Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for History

1. What Was the Cold War?

The Cold War was a period of permanently tense international relations between 1945 and 1991. During this time, the world was divided into two opposing blocs:

1.1. Western Bloc

Led by the USA, these countries had a political system based on democracy and a capitalist economy.

1.2. Eastern Bloc

Led by the Soviet Union, these countries had a totalitarian regime and a centrally planned economy.

2. Characteristics of the Cold War

A. Bipolar Order: The two superpowers had similar military and destructive capabilities. They maintained international tensions based on distrust and threats.

B. The Arms Race: Rivalry between both superpowers to have the greatest weapons: atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and chemical weapons.

C. Areas of

The American Revolution (1775-1783)

Causes of the War (Caused by a Combination of Factors)

Chapter 16

1. Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan

2. Wade-Davis Manifesto

3. Freedmen's Bureau

4. John Wilkes Booth

5. Proclamation of Amnesty

6. Radical Republicans

7. Military Reconstruction Act

8. Tenure of Office Act

9. Union League

10. Baptist

11. African Americans

12. Carpetbaggers

13. Scalawags

14. Ku Klux Klan

15. Liberal Republicans

16. Republicans

17. Samuel Tilden

18. Grant

19. 1876 Presidential Election

20. Compromise of 1877

21. Reconstruction

22. Andrew Johnson

23. Fifteenth Amendment

24. Susan B. Anthony

25. Horace Greeley

26. Pinckney Pinchback

27. Hiram Revels

28. Edwin M. Stanton

29. Charles Sumner

A. Most Popular Religious Denomination Among Blacks

This was the most popular religious denomination among blacks in the postwar South

B. Group Opposed Grant

This group... Continue reading "Reconstruction Era: Key Figures and Events" »

Key Events of WW2

1939 September → Invasion of Poland (Trigger event)

1940 June → Germany invades France and defeats her in six weeks

1941 June - December → OPERATION BARBAROSSA

- Germany invades Russia. It is the largest military operation in history

1941 December → PEARL HARBOR

- Japan attacks on Pearl Harbor

1942 June → Battle of Midway

- The US Navy defeats the Japanese Navy.

1943 February → Stalingrad

- The German army surrenders at Stalingrad. One of the bloodiest battles, Hitler suffers a major defeat.

1944 June → Operation Overlord

- The Allies launch the largest assault in history on Normandy

1945 August → Hiroshima and Nagasaki

- The USA drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 200.000 killing. Japan announces its surrenders.... Continue reading "Key Events, Causes, and Consequences of World War II" »

A Woman's Wartime Journey

London, December 12, 1917

My Dearest Sister,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well, and that you are managing the farm despite your husband and son's absence.

Here in London, rationing is stricter than ever, but I am keeping well and have ways of obtaining enough food through the black market. I am now employed at my husband's factory, ensuring his job remains secure until his return.

Many women from my organization have found similar work. Some are working in their husbands' offices, while others have taken on unexpected roles like grave diggers, road layers, and bus drivers. A few are even considering joining the Salvation Army, hoping to serve as nurses, cooks, or helpers in France.

Our lives have changed... Continue reading "A Woman's Wartime Journey: From Suffragist to Factory Worker" »

Economic Recovery (The 1920s)

Definition

Loans and investments in European industries were given by the American government. War reparations and payments were revised.

Aim

To increase the value of the German mark (currency).

Consequence

The United States also helped other European countries by giving them loans and selling the consumer goods they lacked. As a result, by the mid-1920s, the world economy began to recover and grew steadily. It was a prosperous time, known as the Roaring Twenties.

The Wall Street Crash of 1929

Industrial Overproduction

During World War I, American industry supplied Europe, so they produced more. After the war, European industry started to recover, and European countries started producing their own products.

Consequence

Europe... Continue reading "The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression" »

Colonial Conquest of Africa

19th-century European industrialization created a need for raw materials and markets for manufactured goods in Africa. Economic motivation was important in colonization, as was politics, including nationalism in Europe. Competition between European nations (Britain, France, Germany) caused the colonization of Africa in just 25 years. Europeans viewed themselves as a more advanced civilization. They colonized in two ways: 1. treaties with African leaders 2. military force.

New Borders for Africa

Imposed by Europeans with no attention to existing political organizations, dividing friends and uniting enemies.

World War I (1914)

Causes

Assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke triggered the outbreak of WWI.

Alliances

Agreements... Continue reading "19th & 20th Century Europe: Colonialism, World Wars, and Russian Revolution" »

INTRODUCTION

• The desire for self-government took the form of a statute of autonomy. The moderate sector of Basque nationalism, the “euskalerriacos” (mainly CNV) would promote a campaign in favour of autonomy in 1917.

• Spanish and international context: at the end of the 1st World War there were problems of nationalities and the proposals for peace and the rights of self-determination will be decisive.

• In this context, Eusko Ikaskuntza society emerged (1918), promoted by the 4 Diputaciones in order to promote the study of Basque subjects.  Euskaltzaindia also emerged from this society.

• PNV did not take part in the signing of the Pact of San Sebastian (1930) delaying the approval of Basque Statute.

1. II REPUBLIC IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

1.1.Political

MAKING OF EUROPE

1. Why Unite Europe?

• Post-War Devastation: World War II left Europe in ruins, with Germany divided, France in its Fourth Republic, and the Italian monarchy overthrown. Unification offered a path to recovery and stability.
• Economic Reconstruction: The creation of a common market aimed to boost trade and economic growth for war-torn nations.
• Preventing Future Conflicts: The trauma of war fostered a desire for lasting peace. Negotiation and cooperation became paramount, particularly between France and Germany.
• Franco-German Cooperation: The post-war period witnessed unprecedented cooperation between France and Germany, laying the foundation for European integration.
• Challenges of Integration: Integrating West Germany posed economic

The American Revolution (1775-1783)

2.1. Causes of the War

• Ideological factors:
  • Colonists were influenced by Enlightenment ideas about liberty and equality.
  • These ideas became the basis for the independence movement.
• Political factors:
  • British Parliament made decisions about taxes and other issues related to the colonies.
  • Great Britain refused to allow the colonies to be represented in Parliament.
• Economic and social factors:
  • Wealthy colonial bourgeoisie wanted freedom to trade without British interference.
  • They also wanted to occupy territories to the west.
  • The high cost of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) led to increased taxes on products like tea, sugar, and lead.
  • Colonies refused to pay these taxes, leading to protests like the Boston Tea Party.

2.