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

Spain During World War II

In October 1940, Hitler and Franco met in the French city of Hendaye. In exchange for entering the war in support of the Axis Powers, Franco asked Hitler to grant Spain control of Gibraltar and France's North African colonies. However, Hitler did not accept these conditions. Consequently, Spain remained neutral throughout the Second World War. This decision allowed Franco to concentrate on domestic challenges:

• Economic crisis
• Demographic crisis
• Political opposition: Although the Civil War had ended, Spanish society remained divided between supporters of Franco's regime and those who had fought against the Nationalists.

Although Spain did not formally join the Axis powers, Franco supported Nazi Germany by sending volunteer... Continue reading "Spain in World War II: Neutrality, Economy, and Society" »

Cork, located on Ireland's south coast, is the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the third-largest on the island of Ireland, following Dublin and Belfast. It is the largest city in the province of Munster, with a history dating back to the 6th century.

Origins of Cork

Cork began as a monastic settlement founded by St. Finbar in the 6th century. However, the ancestor of the modern city was established between 915 and 922 by Viking settlers who created a trading community. The Viking leader Ottir Iarla is particularly associated with raiding and conquests in Munster, and the Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib links this to the earliest Viking settlement of Cork. The Norse phase left a legacy of family names, such as Cotter and Coppinger,... Continue reading "The History of Cork: From Viking Roots to Modern Times" »

1. What do we call South America, Central America and North America?

A. The Americas

2. What is between Russia and Alaska?

C. the Bering Strait

3. What is maize very similar to?

C. corn

4. What did the Olmecs use to make statues?

D. basalt

5. What did the Olmecs use to make balls?

D. rubber

6. Where did the Nok people live?

A. West Africa

7. Which people built the city of Monte Albán?

A. Zapotec

8. Which people started a civilization on the Yucatan península?

D. Maya

9. Which city name means “City of the Gods”?

C. Teotihuacan

10. What did the Olmecs use to make statues?

basalt

11. Which people settled in Normandy?

Vikings

12. What do historians call the early part of the Middle Ages?

Dark Ages

13. Who was the ruler of Gaul in 768 AD?

A. Roland B. Charlemagne... Continue reading "Ancient Civilizations and World History Quiz" »

WHAT IS DECOLONIZATION?

The process of dismantlement (taking apart) of the Existing colonial empires

And the independence of their colonies that happened in 1945. It affected more Than 50 countries and around 1500 Million people.

CAUSES OF DECOLONIZATION

WWII
Nationalist movements
Emergence of charismatic leaders
International support

WHO SUPPORTER DECOLONIZATION ?

intellectuals, Christian churches, international Humanitarian movement
United Nations

WHAT WAS THE MARSHALL PLAN? HOW WAS EUROPE AFFECTED?
A rescue and reconstruction plan based on grants and loans for Europe
That was in ruins after WWII. USA sought new markets and wanted to avoid
Social unrest which might favor communism in Europe.
Europe received 25,000 million dollars and USA intervened

WHO

1.3 The Consequences of the Revolution: The USSR

Lenin's Government (1921-1924)

Lenin held all political power. In 1922, he created a political organization called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), made up of Russia and other Asian republics. It was organized as a federal state and adopted a New Economic Policy (NEP), which combined communist and capitalist policies. Thanks to this policy, the Soviet economy made a recovery.

Stalin's Government (1927-1953)

Lenin's successor began a new era, called 'Stalinism'. A totalitarian political system was established, which used state violence to purge society of his opponents. The economy became controlled by the state:

• Agriculture: Land was collectively owned and farmed by agricultural cooperatives

The Development of World War I

1914 was a new crisis in the Balkans which damaged Europe.

The outbreak of conflict

The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian crown was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist terrorist group called Black Hand. Austria declared war on Serbia, starting the game of alliances between central powers and triple entente. The working class was pacifist and anti-war, everything happened so fast and they decided to go to war. Those who were opposed were persecuted and punished.

War of movement and trench warfare

The Schlieffen plan decided to attack against Paris invading Belgium. The Germans wanted to invade France but the French army managed to stop the advance in the Battle of the Marne. German strategy had failed,... Continue reading "The Development of World War I: Causes, Alliances, and Trench Warfare" »

MA 4: Key Periods and Concepts

Revolution (1640-1653)

Beginning with the Long Parliament, this era saw the beheading of King Charles I. Religious problems became politically charged, leading to a separation and confrontation between Royalists and Republicans. Theaters closed as a form of repression, and poetics shifted towards a Plainstyle.

The Commonwealth (1649-1659)

This republic, also known as the Protectorate, ruled England, Ireland, and Scotland. Diverse political and religious groups, characterized by radicalism, emerged. Literature grappled with the question of social order. The Protestant idea of 'inner light' as God's grace became politically significant.

The Restoration (1660-1688)

The Stuart monarchy returned with Charles II and later... Continue reading "English Literature: Revolution, Commonwealth & Restoration (1640-1688)" »

The Communist World (1945-1982)

General Characteristics

• Political System: Dictatorship of the proletariat. The common interest was prioritized over individual rights and freedom.
• Countries established institutions that merged executive and legislative powers, allowing only the existence of a single party: the communist party.
• Economy: Controlled by the state.
  • Collectivized land
  • Nationalized industry and services
  • Controlled the market and prices
• Economic Performance:
  • 1945-1960: Recovered from the war crisis.
  • Post-1960: Economic slowdown due to:
    • Low productivity
    • Lack of economic incentives
    • Technological backwardness compared to the West
    • Lack of consumer products leading to rationing
• Communist Society:
  • In theory: Egalitarian and classless.
  • In practice: Significant

The Progressive Movement

The Progressive Movement was a period of social and political reform largely driven by the middle class.

It initially began within the Republican Party but quickly spread across the political spectrum. A primary goal was to combat political corruption and limit the excessive control of businesses over American political institutions, such as the Senate.

Reform efforts also focused on improving the lives of the American working class, who faced very bad working and living conditions, including widespread illnesses and child labor.

Theodore Roosevelt was a prominent figure during this era, known for his efforts to establish a balance between business interests and the rights of workers, as well as his earlier fame as a national... Continue reading "The Progressive Movement and the Haymarket Riot" »