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to navigate a path between the US and Soviet blocs
  • Sino-Soviet split (1960s) divided the communist world and altered the dynamics of the Cold War
  • Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991) ended the Cold War and led to the formation of new independent states in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
  • European integration, through the formation of the European Union, has created a significant economic and political bloc
  • Rise of China and India as major economic and geopolitical powers has shifted the global balance of power in the 21st century

Social and Economic Impacts

  • World Wars I and II resulted in massive loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of populations
  • Great Depression led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and social unrest
    • Rise of extremist political movements (fascism) in some countries as a response to economic hardship
  • Cold War arms race diverted resources from social welfare and development in many nations
  • Decolonization and the end of colonial rule had mixed social and economic outcomes for newly independent nations
    • Some countries experienced political instability, ethnic conflicts, and economic challenges in the post-colonial era
  • Globalization, accelerated by advancements in transportation and communication, has increased economic interconnectedness but also contributed to income inequality and cultural homogenization
  • Women's rights movements, such as the suffrage movement and the feminist movement of the 1960s-1970s, have fought for gender equality and improved the status of women in many societies
  • Civil rights movements, such as the African-American civil rights movement in the United States, have challenged racial discrimination and promoted social justice

Legacy and Modern Implications

  • League of Nations, established after World War I, laid the groundwork for future international organizations like the United Nations
  • United Nations, founded in 1945, serves as a forum for international cooperation and conflict resolution
    • UN peacekeeping missions have been deployed to various conflict zones worldwide
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) set a global standard for the protection of individual rights and freedoms
  • Nuclear non-proliferation treaties and arms control agreements, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START), have sought to limit the spread and development of nuclear weapons
  • International criminal tribunals, such as the Nuremberg trials and the International Criminal Court, have held individuals accountable for war crimes and human rights abuses
  • Ongoing conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Syrian civil war, continue to shape regional and global politics
  • Climate change and environmental degradation, exacerbated by industrialization and population growth, pose significant challenges for the international community in the 21st century
  • Rise of international terrorism, exemplified by the 9/11 attacks and the emergence of groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, has led to increased global security measures and military interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Unit 7 in AP World History?

Unit 7 is called Global Conflict (c. 1900–present). It looks at how global power shifted after 1900 and digs into the causes, conduct, and consequences of World War I and World War II. You’ll study interwar political and economic responses (for example, the New Deal and Five‑Year Plans), unresolved post–World War I tensions, and empire collapse. The unit also covers major mass atrocities of the 20th century — the Holocaust, Armenian killings, Khmer Rouge, Rwandan genocide, and the Holodomor — and explores how historians assess causation in global conflicts (topics 7.1–7.9). Expect an emphasis on technological change, total war mobilization, ideological competition, imperial decline, and the human costs of conflict. It usually represents about 8–10% of the AP World exam.

What topics are covered in AP World Unit 7 (1900–Present / Global Conflict)?

You'll cover a lot in Unit 7 (Global Conflict, c. 1900–present). Topics include shifting global power after 1900. Causes, conduct, and consequences of World War I. Interwar political and economic responses: the Great Depression, New Deal, Five‑Year Plans, and fascist models. Unresolved post‑WWI tensions and the collapse of empires (Ottoman, Qing, Russian). Causes, conduct, and consequences of World War II. Mass atrocities and genocides of the 20th century. Anti‑colonial movements and decolonization pressures. And historiographical approaches to causation and continuity/change across conflicts. These map to topics 7.1–7.9 and give you the tools to connect political, economic, and social threads across the period.

How much of the AP World exam is Unit 7 content?

Think of Unit 7 as representing roughly 8–10% of the AP World exam, per the College Board’s Course and Exam Description. That percentage is a guideline rather than a guarantee, so some years you may see more or fewer questions tied directly to Unit 7. Use the weighting to prioritize study, but be ready for overlap: themes from Unit 7 (like imperial decline, ideological conflict, and mass violence) often appear alongside other units on the exam.

What's the hardest part of Unit 7 and how should I study it?

The toughest stretch is connecting political, economic, and social causes and consequences across multiple conflicts (especially topics 7.2–7.7). Tracing the causes of World War I and II, understanding total war mobilization, and mapping interwar tensions takes practice. Make a one‑page timeline for 7.1–7.7 showing causes, major events, and outcomes. Create cause‑and‑effect charts for each war (militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, economic crises). Practice short DBQ/SAQ outlines and use timed multiple‑choice sets for recall. For practice questions, check out Fiveable’s Unit 7 practice (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-7). For targeted review and more practice, use Fiveable’s unit study guide and question sets (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/world). Active study — self‑quizzing, timed practice, and quick concept maps — works best.

How long should I study AP World Unit 7 to be ready for assessments?

Aim for about 6–10 hours of focused study spread over 1–2 weeks to be solid on Unit 7: read the unit material, make concise notes for topics 7.1–7.9, finish timed multiple‑choice practice, and write 1–2 short SAQs or an LEQ. If you’re prepping for a quick quiz, 2–4 focused hours may be enough. For end‑of‑unit tests or full AP prep, add distributed review — another 8–12 hours across the semester. Adjust based on your background and how comfortable you already are with the World Wars and interwar/global conflict themes.

Where can I find an AP World Unit 7 summary or notes?

If you need a concise rundown of Unit 7 (Global Conflict, 1900–present), Fiveable has a focused unit guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-7). That page follows the College Board CED topics (7.1–7.9) and gives tight summaries of causes and conduct of both world wars, interwar economies, mass atrocities, and key themes like shifting power after 1900. Use the unit guide for quick topic overviews and the linked cheatsheets when you want faster review. If you want extra practice tied to this content, try the practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/world) which has hundreds of questions with explanations. Fiveable’s cram videos and study guides are also handy for a short review before quizzes or the exam.

Are there Unit 7 practice tests, MCQs, or quizzes I can use for AP World?

Yep — there are Unit 7 practice materials available. The Unit 7 page includes a study guide, topic summaries, AP-style multiple-choice questions, and short quizzes (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-world/unit-7). For broader multiple-choice practice across periods, use the practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/world), which contains many MCQs with answer explanations. Note that some resources on those pages require a free account or site sign-in to view or track progress — check each page for access details. A good workflow is to use the Unit 7 study guide to focus topics (causes and conduct of world wars, interwar tensions, mass atrocities), then drill MCQs and short quizzes to test recall and application.

Does Unit 7 appear often on AP World exams and which question types use its content?

You'll see Unit 7 content regularly on the AP World exam. Material from Global Conflict (1900–present) can show up in multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions (SAQs), document-based questions (DBQs), and long essay questions (LEQs). Expect prompts that ask for causation, comparison, continuity and change, or use of primary-source evidence connected to world wars, interwar developments, decolonization, and mass violence. For concrete past-exam examples and to get a feel for how these topics are tested, consult the College Board’s past exam questions (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-world-history/exam/past-exam-questions).