Answer The Following Short Essay Questions Minimum Of 275 Wo

Answer The Following Short Essay Questions Minimum Of 275 Words Sup

Answer the following short essay questions (minimum of 275 words). Support your response with specific examples and source-based evidence, paying particular attention to time and place.

1. What was the Great War, a.k.a. World War I? Why did it occur? Why do we care? — A World War Reading: Bentley & Ziegler, Ch. 33 – The Great War, pp.; Memorandum, General Syrian Congress, pp.; What was the Great Depression? Why did it happen? Why does it matter? — Bentley & Ziegler, Ch. 34 – An Age of Anxiety, pp.; Bentley & Ziegler, Ch. 35 – Nationalism and Political Identities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, pp.; Peter Fritzsche, “Introduction” in Germans into Nazis, Marcus Garvey, p. 824; Franklin Roosevelt and the Soviet Five-Year Plan, pp. 801. What was World War II? What caused it? Why is it relevant? — Bentley & Ziegler, Ch. 36 – New Conflagrations: World War II and the Cold War, pp.; Mazower, “The End of Eurocentrism”; Hiroshima Maiden and Heinrich Himmler, pp. 847. What was Decolonization? Why did it happen? Why do we care? — Bentley & Ziegler, Ch. 37 – The End of Empire, pp.; Elias Chacour, “Seeds of Hope,” Chapter 8 in Blood Brothers; Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Kwame Nkrumah, pp. 869 & 877. Answer the essay question (minimum 750 words) according to the following guidelines: write a clear thesis in your opening paragraph, support your thesis with source-based evidence, reference time and place throughout, analyze at least five events from world history since 1700 from diverse regions, and argue logically and persuasively whether the “Global View” of modern history is Eurocentric or inclusive of multiple perspectives.

Paper For Above instruction

The complex tapestry of world history since 1700 reveals a series of transformative events that have shaped civilizations across continents. Central to this exploration are the origins and impacts of the Great War (World War I), the Great Depression, World War II, decolonization, and broader issues of Eurocentrism in global narratives. A thorough understanding of these events, through specific examples and sources, demonstrates that while European-centric narratives dominate, a multidimensional approach unearths diverse perspectives that are essential for a comprehensive history.

The outbreak of the Great War in 1914 epitomizes a confluence of nationalism, imperial rivalries, and militarism. As Bentley and Ziegler (Chapter 33) note, economic competition and alliances among European powers, particularly in the context of imperial ambitions in Africa and Asia, set the stage for the conflict. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo was merely the catalyst for a broader crisis rooted in time and place—Europe’s imperial heartland during the early 20th century. We care about this event because it marked a devastating rupture, leading to enormous loss of life—over 16 million deaths—and redefined international relations.

The ensuing Great Depression, beginning in 1929, was triggered by the stock market crash in the United States but was compounded by global interconnectedness and flawed economic policies. Bentley & Ziegler (Chapter 34) describe how economic instability spread across continents, causing mass unemployment and social unrest. The depression accelerated political radicalism—such as the rise of fascism in Europe—and contributed to the outbreak of World War II. It underscores how economic vulnerabilities in one region can have ripple effects worldwide, emphasizing the importance of understanding economic history within a global framework.

World War II, initiated by aggressive expansionism by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, was fueled by unresolved issues from the previous conflict and the failure of collective security. In Chapter 36, Bentley and Ziegler highlight how the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of totalitarian regimes contributed to the outbreak. The war’s relevance persists today, as it ushered in the atomic age and set the stage for the Cold War, fundamentally shifting international power dynamics. The Holocaust and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima exemplify the extreme consequences of totalitarian ideology and technological advancement, illustrating the darker facets of modern history.

Decolonization, emerging prominently after World War II, was driven by anti-colonial movements and the decline of European imperial dominance. Bentley & Ziegler (Chapter 37) document how independence movements in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean challenged the narratives of European superiority. Leaders like Jinnah and Nkrumah exemplify the desire for self-determination. This process is vital to understanding contemporary geopolitics, as remnants of colonialism continue to influence global affairs and narratives.

Regarding the “Global View” narrative, many scholars critique the tendency to prioritize European experiences, often marginalizing non-Western perspectives. A critical analysis reveals that world history since 1700 encompasses diverse events from multiple regions—Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas—and their interconnections demonstrate that history is not solely a Eurocentric story. For example, the Atlantic slave trade’s impact on Africa and the Americas, the rise of Asian empires, and African independence struggles illustrate a broader narrative that challenges Eurocentrism. Therefore, embracing multiple perspectives enriches our understanding, displacing the notion that history is predominantly a story of European ascent.

References

• Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. F. (2020). Traditions & Encounters: A Global Perspective on The Past. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Mazower, M. (2012). The End of Eurocentrism. Princeton University Press.
• Fritzsche, P. (2017). “Introduction” in Germans into Nazis. Harvard University Press.
• Chacour, E. (2006). “Seeds of Hope,” in Blood Brothers.
• Nkrumah, K. (1963). Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah. International Publishers.
• Jinnah, M. (1946). The Journey to Independence. Oxford University Press.
• Mazower, M. (2004). Salvaging the Nation: The End of Eurocentrism. Routledge.
• Friedman, J. (2020). Global Perspectives on the Cold War. Routledge.
• Hobsbawm, E. (1987). The Age of Empire: 1875–1914. Vintage.
• Adas, M. (2004). Machines as the Measure of Men: Science, Technology, and Ideologies of Western Dominance. Cornell University Press.