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

OLD REGIME

It was a social and political system established in Western Europe from approximately the 15th century. The political system was authoritarian and had absolute monarchy, demography (old demographic regime), society (estates of realm), economy (agrarian subsistence economy), and religion.

ENLIGHTENMENT

It was an intellectual movement developed in the 18th century. It started in France and spread to Europe and America. It defended progress, education, nature, encyclopedias, and separation of powers.

REVOLUTION

A historical process that drives to a very deep change which can be political or economical. They are usually short.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The progress of independence of the USA (1775-1783). It was a colonial revolt against the British... Continue reading "The Old Regime, Enlightenment, and Revolution in Europe and America" »

World War II

WW2 (1939-1945) was a vast conflict between Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) and Allied Powers (Britain, USSR, France, USA). Consequences:

• Impact of WW1: Germany lost territory and economy was damaged by the need to pay war reparations.
• Rise of fascism and nationalism: Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, many feared a communist revolution.
• Weakness of democracies: Expansionism of Germany and Italy was only possible because Britain and France avoided another war.
• Great Depression: Economic crises in many countries led to extreme ideologies like Nazism.

Outbreak of WW2: Germany claimed lost territory from Poland, leading to the invasion in 1939. Advance of Fascism: Japan occupied Manchuria in 1931, while Germany and Italy made... Continue reading "World War II: Causes, Events, and Consequences" »

Question 1

What did the U.S. do during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis?

Kennedy ordered a naval and air blockade around Cuba, a quarantine against all offensive weapons.

Question 2

In the 1960s, the radical group known as “Weathermen” was involved in:

College bombings that claimed several lives.

Question 3

When was the Equal Pay Act passed by Congress?

June 10, 1963.

Question 4

What happened during the Yom Kippur War of 1973?

Syria and Egypt held a surprise attack on Israeli-held lands.

Question 5

How did the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton end?

It ended with no charge attracting a majority of votes in the Senate.

Question 6

In 1992, Ross Perot made the best third-party showing in American politics since:

Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.

Question 7

In... Continue reading "20th Century American History Quiz" »

Mussolini’s rise to power

To the majority of Italians, the Versailles settlement was a bitter disappointment. Although Italy gained some territories, it was ignored. It seemed that other countries, particularly Yugoslavia, had gained at Italy’s expense. The territories that Italy gained were Trentino, South Tyrol, Istria, and Trieste.

Italy had borrowed heavily to finance its involvement in the First World War, leading to soaring inflation. In addition to this massive increase in the cost of living, Italians faced high unemployment as industry reduced production. The number of people seeking jobs increased with the return of the soldiers. Italy's parliamentary system was based on proportional representation, with more than nine political... Continue reading "Mussolini's Rise to Power and Foreign Policy" »

Main idea:

Explaining the Popular Front program (3 important ideas:)

• Intro: Explaining the purpose of the text: explaining the objectives agreed by the different left groups that united in a coalition, the Popular Front, drew up a common government program
• Agreements between signatories: in 2 things X problems between republicans and socialists: Grant a broad amnesty to imprisoned for social and political reasons after the 1933 elections, Restore principles of Constitution 1931 and reforms initiated during the Reform Biennium
• Disagreements between Socialists and Republicans: Measures proposed by Socialists not approved by Republicans (Nationalization of land, although they recognize the need to improve the system of land distribution to the peasantry

CIVIL WAR:

The country was divided into two:

• Republicans: Socialists, Communists, Anarchists, Republicans, Basque and Catalan Nationalists

They had the help of: Soviet Union and International Bridges.

• Nationals: Falange, CEDA, Carlists, conservative upper-middle classes, The church, Landowners

They had the help of: Germany and Italy

According to the Basque Country, from the very beginning Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia were in favor of the Republic, whereas Navarre and Araba were in favor of the Nationals.

Imperialism and Its Consequences

Imperialism: The European colonial expansion of the struggle between capitalist nations for the domination of the system.

Jewel in the Crown: The possession of India by the English empire, leading it to consolidate itself as a great imperial power.

Mother Country: The imperialist state that depends on a colony and which occupied all aspects of power, such as political, military, economic, cultural, and social power.

Tribal: Groups of elders led by chiefs who usually shared the same customs and beliefs.

Trenches: Holes in the ground where soldiers shot and defended themselves in World War I.

Colonies: Territories where weak local power allowed the mother countries to control all aspects of the country: economic, political,... Continue reading "Imperialism and the First World War: Impacts and Aftermath" »

According to this text are all the men equal in rights? What are the rights of man according to the text?

Yes, they are because says that all men are born free.

What is the origin of sovereignty according to the text? According to the text, can you be punished for something that is not forbidden by law? Who can take part in politics (make laws) according to the text?

The origin of sovereignty is the nation (line 6). No, you can be punished for something that is not forbidden by law (lines 11-12). All the citizens can take part in politics (lines 14-15).

Do you know during which phase of the French Revolution was signed this text: National Assembly, Constitutional Monarchy, First French Republic or Directory? Do you think that the principles of