State Expansion - AP World History

  1. Which African country remained independent during the Scramble for Africa?
    Ethiopia. Victory at Adwa (1896) secured Ethiopian sovereignty against Italian invasion.
  2. What is imperialism?
    The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or political dominance. This definition encompasses both territorial conquest and indirect control methods.
  3. What was the impact of the Berlin Conference on Africa?
    Established rules for the division of Africa among European powers. Created arbitrary borders without considering African ethnic or cultural boundaries.
  4. Identify one reason for the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.
    Economic difficulties and military defeats. Financial crises and territorial losses weakened central authority significantly.
  5. Name a significant cause of the Taiping Rebellion.
    Discontent with Qing rule and social inequality. Led by Hong Xiuquan, it challenged Qing authority from 1850-1864.
  6. What was the primary goal of the Monroe Doctrine?
    To oppose European colonialism in the Americas. Warned European powers against further colonization in the Western Hemisphere.
  7. Identify a key motivation for European imperialism in the 19th century.
    Economic gain through access to raw materials and new markets. Resources fueled industrialization while new markets sold manufactured goods.
  8. Which event marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate?
    The Meiji Restoration. The 1868 restoration returned power to Emperor Meiji from military rulers.
  9. Identify the war that led to U.S. acquisition of territories from Mexico.
    The Mexican-American War (1846-1848). U.S. victory resulted in acquisition of California and southwestern territories.
  10. What was the significance of the Suez Canal?
    It provided a shorter maritime route between Europe and Asia. Eliminated the need to sail around Africa, revolutionizing global trade.
  11. What was the primary purpose of the British East India Company?
    To trade and establish economic control in India. Originally a trading company, it gradually acquired territorial control.
  12. What was the purpose of the British Raj?
    To establish direct British control over India after the Sepoy Rebellion. Replaced East India Company rule with direct Crown administration in 1858.
  13. Which empire expanded its influence in Central Asia during this period?
    The Russian Empire. Russia's expansion included conquest of Kazakhstan and parts of Central Asia.
  14. Which European country controlled the Congo Free State?
    Belgium. King Leopold II personally controlled this territory through brutal exploitation.
  15. Which Asian country successfully resisted European colonization during this period?
    Thailand (Siam). Strategic diplomacy and modernization helped maintain independence between empires.
  16. Which empire was known for its 'Eastern Question' concerning its decline?
    The Ottoman Empire. European powers debated how to manage Ottoman territorial and political decline.
  17. Identify a significant impact of European imperialism on African societies.
    Disruption of traditional societies and economies. Colonial extraction systems destroyed local industries and social structures.
  18. What was the significance of the Russo-Japanese War?
    Marked the first time an Asian power defeated a European power. Japan's 1905 victory challenged Western assumptions about racial superiority.
  19. What was the significance of the opening of Japan by Commodore Perry?
    It ended Japanese isolation and initiated trade with the West. Perry's 1853-1854 visits forced Japan to abandon its isolationist sakoku policy.
  20. What was the Scramble for Africa?
    The rapid invasion, colonization, and division of Africa by European powers. Occurred primarily between 1880-1914, partitioning most of the continent.
  21. Which technological advancement facilitated European expansion in the 19th century?
    The steamship. Steam power enabled faster, more reliable ocean travel and river navigation.
  22. Name a significant result of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885).
    The division of Africa into territories controlled by European powers. The conference formalized European claims without African representation.
  23. Name the war that led to the independence of countries in Latin America.
    The Latin American Wars of Independence. Revolutionary movements ended Spanish colonial rule across South America.
  24. What is the significance of the Treaty of Nanking (1842)?
    It ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong to Britain. China's first unequal treaty opened ports and granted extraterritorial rights.
  25. What was the impact of the Sepoy Rebellion on British rule in India?
    Led to direct rule by the British Crown, ending the East India Company's control. The 1857 uprising prompted Britain to assume direct governmental control.
  26. What role did missionaries play in imperial expansion?
    They spread Christianity and Western values, often aiding colonial efforts. Religious conversion often facilitated cultural transformation and political control.
  27. Which empire was known for its 'Raj' period in India?
    The British Empire. British rule over India lasted from 1858-1947 after Company control ended.
  28. Identify the treaty that ended the Crimean War.
    The Treaty of Paris (1856). Ended the conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1856.
  29. What was the Meiji Restoration?
    The modernization and industrialization of Japan starting in 1868. Japan rapidly adopted Western technology and political systems to avoid colonization.
  30. Identify the African kingdom known for resisting European colonization.
    The Zulu Kingdom. Shaka's military innovations made them formidable opponents to British expansion.
  31. Which policy aimed to maintain the balance of power in Europe?
    The Concert of Europe. Major powers cooperated to prevent any single nation from dominating Europe.
  32. Which treaty ended the Spanish-American War?
    The Treaty of Paris (1898). Spain ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States.
  33. What was the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War?
    The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership. Prussian victory in 1871 created the German Empire under Prussian leadership.
  34. What was the Tanzimat Reforms?
    A series of reforms in the Ottoman Empire to modernize and centralize its administration. These 1839-1876 reforms attempted to strengthen the empire through westernization.
  35. Name a key figure in the unification of Germany.
    Otto von Bismarck. His diplomatic skill and military strategy united the German states by 1871.
  36. Which concept justified European powers' imperial expansion?
    The concept of 'civilizing mission' or 'White Man's Burden'. Europeans claimed moral duty to spread civilization and Christianity globally.
  37. Identify a factor that contributed to the decline of the Qing Dynasty.
    Internal rebellions and foreign imperial pressure. The Taiping Rebellion and Opium Wars severely weakened imperial authority.
  38. Which ideology emphasized national unity and independence during this period?
    Nationalism. Promoted ethnic unity and self-determination against imperial rule.

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