Looking for tips on Western Civ II

[wendpete32]

I am preparing to take Western Civ II in a few weeks and history is a weaker subject for me. Does anyone have any input or feedback that can help me prepare for the test? Thanks!!

[Andreamlee]

Western Civilization II puts a lot of emphasis on the World Wars I and II and the time frame between them. You’ll want to understand the concepts of both WW’s (who started them, what happened, why, what happened afterward, etc.) There’s a lot about Russia in the early twentieth century (i.e. the end of the czars, the Bolshevik revolution, power struggles, Russian Revolution -- communist Russia, what Lenin and Stalin did and how they diverged from Marx's ideals). Understand Austria-Hungary and their role in the 19th century and WWI, and which countries were neutral. Oh, and all the treaties, alliances, and pacts (there were a lot of them). At least try to be familiar with them.
Besides studying the World War time period, you should know:
• Know what NATO, the League of Nations, and the UN were/are, why they were started
• Romanticism -- basic tenets, how it differed from rationalism and how it influenced nationalism
• Absolutism, and in particular, how it worked with Louis XIV
• Understand mercantilism. There were at least two questions on the test that in some way related to mercantilism and I know I would have done better if I would have been more familiar with it
• Enlightenment philosophers and scientists -- major accomplishments and schools of thought. Be able to identify quotations from philosophical writings.
• French Revolution & Napoleonic Europe -- various phases of the revolution and rise of Napoleon
• Birth of the modern German and Italian nations, also the Crimean War and the fall of the Ottoman Empire
• Know about enlightened despotism -- which rulers were enlightened despots and what they all had in common
• Understand nationalism, nation-building, and the people and forces that influenced these trends and brought them about.
• Understand socialism and the milieu in which it arose. Also the different types of socialism, including social Darwinism.
• It is also helpful to brush up on English Legal History (Bill of Rights, Reform Act) and understand England's transition of power (Charles I, James II, William the Orange).
Last but not least, Western Civilization II does include many of the modern era social movements, trends, and fads, more so then Western Civ I. Also, the REA book doesn’t cover this aspect of the test very well, so it will take some on-your-own studying.

Also, the link below might be useful in covering some basic Western Civilization criteria:
WESTERN CIVILIZATION I I
Ok, I hope my rambling on isn't too confusing. The test wasn't difficult, per se, but if you don't have a strong history background the REA book by itself (or any one textbook by itself) might not be completely sufficient. Definitely the IC flashcards were helpful, especially the ones covering the WWI and WWII era.

[Tasman]

Welcome. It is best if you use the 'search' function. Your answer has probably been answered more than once before