Study guide: Map and Global Conflict History Course

Map Midterm 2026 Review Part III - Exam-Oriented Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• The map focuses on Africa, Asia, and Europe during 1914 and 1919, highlighting colonial and geopolitical changes.
• The Berlin Conference (1884–85) formal European colonization Africa, disregarding African sovereignty.
• Key causes of WWI: militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism.
• The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed harsh penalties on Germany, sowing seeds for WWII.
• Major WWI battles: Somme, Verdun, Gallipoli; introduced tanks, airplanes, poison gas.
• The Russian Revolution (1917) led to Bolshevik rule and the rise of Stalin.
• Japan's modernization via the Meiji Restoration enabled imperial expansion in Asia.
• The scramble for Africa caused artificial borders, ethnic conflicts, and resource exploitation.
• The League of Nations was weak, lacking US support and enforcement power.
• Fascist regimes emerged in Germany (Nazism), Italy (Mussolini), and the USSR (Stalin).

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Berlin Conference — divided Africa among European powers, ignoring indigenous peoples.
• Spheres of Influence — regions in China under foreign control (Britain, France, Japan).
• Bolsheviks — revolutionary party led by Lenin, overthrew Tsarist regime.
• Meiji Restoration — Japan’s political and economic modernization starting in 1868.
• Major WWI Battles — Somme, Verdun, Gallipoli, characterized by trench warfare and new tech.
• Treaty of Versailles — peace treaty punishing Germany, redrawing European borders.
• League of Nations — international organization aimed at maintaining peace.
• Totalitarian Regimes — Stalin (USSR), Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy).

3. 🔬 Functions, Mechanisms & Relationships

• Imperialism drives competition for colonies, resources, and global influence.
• Berlin Conference established rules for colonization, leading to scramble and exploitation.
• Militarism and alliances (Triple Entente, Central Powers) escalated tensions pre-WWI.
• Assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo triggered WWI, igniting the "powder keg."
• WWI technology (tanks, airplanes, gas) caused unprecedented casualties.
• Treaty of Versailles imposed reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany.
• Russian Revolution caused a shift from monarchy to communist state, influencing global politics.
• Stalin’s policies (Five Year Plans, collectivization) transformed USSR into a totalitarian industrial power.
• Rise of fascism in Germany and Italy was fueled by economic hardship, nationalism, and fear of communism.
• WWII was caused by aggressive expansion, appeasement failures, and unresolved WWI issues.

4. 📊 Comparative Table

5. 🗂️ Hierarchical Diagram (ASCII)

Global Conflicts & Movements
 ├─ Imperialism
 │    ├─ Africa: Scramble, Berlin Conference
 │    └─ Asia: Opium Wars, spheres of influence
 ├─ WWI
 │    ├─ Causes: Militarism, alliances, nationalism
 │    ├─ Major Battles: Somme, Verdun, Gallipoli
 │    └─ Consequences: Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations
 ├─ Russian Revolution
 │    ├─ Bolsheviks overthrow Tsar
 │    └─ Civil war, Stalin’s rise
 └─ WWII
      ├─ Causes: Aggression, appeasement
      ├─ Major Battles: D-Day, Stalingrad
      └─ Leaders: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Hitler

6. ⚠️ High-Yield Pitfalls & Confusions

• Confusing the Scramble for Africa with earlier trade routes.
• Mistaking Spheres of Influence for formal colonies in China.
• Overlooking the significance of the Treaty of Versailles in causing WWII.
• Confusing Stalin’s policies (Five Year Plans) with Lenin’s NEP.
• Misidentifying the causes of WWI—focusing only on the assassination.
• Assuming the League of Nations had enforcement power— it lacked US support.
• Mixing up fascism (Italy) with Nazism (Germany) despite similarities.
• Overestimating the immediate impact of the Russian Civil War on WWII.

7. ✅ Final Exam Checklist

• Know the main regions: Africa, Asia, Europe (1914, 1919).
• Understand the purpose and outcomes of the Berlin Conference.
• Identify key causes of WWI and major battles.
• Describe new warfare technologies introduced in WWI.
• Explain the terms and consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.
• Recognize the weaknesses of the League of Nations.
• Summarize the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution.
• Describe Stalin’s policies and their impact on USSR.
• Understand the rise of fascism and Nazism.
• List major WWII battles and leaders.
• Connect technological advances to WWII strategies.
• Recognize the global impact of WWII and its aftermath.

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