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

Mao Zedong's Social Policies

Mao Zedong implemented a series of social policies aimed at transforming Chinese society. These policies included:

1. Organic Law: Served as the constitution until 1954, establishing a coalition government.
2. Mass Line: Involved CCP officials working closely with the people.
3. Continuous Revolution & Rectification: Encouraged criticism and self-criticism to shape people's thoughts.
4. Hundred Flowers Campaign (1957): Initially removed censorship for six weeks but ended in purges of intellectuals and opposition during the Anti-Rightist Campaign.
5. Thought Reform Movement (1951): Focused on arts, documents, and literature.
6. Land Reforms: Aimed to remove the bourgeois class.
7. Organizations: Established groups like the National Women'

Marxism and Anarchism: Revolutionary Ideologies of the 19th Century

Revolutionary ideologies emerged in the 19th century. These ideologies promoted working-class interests and aimed to transform society through a workers' revolution. The most important of these were Marxism and Anarchism.

Marxism

Marxism is a socialist ideology developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels based on their analysis of politics and the economy. It advocates for the destruction of capitalism and the establishment of a communist society. Key concepts include:

• Class struggle: The oppressed proletariat would organize themselves and struggle against their oppressors, the capitalist bourgeoisie. Their objective would be to gain political power.
• The dictatorship of the working

FIRST WORLD WAR (1914-1918)

It was fought by various European countries and their African and Asian colonies, the United States, Japan, China, and some Latin American republics.

Causes of the war

Control of the Balkans: The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russian Empire competed for the control of the Balkans. Also, Serbia was angry about the expansion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire into the area. This led to a crisis. Control of some colonies: France wanted to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine. France and Germany also competed for control of colonies, important for economic expansion, especially Morocco. Great Britain supremacy of its merchant navy threatened: When the German empire, which had become an economic power during the Second Industrial... Continue reading "Causes, Phases, and Consequences of the First World War" »

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and Leviathan (1651)

Context

To understand the reasons behind Hobbes' actions and way of thinking, it is essential to first know the context in which he grew up. This context reveals the great instability that existed in England at the time, particularly the English Civil War (1642-1649).

Charles I and the Road to War

Charles I (1625-1649) became increasingly estranged from his people. He waged war against both France and Spain, faced conflicts with Parliament, and created significant religious divisions within the country.

Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army

Oliver Cromwell emerged as a powerful figure, ruling as a dictator. He reformed the army based on merit, with the clear objective of creating an efficient fighting... Continue reading "Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan: Impact of the English Civil War" »

The Reign of Fernando VII and Isabel II (1820-1868)

Fernando VII: Absolutism and Liberalism

The Trienio Liberal (1820-1823)

• In 1820, troops under Lieutenant Colonel Riego revolted against Fernando VII and restored the Constitution of 1812.
• This period marked the start of the Trienio Liberal, characterized by conflict between moderate liberals and radical liberals (or Exaltados).
• In 1823, Spanish volunteers, known as the Cien Mil Hijos de San Luis, invaded Spain and restored the absolutist throne.

The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

The restoration of absolutism marked the start of the Década Ominosa.

The Succession Crisis and the First Carlist War

Fernando VII died in 1833. The succession was determined by the Pragmática Sanción, which replaced the Salic... Continue reading "Spain's 19th Century: Liberalism, Carlist Wars, and Latin American Independence" »

The Weimar Republic and Early Nazism

After World War I, elections for a constituent assembly were held in Germany. The assembly passed a constitution, and Germany became a democratic republic known as the Weimar Republic. From its inception, the new republic faced significant opposition from extremist groups, particularly from the extreme right, who felt betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) emerged as the most prominent leader of this extreme right. He reorganized the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP), commonly known as the Nazi Party, and established a paramilitary wing, the Assault Division (SA). As the leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler orchestrated a failed coup attempt,... Continue reading "The Rise of Nazism and Hitler's Dictatorship in Germany" »

Thomas Hobbes: Life and Intellectual Journey

Thomas Hobbes was not an aristocrat. His father was an Anglican priest, which explains why he could have children. This background placed him within the bourgeoisie. Priests, much like modern civil servants, lawyers, or doctors, earned their living through merit, such as the ability to read and interpret texts.

He studied the standard curriculum at Oxford: law, arithmetic, and grammar. However, he always maintained a keen interest in medicine. Hobbes relied on the aristocratic Cavendish family, who financed his studies. This was a common practice among the aristocracy – supporting clever bourgeois individuals in a rapidly changing world. The Cavendish family facilitated Hobbes's access to power,... Continue reading "Thomas Hobbes & Leviathan: State, Power, and Society" »

FRANKS: after the fall of  W.R.E (476) the franks assumed the power in north gaul. The first frankish king was clovis, an impressive military commander from the merovingian dynasty.

507: Clovis expelled the visigoths from southern gaul b. Of vouille who moved south of the pyrenees. 

THe merovingian left government affairs in the hands of the mayors of the palace ; who became the real power.

732: the mayor of the palace charles mantel (Charlemagne´s grandfather) defeated the muslims at the battle of poitiersforcing them to retreat to the iberian peninsula. This victory reinforced the power of the mayors of the palace (who were ancestors of Charlemagne).

751: Charles 

W.B. Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival

W.B. Yeats was an Irish poet whose work often referenced Maud Gonne, an Irish patriot and revolutionary woman. During the early part of his career, he devoted himself to the Irish Literary Revival and Irish patriotism, seeking to develop a new religious iconography based on Irish mythology. He rose to literary prominence and helped to found the Abbey Theatre.

In 1923, Yeats reached the height of his poetic power between the ages of 50 and 70. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. The Waterboys, a popular band, adopted 14 of Yeats' poems for their album "An Appointment with Mr. Yeats." Mike Scott, the band's lead singer, described Yeats' verses as "a gift for any songwriter.... Continue reading "Literature, Architecture, and Libraries: Intertwined Worlds" »

The Contemporary Age: A Historical Period

It started in 1789 with the French Revolution. It still continues nowadays.

We will divide the Contemporary Age in two parts to understand better the changes that happened during this stage of history: the 19th century and the 20th and 21st centuries.

The World in the 19th Century

The main events that happened in the 19th century in the world were:

• The French Revolution, which led to a new form of government called liberalism.
• The Industrial Revolution, which is the name given to the technical and economic changes that happened during this century.
• The changes in society that the two previous events caused: the creation of two new social classes: middle class and workers.

Spain in the 19th Century

The main events... Continue reading "The Contemporary Age: 19th Century Transformations" »