Question 1

What internal and external forces shaped the story of self-government in the two Germanys,and then the reunification of Germany? What problems did they face,both before and after reunification? Did German leaders shape events or just "read and ride them well"? How and why?

Accepted Answer

The story of self-government in the two Germanys, and the eventual reunification of Germany, was shaped by a combination of internal and external forces.

Internally, the division of Germany into East and West after World War II led to the establishment of two very different political and economic systems. In East Germany, the Soviet Union imposed a communist regime, while in West Germany, a democratic government was established with the support of the Western Allies. These internal divisions created significant challenges for self-government in both Germanys.

Externally, the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union played a major role in shaping the story of self-government in Germany. The division of Germany into two separate states was a direct result of this global power struggle, and both East and West Germany were heavily influenced by their respective superpower backers.

The reunification of Germany in 1990 was a complex and challenging process, and it was shaped by a variety of internal and external forces. Internally, the people of East and West Germany had to overcome decades of division and mistrust in order to come together as one nation. Externally, the reunification was influenced by the changing dynamics of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Before reunification, both East and West Germany faced significant economic and social problems. In East Germany, the communist regime had left the country with a struggling economy and a repressive political system. In West Germany, there were also economic challenges, as the country had to absorb the costs of integrating the East German economy.

After reunification, Germany faced a whole new set of problems. The process of integrating the two economies and political systems was difficult and costly, and there were significant social and cultural differences between the two regions that had to be reconciled. German leaders played a crucial role in shaping events during this period, as they had to navigate the complexities of reunification and address the various challenges that arose.

In conclusion, the story of self-government in the two Germanys and the reunification of Germany was shaped by a combination of internal and external forces. German leaders played a key role in shaping events, as they had to navigate the complexities of reunification and address the various challenges that arose. Ultimately, the reunification of Germany was a remarkable achievement, but it was also a difficult and challenging process that required strong leadership and careful decision-making.

Question 2

Identify the following terms.
-Charles de Gaulle and the Fifth French Republic

Accepted Answer

Charles de Gaulle was a French military officer and statesman who played a significant role in the history of France during the mid-20th century. He was the leader of the Free French Forces during World War II and later became the founder of the French Fifth Republic and its first President.

De Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890, and served in World War I as a young officer. During World War II, after France fell to Nazi Germany in 1940, he refused to accept the French government's armistice with the Germans and fled to London, where he led the Free French government in exile. He became a symbol of French resistance and his famous appeal of June 18, 1940, called on the French people to resist the occupation and continue the fight against the Axis powers.

After the liberation of France in 1944, de Gaulle headed the provisional government but resigned in 1946 due to political disagreements. He returned to power in 1958 during the Algerian crisis, when the instability of the Fourth Republic led to fears of a military coup or civil war. De Gaulle was asked to form a government and used this opportunity to create a new constitution, which led to the establishment of the Fifth French Republic.

The Fifth French Republic is characterized by a strong executive branch with considerable powers vested in the President. This was a significant change from the parliamentary focus of the previous Fourth Republic. The new constitution, approved by a referendum in 1958, also introduced measures to stabilize the political system and prevent the frequent changes in government that had marked the Fourth Republic.

De Gaulle served as President of France from 1959 to 1969. His tenure was marked by efforts to restore France's stature on the international stage, including the development of an independent nuclear arsenal and withdrawal from NATO's military command. He also worked to resolve the Algerian War, granting independence to Algeria in 1962.

De Gaulle's presidency was also notable for his attempts to maintain French independence in foreign policy and his vision of a "Europe of Nations." He was a complex figure, both revered and criticized, and his legacy continues to influence French politics and society.

In summary, Charles de Gaulle was a pivotal figure in French history, known for his leadership during World War II and as the founding President of the Fifth French Republic, which established a new political system with a strong presidency that endures to this day.

Question 3

"On balance,the 1960s were the most significant decade in recent American history." Discuss,pro and con.

Accepted Answer

Pro: The 1960s were a time of immense social and cultural change in America. The civil rights movement gained momentum, leading to the passage of important legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped to dismantle institutionalized racism and segregation in the United States, marking a significant shift towards equality and justice for all citizens.

Additionally, the 1960s saw the rise of the feminist movement, with women advocating for equal rights and opportunities. The passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963 was a major milestone in the fight for gender equality. The decade also witnessed the Stonewall riots in 1969, which sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

In terms of foreign policy, the 1960s were marked by the Cuban Missile Crisis and the escalation of the Vietnam War. These events had a profound impact on American society and politics, shaping the country's role in global affairs for years to come.

Con: However, the 1960s also saw significant social unrest and violence. The assassinations of prominent leaders such as President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy left a deep scar on the nation. The Vietnam War divided the country and led to widespread protests and anti-war demonstrations.

Furthermore, the 1960s witnessed urban riots and civil disturbances, particularly in African American communities, highlighting the deep-seated racial tensions that still existed in the country. The decade also saw the emergence of countercultural movements, with widespread drug use and a rejection of traditional societal norms.

