How did a political assassination in June 1914 lead to a world war? Why did each of the major countries intervene? Because Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist, Austria used the incident as an excuse to declare war against Serbia to supposedly avenge the death. However, Austria’s real motive … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 120

What are the values of Modernism that we see reflected across different fields, and how do they represent a departure from neoclassicism and the Enlightenment? Values of Modernism were reflected across fields of science, literature, art and music through influential figures such as Scientist Neils Bohr claiming that the universe can only be understood as far … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 115

What was the Kulturkampf? The “Kulturkampf” (cultural struggle) was a struggle between Otto Von Bismarck, the Prussian prime minister who organized the unification of the German states into one Germany, and the Catholic Church. Bismarck, a Lutheran, attacked and oppressed the Catholics because he wanted the state to take control of and subordinate the Catholic Church … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 110

What were the key steps in the process of German unification? Otto Von Bismarck, who became prime minister of Prussia in 1862, was the key figure that organized the unification of the German states into one Germany. Evidently, he believed in German nationalism but also believed his state, Prussia, was the superior state in Germany. … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 105

Discuss two weak points in the views of Karl Marx, and explain what’s wrong with them. One of the weakest points in the views of Karl Marx is that he said capitalists were all money grabbing, bloodthirsty, big bosses, that live off of others suffering. This view is wrong because most of the time bosses … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 100

What happened in France during the Revolution of 1830? In 1830, the Chamber of Deputies returned a vote of no confidence in the government. The majority of voters who were liberals, were not pleased with how Charles X was ruling. Charles X was an Ultra, the political party that opposed the liberals. In the following … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 95

What was the basic message of the utopian socialists? The basic message of utopian socialism was that they could peacefully persuade capitalists to give up freedom and a free market society. What were the characteristics of neoclassicism? Give one example of neoclassicism and show how it embodies at least one of these characteristics. Neoclassicism was … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 90

What does the evidence show about education in England before the compulsory state system was established? Evidence shows that education was just as good or better before the compulsory state system. What is classical liberalism? Classical liberalism is an idea that values the freedom of the people, it promotes free speech, freedom of religion, and … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 85

According to Deirdre McCloskey, why do some of the traditional explanations for Western prosperity fail, and what in her view is the major, unique ingredient that accounts for it? McCloskey was of the opinion that these traditional explanations had a little influence over Western prosperity. Her explanation was that the major factor, which was unique … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 80

What, in a nutshell, was the Industrial Revolution? The industrial revolution was the beginning of a new way of life in which there were more opportunities for work. The Industrial revolution brought about many new inventions and ways to do things that consumed less time and made more money. What was the standard-of-living debate? The … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 75