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

Key European Alliances (1879-1914)

• 1879 – Dual Alliance

  Germany and Austria-Hungary formed this alliance to protect themselves from Russia.

• 1882 – Triple Alliance

  Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed this alliance to prevent Italy from aligning with Russia.

• 1894 – Franco-Russian Alliance

  Russia and France allied to protect against Germany and Austria-Hungary.

• 1904 – The Entente Cordiale

  An agreement between Britain and France, recognizing colonial possessions and reducing tensions.

• 1907 – The Anglo-Russian Entente

  An agreement between Britain and Russia regarding spheres of influence in Asia.

• 1907 – The Triple Entente

  Formed by the previous agreements, uniting France, Britain, and Russia.

• 1914 – The Triple Entente Agreement

  Members agreed

The French Revolution's Aftermath

Reign of Terror

The wave of rumors and senseless panic that overcame France following the storming of the Bastille in 1789 led to the widespread destruction of manor houses and archives containing the feudal obligations of peasants.

The Napoleonic Wars

Napoleon Bonaparte

He overthrew the French Directory in 1799 and became Emperor of the French in 1804. He failed to defeat Great Britain and abdicated in 1814, returned to power briefly in 1815, but was defeated and died in exile.

Key Terms and Events

Coup d'état

Plebiscite

Concordat

An agreement between the Pope and Napoleon where Napoleon recognized Catholicism as the religion of the majority of France, and the Pope agreed not to ask for the return of any land seized... Continue reading "The Napoleonic Era and Latin American Revolutions" »

Vladimir Lenin and the October Revolution

Lenin was the Bolshevik leader and the main inspirational figure of the October Revolution of 1917. In 1897, he was imprisoned and deported to Siberia for his activities against the tsarist autocracy. After being released in 1900, he went into exile in Switzerland. Following the victory of the February Revolution, he returned to Russia to lead the Bolsheviks' seizure of power. He ruled the USSR until his death in 1924.

The Fall of the Tsarist Regime

The fall of the tsarist regime occurred due to the military disaster of Russia in the Great War and because of the misery and famine that most of the population suffered.

The Provisional Government and Social Unrest

The Tsar's regime was replaced by a republic... Continue reading "Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Revolution History" »

Political Shifts in 19th-Century Spain

Stability was achieved in Spain, and the peseta became the country’s official currency. In December 1874, another military uprising occurred. This brought the restoration of the monarchy, the return of the Bourbon dynasty, and the end of the First Republic.

North America: Expansion and Conflict

In North America, the United States consolidated itself as a sovereign nation and established its definitive borders. The arrival of many immigrants from Europe encouraged the United States to expand westwards and reach the Pacific coast. This expansion led to conflicts and wars with Native Americans, which resulted in the destruction of many tribes.

The northern states were hostile towards slavery, which still existed... Continue reading "19th Century Political Transformations in Spain and America" »

The Provisional Government (1868-1870)

After the deposition of Isabella II, the Progressive Party and the Liberal Union formed a Provisional Government (1868-1870).

Key Decisions

• Call elections to Constituent Cortes: these Cortes wrote the Constitution of 1869, a democratic Constitution, with a wide declaration of rights, universal male suffrage and a Parliamentary Monarchy.
• The peseta was declared the official currency.
• Search for a new king: the progressive General Prim was in charge of looking for a new king for the country. After several candidates, Amadeus of Savoy was chosen. He arrived in Spain at the end of 1870.

This democratic period allowed the arrival of propagandists of the International Workingmen’s Association, and the first anarchist... Continue reading "Spanish History: Provisional Government to Restoration" »

Napoleon's Rise to Power

• 1799: Seized control of the Directory through a coup d'état, establishing a three-man Consulate with himself as First Consul.
• 1802: Proclaimed himself Consul for life.
• 1804: Crowned himself Emperor.
• Democratic Despotism: Held absolute power despite holding plebiscites.

Napoleon's Reforms

1. Class System/Society:
   • Nobles who fled France could return if they swore loyalty.
   • Peasants kept their lands.
   • New nobility established based on meritocracy.
2. Economy: Controlled prices, fostered industrial growth, and strengthened the nation's infrastructure.
3. Government: Strengthened the national government and established an efficient bureaucracy.
4. Laws: Instituted equality before the law, religious tolerance, and the end of feudalism. However, women

The Causes of World War II

The Second World War was a vast conflict fought in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. It was a conflict between the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy and Japan, and the Allied powers that included Britain, the USSR, France and (from 1941) the United States.

• The impact of World War I: the peace treaties: Germany lost territory, and its economy was damaged by the need to pay war reparations.

• The rise of fascism and nationalism: many people feared that there would be a communist revolution in their own countries, people considered that fascism and extreme nationalism were the most effective way to combat communism.

• The weakness of democracies: democracies like Britain and France wanted to avoid a new war at any

Chapter 1: Buck's Life Changes

The story introduces the main character, Buck, a four-year-old dog living the comfortable life of an aristocrat on Judge Miller's estate in California. His life changes drastically when Manuel, an assistant gardener struggling with gambling debts, kidnaps and sells him. Buck endures cruel treatment and painful nights, learning the harsh "law of club" from men with cudgels. He is eventually sold to two French-Canadians, Francois and Perrault, who work as dispatchers in the North.

Chapter 2: Learning the Law of Fang

In the harsh Northland, Buck learns another vital rule: the "law of fang", essential for survival among the other sled dogs. He begins to adapt, shedding his civilized ways for the brutal realities of life... Continue reading "The Call of the Wild: Buck's Transformation Summary" »

The Great Depression: Causes, Crash, and Recovery

Causes of the Great Depression

After World War I, the USA emerged as the world's leading economic power. However, underlying issues soon led to a severe economic downturn.

The Roaring Twenties

This period was characterized by significant economic prosperity in the USA, marked by:

• Consumerism: A burgeoning consumer society with widespread adoption of household appliances, automobiles, and new fashion trends.
• Urban Growth: Rapid expansion of cities, symbolized by the construction of skyscrapers.
• Modern Culture: The rise of cinema, the Jazz Age, Swing dance, Art Deco, and evolving fashion.

Stock Market Bubble

Fueled by rising consumption, workers began buying on credit. Businessmen borrowed heavily from... Continue reading "America's Economic Collapse: The Great Depression Era" »

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

• This war provided Great Britain enormous territorial gains in North America.
• Disputes over subsequent frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent and the American Revolution.

Key Figures in the American Revolution

George Washington

• Virginia plantation owner
• 1st President of the United States
• Served as a general and commander-in-chief of colonial armies during the American Revolutionary War.

Continental Army (aka the Revolutionary War Army)

• Led by George Washington
• Authorized by the Continental Congress

John Adams

• 1st Vice President, 2nd President of the USA
• Major figure of the American Revolution, shaping of the Constitution
• Drafting of the Declaration of Independence

Samuel Adams (Revolutionary