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

The Muslim World

Recent Armed Conflicts

The Gulf War (1990-1991)

• The Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. An international coalition led by the USA under UN mandate liberated Kuwait. It imposed an embargo on Iraqi oil.

The Invasion of Afghanistan (2001)

• Consequence of the attack on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, organized by Al-Qaeda.
• Al-Qaeda was based in Afghanistan and supported by the Taliban government.
• A coalition of troops from the US and allied countries overthrew the Taliban regime.
• A provisional government was established in its place.

The Invasion of Iraq (2003)

• There was a fear that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (threat to world peace).
• The USA, the UK, and other allied countries, including Spain, overthrew

Cubism

Dadaism

The Rise of Liberalism in Spain

Following the death of Ferdinand VII, a succession crisis ignited a civil war. Carlos María Isidro, the brother of Ferdinand, claimed the throne with the support of absolutists. Conversely, Isabella, Ferdinand’s daughter, was the legitimate heir. She secured the support of the liberals on the condition that she would establish a liberal regime upon victory. She ultimately prevailed, leading to the formal establishment of liberalism in Spain.

Key Historical Definitions

• José Bonaparte: French statesman, lawyer, and diplomat; older brother of Napoleon. He served as King of Spain during the War of Independence but was defeated by Ferdinand VII’s forces.
• Cortes de Cádiz (1810–1814): A constituent assembly held

The short story “The Force of Circumstances” symbolizes the British imperialism.

1. The Rise of Neoclassicism

After the French Revolution in 1789, Europe was overtaken by liberal and national movements. What architectural movement was in style at that time that highlighted the use of Greek and Roman forms without overt ornamentation?

c. Neo-Classical

2. Innovations in Reinforced Concrete

In Europe, there were great technical developments in reinforced concrete construction as advanced by Joseph Monier in 1877. Who was the man that substituted steel for iron in reinforced concrete construction and developed the hooked connections for reinforcing bars?

c. Francois Hennebique

3. Principles of Traditional Town Design

Which of the following statements is true about traditional town design?

a. There is a variety of dwelling types within... Continue reading "A History of Architecture: From Neoclassicism to Modernism" »

The Conservative Period (1933-1936)

The Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas (CEDA) won the elections and formed a government in coalition with Lerroux and his party, Partido Radical de Centro.

In 1934, members of the CEDA entered the government, and protests escalated into the October Revolution of 1934.

In Asturias, miners initiated a rebellion. The revolt was suppressed by the army, which deployed Moroccan troops led by Franco to control the situation.

In Barcelona, the autonomous government proclaimed a Catalan Republic separate from the Spanish Republic. The Statute of Autonomy was abolished, and the Generalitat was dissolved.

New elections were held in 1936. The Frente Popular (left-wing parties) won.

The Popular Front (February-

Victoriano Huerta and the Mexican Revolution

Victoriano Huerta (born December 23, 1854, Colotlán, Mexico—died January 13, 1916, El Paso, Texas, U.S.) was the dictatorial president of Mexico from February 18, 1913, to July 15, 1914. His repressive regime inadvertently united disparate revolutionary forces in common opposition to him.

Rise to Power and the Coup

Born of Indian parents, Huerta trained at the Chapultepec Military College and eventually rose to the rank of general in the army during the rule of the dictator Porfirio Díaz. Though an admirer of Díaz, Huerta served his successor, the liberal president Francisco Madero, as chief of staff of the army.

When part of the army in Mexico City rebelled against Madero in February 1913, Huerta... Continue reading "Victoriano Huerta's Dictatorship and Women's Participation in the Mexican Revolution" »

Sabino Arana's Early Basque Nationalism

The text we analyze is a primary source. Regarding its form, it comprises the founding statutes of a nationalist social center, the first Batzoki of Bizkaia, making it a historical document. Its content addresses social, political, and cultural subjects. The author is Sabino Arana, often called the Father of Basque Nationalism. Intended for nationalists in Bilbao and, more broadly, throughout Bizkaia, the objective was to establish the rules of the first nationalist organization and summarize the main ideological tenets of its founder. This significant text was published in 1894 in Bilbao, the capital of Bizkaia.

Statutes of Euskaldunen Batzokija: Core Principles

The statutes of Euskaldunen Batzokija are... Continue reading "Sabino Arana's Vision: Founding Basque Nationalism in Bizkaia" »

A Disciplined Society

Spartans valued military discipline. Even today, the word Spartan means highly disciplined or lacking comfort. Unlike Athenians, Spartans did not value luxury goods or beautiful buildings.

Education in Sparta

With Helots working the fields, Spartan males had plenty of time to train for military service. At seven, they were taken away from their homes for schooling at state expense. They lived together in BARRACKS: military houses. Spartan boys did not receive a well-rounded education. They spent most of their time exercising, hunting, and training with weapons. They were taught to obey orders automatically rather than to think for themselves. At the age of 18, young men began a 2-year program of military training to become... Continue reading "Spartan Society: Military Discipline, Education, and Roles" »