In conclusion, while the 1960s were undoubtedly a time of great change and progress in American history, they were also marked by significant challenges and conflicts. The decade's impact on American society and politics cannot be understated, but it is important to consider both the positive and negative aspects when evaluating its significance.

Question 4

How have Marxist leaders and movements fared in Latin America since 1960? In particular,examine the post-1960 history of Cuba.To what degree have nationalism and Marxism been blended in that nation?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Identify the following terms.
-Tony Blair

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-Tony Blair...

Question 6

What is meant by the term "Americanization"? Do you think the growth of "American" pop culture is the most important change in Western society since the 1930s? How significant is its reach beyond Western society? In what ways is this a positive influence? What negative trends does it introduce?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Identify the following terms.
-Helmut Kohl and German reunification

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-Helmut Kohl and German...

Question 8

How well did France handle the changes brought by the results of World War II and the loss of its colonial empire? What impact did the deterioration of the French position have on the rest of Europe and the United States? Were the ideas of Charles de Gaulle realistic or nostalgic? Why?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

What problems has Latin America faced since 1945,and what role has Marxist ideology played in their efforts to solve these problems? Have the major social and economic changes in Latin American societies made them more or less alike? Is it still accurate to treat them individually,or is it now more appropriate to analyze them regionally? Why or why not,in the light of developments since 1945?

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Identify the following terms.
-Konrad Adenauer

Accepted Answer

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-Konrad Adenauer...

Question 11

Identify the following terms.
-Angela Merkel

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-Angela Merkel...

Question 12

Why and when did the New Deal basis of United States politics lose its centrality? How and when did it happen? Was this loss related to changes in civil rights policies? Why or why not?

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Question 13

Identify the following terms.
-Margaret Thatcher,the "Iron Lady," and Thatcherism

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-Margaret Thatcher,the "Iron Lady,"...

Question 14

Identify the following terms.
-France's nuclear bomb

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-France's nuclear bomb...

Question 15

What have been the most important developments in Canada since 1945? In what ways has national unity been challenged from within? What role have ideas about excessive United States influence in Canada played in shaping that nation's foreign and domestic policies?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What have been the most important developments...

Question 16

What directions did Eastern European nations take after they became free from Soviet control? Why did they react as they did? How,and why,have Europeans made unprecedented attempts to achieve greater unity,after centuries of division,since 1945? How successful have their efforts been? Is there ever likely to be a "United States of Europe"? What factors would tend to make this a likely possibility? What would tend to make it unlikely?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

How has Western society changed due to the growth of permissiveness,changes in the status of women,and the emergence of modern terrorism in the last thirty years? Which has had the deepest impact,and why?

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Question 18

"Margaret Thatcher was the most significant British Prime Minister in the last half of the twentieth century." Discuss,pro and con.

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Question 19

What are the challenges presented by international terrorism since 1970? In a discussion of three or four specific events or movements,what are some of the commonalities and some of the differences between them?

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Question 20

Identify the following terms.
-Willi Brandt and Ostpolitik

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-Willi Brandt and Ostpolitik...

Quiz 28: Europe and the Western Hemisphere since 1945

What internal and external forces shaped the story of self-government in the two Germanys,and then the reunification of Germany? What problems did they face,both before and after reunification? Did German leaders shape events or just "read and ride them well"? How and why?

Identify the following terms. -Charles de Gaulle and the Fifth French Republic

"On balance,the 1960s were the most significant decade in recent American history." Discuss,pro and con.

How have Marxist leaders and movements fared in Latin America since 1960? In particular,examine the post-1960 history of Cuba.To what degree have nationalism and Marxism been blended in that nation?

Identify the following terms. -Tony Blair

What is meant by the term "Americanization"? Do you think the growth of "American" pop culture is the most important change in Western society since the 1930s? How significant is its reach beyond Western society? In what ways is this a positive influence? What negative trends does it introduce?

Identify the following terms. -Helmut Kohl and German reunification

How well did France handle the changes brought by the results of World War II and the loss of its colonial empire? What impact did the deterioration of the French position have on the rest of Europe and the United States? Were the ideas of Charles de Gaulle realistic or nostalgic? Why?

Identify the following terms. -Konrad Adenauer

Identify the following terms. -Angela Merkel

Why and when did the New Deal basis of United States politics lose its centrality? How and when did it happen? Was this loss related to changes in civil rights policies? Why or why not?

Identify the following terms. -Margaret Thatcher,the "Iron Lady," and Thatcherism

Identify the following terms. -France's nuclear bomb

What have been the most important developments in Canada since 1945? In what ways has national unity been challenged from within? What role have ideas about excessive United States influence in Canada played in shaping that nation's foreign and domestic policies?

How has Western society changed due to the growth of permissiveness,changes in the status of women,and the emergence of modern terrorism in the last thirty years? Which has had the deepest impact,and why?

"Margaret Thatcher was the most significant British Prime Minister in the last half of the twentieth century." Discuss,pro and con.

What are the challenges presented by international terrorism since 1970? In a discussion of three or four specific events or movements,what are some of the commonalities and some of the differences between them?

Identify the following terms. -Willi Brandt and Ostpolitik