Brendan Haggerty

Mr. Malone
AP World History
5/14/2018
Challenges to old orders cause global conflicts
Throughout the period 1900-2000 many global conflicts arose. Global conflicts were so

prevalent during this time period because revolts for rights and change are extremely popular.

These revolts can all be traced back to the enlightenment where knowledge based on the natural

world gave people the incentive to fight for change. That is what is happening during this time

period, revolutions and challenges to old orders are on the rise. These revolutions are not only

causing change, but they are causing global conflicts, where people are fighting for what they

believe. During the period circa 1900-2001 many challenges to old orders raised and caused

global conflicts, many changes in political status were to authoritarian governments.

Cuba challenging the US meant a global conflict would occur. In Cuba there was a US

established leader, and many revolts were made against him. The main revolt, that was

successful, was the one led by the Castro’s. The overthrow led by the Castro’s took the US out of

control of Cuba and an authoritarian government was established. The US wanted to kick the

Castro’s out and regain power. Another thing that stirred the conflict was when the USSR

wanted to put nukes on Cuban soil. The USSR wanted to put nukes there because at the time

there was a conflict between the US and the USSR. The US attempted to take action and regain

power through the Bay of Pigs operation but failed. Overall, In Cuba there was a change in

government that stirred a global conflict.

Hitler’s rise to power, another example of a global conflict arising from challenges to old

orders. At the end of WWI Germany because a democracy but was failing because they were
being tarnished by the treaty of Versailles that ended WWI. The treaty left Germany in great debt

and Hitler promised to make a change. Hitler rose to power by telling the German people that the

great depression would end, and Germany would prosper again. Hitler won power in Germany

and established an authoritarian government. This meant that Hitler would mobilize the army and

start WWII. Hitler establishing an authoritarian government meant all-out war and created the

largest global conflict in history that killed millions. To summarize, Germanys establishment of

an authoritarian government meant creating one of the largest global conflicts of all time.

Overall, these challenges to old order were successful, but cause global conflicts. Change

within this time period means that it can be beneficial, or it could destroy nations. Authoritarian

governments were so popular after overthrows, because leaders promise things that the people

want. The authoritarian governments appeal to the people until total control is established, there

are little to no revolutions after that, only mass overthrows. Revolutions may be appealing to

some but not to all, because revolution causes change and change causes conflict.