Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for History for Baccalaureate

Ferdinand VII: The Restoration of Absolutism (1813-1833)

Ferdinand returned to Spain in 1814. His reign is divided into three phases:

1. Six Years of Absolutism (1814-1820):

   Upon his return, Ferdinand sought to establish an absolute monarchy, reverting to the Ancien Régime. He annulled the constitution and reversed the Cortes' reforms.

2. Liberal Triennium (1820-1823):

   A successful pronunciamiento forced Ferdinand to reinstate the constitution. Liberals formed the national militia, composed of liberal volunteers, to defend it. Ferdinand appealed to the Holy Alliance for help in restoring absolutism.

3. Ominous Decades (1823-1833):

   The first crisis emerged in 1823 when the king rejected financial reforms, fearing the loss of support from those who would have

The Bolshevik Seizure of Power

Lenin and Trotsky, from the outset, aimed to consolidate power within the Bolshevik Party. This unprecedented structure placed true authority in the hands of a private entity, "the Party." Bolsheviks held key positions within the state apparatus, overseen by the Council of People's Commissars.

Despite pledging to convene and honor the Constituent Assembly, the Bolsheviks, aware of their minority standing, employed delaying tactics. The elections, however, proceeded, resulting in a Socialist Revolutionary majority. The dissolution of Russia's first democratically elected legislature marked the dawn of Bolshevik dictatorship. In March 1918, the Bolshevik Party rebranded as the Russian Communist Party, distinguishing...

The Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship rights to all people born in the United States.

The Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment prohibited states from depriving citizens the right to vote based on race.

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

President Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives, but was acquitted by the Senate by one vote.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that racial segregation laws for public facilities were constitutional as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality.

Jim Crow Laws

Jim Crow laws were a system of laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.

The Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished...

What Was World War II?

World War II, a global armed conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, was a total war in two distinct aspects. Firstly, civilian populations became primary targets and the war's most tragic victims. Secondly, the conflict engulfed all continents, marking it as one of the most brutal and inhumane wars in history.

Driven by Nazi expansionism, World War II represented an ideological struggle. It pitted democracy and socialism against fascism, even sparking civil conflicts within the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Allied forces—including Britain, France, the USA, and the Soviet Union—fought for liberal democratic principles.

As the largest armed conflict in human history, World War II resulted in unprecedented destruction,...

The 19th Congress of the European Movement: Munich 1962

This document represents a conclusion or decision reached by the congress, outlining the characteristics required for membership in a supranational institution. It was drafted on June 8, 1962, in Munich by 118 Spanish participants.

Francoist Spain: A Contradictory Era

During this period, Spain remained under the Francoist regime. The entire nation was under Franco's authoritarian control. While the 1960s ushered in a period of economic, cultural, and educational development, alongside a greater openness of thought, the political system and the repressive nature of the dictatorship remained unchanged.

Economic Growth and European Alignment

Economically, Spain began to experience growth as a...

Historical Analogies and Key Terms

Exercise VI: Complete the sentences. Use the words below. One word will not be used.

Word Bank: mosaics, vassals, sagas, Orthodox Church, Justinian Code, Barbarians

1. Hot is to cold as vassals were to the Romans.
2. The Code of Hammurabi was to the Babylonians as the Justinian Code was to the Byzantines.
3. Epics were to the Greeks as Barbarians were to the Vikings.
4. The Catholic Church was to the Western Roman Empire as the Orthodox Church was to the Eastern Roman Empire.

Foundations of Islam: Key Figures and Beliefs

Exercise VII: Complete the paragraph. Use the words below. One word will not be used.

Word Bank: Hajj, fast, Medina, Mecca, Kaaba

Muhammad was born in Mecca in Arabia. Muslims believe that an angel appeared to...

Greece: An EU Member State

Greece joined the EU in 1981.

Location

Greece is located in southeastern Europe, bordering Turkey, Bulgaria, Albania, and North Macedonia.

Capital City

The capital city is Athens.

Currency

The euro is the official currency.

Religion

95% of the population belongs to the Orthodox Church of Greece.

Language

Greek is the official language.

Economy

Historically agriculture-based, Greece's economy is now led by industry. Tourism and shipping are also vital economic sectors. However, the Greek economy faces challenges, including high unemployment, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption. The financial crisis and austerity measures have led to public discontent and protests.

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Greece has increased...

Elizabeth II: Carlist Wars and Liberal Reforms (1833-1854)

The First Carlist War (1833-1840)

The First Carlist War occurred during the regency of Maria Cristina, although tensions between liberals and Carlists emerged earlier. The war is divided into three stages:

• The first stage began with armed outbreaks in Talavera and Valencia and ended with the death of the Carlist chief, Zumalacárregui.
• The second stage emphasized the Royal Expedition led by Carlos María Isidro, which ultimately failed.
• The third stage saw the division of the Carlists and concluded with the signing of the Vergara Agreement by the moderate sector and the defeat of the most radical faction in Cabrera (1840).

Liberal Divisions and the 1837 Constitution

The liberals were also...

Stage of Isolation and Autarky

4. Material Costs of the War Were Important but Not Decisive.

The delay in the recovery of economic growth was due to political intervention, autarky, and the isolation of the dictatorship. In 1939, the dictatorship launched a program of economic autarky in response to economic factors, ideology, and political continuity. There are two different periods: a stage of full self-sufficiency, and the gradual dismantling of the same.

The results were negative:

• In agriculture, production fell. The state set low prices for agricultural producers, considered inadequate, and some production was diverted to the black market, which became widespread.
• In the industrial sector, the establishment of many state industries was promoted.