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

The Treaty of Versailles and German Restrictions

One of the primary points of the Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany from maintaining an army strong enough to initiate another war. The treaty strictly controlled the number of soldiers allowed, the types of weapons permitted, and explicitly prohibited the unification of Germany and Austria.

The Failure of Lasting Peace

While intended to maintain lasting peace in Europe, the treaty was ultimately unsuccessful. The conditions were so harsh that they provoked a nationalist desire for revenge among the German population. This sentiment, fueled by poverty and the economic crisis following the 1929 stock market crash, facilitated the rise of Nazism and the eventual outbreak of World War II.

Was Germany

The Election of 1960

JFK was an expert at public speaking; he projected the image of the most self-confident leader. Television was one of his most effective weapons, and through it, the Kennedy/Camelot myth was born.

A New Era Inaugurated

In his address, we observe not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning—signifying renewal, as well as change.

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has

INDEPENDENCE, CONSTITUTION, BILL OF RIGHTS

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ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE

WHY INDEPENDENCE? Two main ideological roots that are opposed:

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" »

Imperialism: The need of European states to obtain raw materials and new markets for their industrial production.

Imperialism and the Berlin Conference

The immediate consequence of the Berlin Conference was the acceleration of the race to gain positions on the African continent. The way that the Europeans divided up African territory had consequences that still remain. The different metropoles drew completely artificial borders in Africa, without taking into account the present cultures or the existing indigenous regions. Thus, 50 new countries were created without giving them any type of racial or cultural cohesion. In the long run, the coexistence of traditionally warring peoples within these artificial borders has led to serious confrontations,... Continue reading "Imperialism to Cold War: Key 20th Century Impacts" »

Three Periods of the French Revolution

1. The Constitutional Monarchy

National Assembly

Louis XVI resisted a written constitution and used weapons against the National Assembly, reaching Paris on July 14, 1789.

Uprising in Paris

• Parisians organized their government, calling it the Commune.
• Nobles were attacked, feudal dues and existing taxes were destroyed.
• Many nobles fled, and Louis XVI was forced to adopt the new flag of France.

Changes by the National Assembly

• Abolishment of guilds.
• Abolition of special privileges.
• Constitution of 1791.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man.
• Equality before the law for men.
• Reforms in the logical government structure.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

This declaration guaranteed:

• Freedom of religion and speech.
• Freedom of the

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