Calls for Reform and Responses after 1900: AP World History Study Guide
Introduction
Hey there, future historians! Grab your time-travel goggles because we're diving into the whirlwind rollercoaster of reform movements and responses in the 20th century, from the early 1900s all the way to the present. 🌍 This era was like the season finale of a drama series with plot twists involving human rights, gender equality, and civil rights. Whether you're gearing up for the AP exam or just want a mind-blowing history lesson, this guide’s got you covered. Let's get this show on the road!
Human Rights in the Global Age 🌎
By the dawn of the 20th century, humans all over the globe were waking up like they'd just gulped down a quadruple espresso shot, questioning governments and inequitable systems left and right. Why is this period called the Global Age? Because thanks to technology and media, Earth was now a connected family network—like having a massive group chat but without all the annoying notifications. 📲
Human rights issues—once as localized as Aunt Edna's pecan pie recipe—were now broadcast to millions via radio, television, and, later, the internet. This sparked movements worldwide as marginalized groups started demanding reforms and challenging entrenched notions about race, gender, and religion.
Human Rights in China
Let’s talk about one of history’s most intense hot seats: China. Under the communist rule of Mao Zedong (who probably would've never won a "Most Popular Leader" contest), Chinese citizens faced severe human rights violations. After winning the Chinese Civil War, Mao launched the People’s Republic of China in 1949, turning China into a communist state.
Under Mao's regime, China saw radical changes like:
- Land Redistribution: The government forcefully removed landowners and distributed their land among peasants. Mao estimated that around 2 to 3 million Chinese lost their lives during this process.
- Re-education Camps: Established from 1957 until 2013, these labor camps were for those who dared to oppose the government or break the law. Starvation and hard labor were the order of the day—definitely not a holiday camp! Later on, these camps also doubled as prisons for criminals.
- Great Leap Forward: Mao's ambitious but disastrous plan to transform China from an agrarian society into a communist one. Spoiler alert: it did not end well.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Fast forward to December 10, 1948, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Think of it as the "Ten Commandments" of modern human dignity, but with 30 articles. This declaration set the standard for what humanity could aspire to (cue angelic choir sounds).
Some highlights include:
- Right to life, liberty, and security
- Right to education and work
- Prohibition of discrimination and guarantees for freedom of thought and expression
It’s like getting the ultimate global citizenship brochure. The declaration inspired various human rights instruments, including the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Gender Equality
Before the 20th century, women had the same social status as invisible ink—visible only if you knew where to look. But things started to change. Women worldwide began to speak out against job discrimination and their exclusion from voting and political participation.
Wave those banners high because women’s suffrage triumphantly swept through countries. Here are some milestone dates (think of them as the power-up levels in a video game):
- USA got there in 1920.
- Brazil followed in 1932.
- Turkey said yes in 1934.
- Japan joined in 1945.
- India completed the level in 1947.
Civil Rights
Civil Rights Movement in the United States: After being freed from slavery, African Americans faced discrimination through Jim Crow Laws, which segregated them and hampered their progress. From the mid-1950s to the late 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement sought to end racial discrimination and secure equality for all, regardless of skin color. Key players included Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and many others. The movement reached a landmark with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that banned discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin. Think of it as a game-changing patch update for American society.
Apartheid in South Africa: If you thought being grounded was harsh, wait until you hear about apartheid. Apartheid was South Africa's extreme version of segregation, relegating non-white citizens to separate areas and facilities. The Afrikaner National Party kicked it off in 1948, turning "apartness" into actual policy. It wasn't until media pressure and the United Nations embargo—along with the indomitable spirit of leaders like Nelson Mandela—that apartheid started crumbling. Mandela was freed in 1990 and became President in 1994, spelling the end of apartheid in South Africa.
Australian Aborigine Civil Rights Movement: European colonization decimated the native Australian Aborigine population, dwindling their numbers to just about 60,000 by the 1920s. The Western Australia Aborigines Act was a grim attempt to eradicate Aboriginal life, placing harsh restrictions on native Australians and even separating children from their parents (not the best family reunion plan). The Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 was a beacon of change, making such discrimination illegal. With Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2008 apology to the Aboriginal people, Australia took a major step towards healing historical wounds.
Key Terms to Review
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Document adopted by the UN in 1948, outlining fundamental human rights for all.
- Great Leap Forward: Mao Zedong's disastrous effort to rapidly industrialize China.
- Apartheid: System of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa.
- Civil Rights Movement: 1950s-60s movement to end racial discrimination in the US.
- Suffrage: The right to vote, particularly related to women gaining this right in the early 20th century.
- Re-education Camps: Labor camps in China for political indoctrination, punishment, and forced labor.
Fun Fact
Did you know that Nelson Mandela was on the US terror watch list until 2008? If someone as iconic as Mandela can be misunderstood, there's hope for everyone's high school reputation! 😅
Conclusion
Bravo, you’ve made it to the end! From China’s radical communist transformation to the fight for equal rights across the globe, the 20th century was a time of monumental change and reform. As you prepare for your AP exam, remember these lessons of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Now go forth and ace that exam with the spirit of activists, reformers, and freedom fighters fueling your intellectual journey! 🚀👩🎓👨🎓
