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

Russian Revolution: The Path to Change

Russia Under Tsarist Rule: Seeds of Discontent

His government was unpopular for several reasons:

• The Tsar held absolute power; there was no parliament. The country's wealth and land were primarily owned by a noble class, and the Church was firmly on the Tsar's side.
• Peasant villages were controlled by the ‘mir’ (local council), which interfered in business and had the power to decide what peasants were allowed to own.
• The growth of industry led to a large working population, but workers faced poor conditions and low wages.
• In 1905, Russia suffered a humiliating defeat by Japan.
• There were widespread strikes and demonstrations, such as Bloody Sunday. Workers marched to the Tsar's Winter Palace asking for better

The French Revolution: Causes and Consequences

Roots of Revolution: Key Causes

• Desire for greater societal representation
• Opposition to the absolutist regime
• Severe economic crisis and widespread food shortages
• Significant chasm between elites and the working class (proletarians)
• Political aspirations of the bourgeoisie
• Monarchy's inability to adapt to political and social demands
• Influence of Enlightenment thought and the American Revolution

Impact and Aftermath: Consequences of the Revolution

• The Napoleonic Wars, reshaping the European map
• Widespread dissemination of revolutionary ideas across Europe
• Establishment of new regimes founded on values such as liberty, fraternity, and equality
• Unfulfilled aspirations for the Third Estate, leading to further

The Restoration (1815-1848)

The Restoration was a return to the political system of the Ancien Régime imposed by the victorious European powers (Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain) after Napoleon's defeat in 1815.

Supporters of the Restoration believed that the monarch was the only person capable of leading a country. Popular sovereignty and constitutions were seen as limitations on the monarchy's power.

Measures Adopted at the Congress of Vienna:

• Absolute monarchies were reinstated.
• Europe's borders were changed.
• European powers agreed to support any monarch threatened by revolution or attempts to limit their power.
• Two European alliances were formed to enforce the agreements:

1. Holy Alliance (Russia, Prussia, and Austria):

The monarchs... Continue reading "The Restoration and Liberal Revolutions" »

Germany

Weimar Republic

Economy

As the chart shows, parliamentary representation of certain groups declined as the Nazis took control of Germany and the country's economy began to deteriorate. However, from 1930, their representation began to increase, and with the establishment of capitalism, the economy improved until it collapsed (we can see a small dip in November 1932) and then recovered.

Key Events

Reichstag Fire

An arson attack on the Reichstag building on February 27, 1933, which resulted in the German parliament building burning down.

Night of the Long Knives

The night between June 30 and July 1, 1934, when Adolf Hitler, Gregor Strasser, Ernst Röhm, and Herman Göring were victims of a purge.

Night of Broken Glass

The night between November... Continue reading "20th Century European History Overview" »

31. The ____ Amendment made slavery unconstitutional and illegal.

-13^th amendment        

32. The _____ Amendment stated that states could not take away the rights of citizens without due process of the law.

-14^th amendment

33. The ____ Amendment allowed all men to vote regardless of race.

-15^th amendment

34. Name several things on which the North and South disagreed after the Civil War

35. What was “the bloodiest battle” of the Civil War?

-Maryland’s battle of Antietam

36. In what battle did the most soldiers die?   

-Battle of Gettysburg

37. Which was the last state to join the Confederacy?

-north carolina

38. What did Civil War soldiers use as early versions of dog tags?

-pinning of their names on their uniforms

39.The prosperity of the... Continue reading "Law 19983 on" »

Estate-Based Society

Society was divided into three estates:

• Nobility: Held significant power.
• Clergy: Possessed less power than the nobility.
• Third Estate: Comprised of the bourgeoisie, city workers, and peasants; they had few rights and paid substantial taxes.

Causes of the War of Spanish Succession

The War of the Spanish Succession stemmed from several causes, primarily the death of Charles II without a direct heir. This led England and Austria to form a Grand Alliance opposing the recognition of Philip V as King of Spain, as they supported Charles of Austria.

Consequences of the War

The primary consequence was the recognition of Philip V as King of Spain. However, Spain and France agreed to remain separate entities. Spain lost territories including... Continue reading "18th Century Spain: Social Structure, War, and Rebellion" »

The Death of General Wolfe

The Death of General Wolfe, a renowned 1770 painting by Anglo-American artist Benjamin West, depicts the death of British General James Wolfe during the 1759 Battle of Quebec in the Seven Years' War. This Neoclassical oil on canvas painting has a nearly identical replica, commissioned by King George III in 1771.

West portrays General Wolfe as a Christ-like figure. The painting's triangular composition, formed by the flag's apex and the men's positions, evokes Michelangelo's La Pietà, where the Virgin Mary embraces Christ.

In the foreground, Wolfe's musket, cartridge box, and bayonet lie on the ground. Wolfe, armed like his men, wears a simple red coat, waistcoat, breeches, and a white shirt—unusually modest attire... Continue reading "The Death of General Wolfe and the Métis" »

Understanding Key Historical Concepts: 18th & 19th Centuries

Ideological Tendencies Among Liberals

Liberalism in the 18th and 19th centuries encompassed diverse ideological tendencies. These included:

• Moderate Liberals: These individuals were typically monarchists who supported an electoral system based on censitary suffrage, meaning voting rights were restricted by property ownership or wealth.
• Radical Liberals: Known in Spain as Exaltados and later as Progresistas, some radical liberals were republicans and democrats. They advocated for universal suffrage, proposing a regime of unlimited freedoms and the suppression of religious intervention in civil life.

The American Civil War and Slavery

The American Civil War (1861-1865) was intrinsically... Continue reading "Key Historical Concepts: 18th & 19th Centuries" »

The Reign of Charles I (1516-1556)

Charles I had to tackle serious domestic and foreign conflicts.

Domestic Conflicts Under Charles I

• The domestic conflicts broke out following his arrival in Spain in 1517, at which time he did not even speak Castilian. He asked for enormous sums of money from the Cortes to finance his election as Holy Roman Emperor, and he also left the government of his Hispanic territories in the hands of Flemish advisors. The two main revolts were that of the Comuneros in Castile (1520-1521); and that of the Brotherhoods in Valencia and Mallorca (1519-1523), which was a confrontation between the urban guilds and the nobility. Both sides revolted against Charles I, as he did not respond to their petitions; they were subjugated

Biscay Mines: Workers' Demands and the End of Quarters

Workers of Biscay mines named a commission to require public authorities to end quarters and compulsory shops. Their reasons included broken promises from bosses regarding the closing down of compulsory shops and quarters taken during the 1890 strike. They also argued that this situation went against the liberal spirit of the century, which favored individual freedom and freedom of work.

The miners threatened to go on strike if the government didn't accept their petitions.

The Restoration System at the End of the Century

At the end of the century, the Restoration system was set up, rooted in the 1876 Constitution. This system presented itself as the only one that could guarantee social peace... Continue reading "Biscay Mines: Workers' Rights, Strikes, and Industrialization" »