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

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" »

Historical Conflicts and Atrocities

Cambodian Genocide Facts

• Scarf Colors Worn by Cambodians: Red bandana = Communist; Blue = anti-communist.
• Government Goal During Genocide: To establish a communist Utopia.
• Country Removing Perpetrators: The army of Vietnam finally removed the genocidal group from power.

Rwandan Genocide Details

• Ethnic Groups Involved: Hutus and Tutsis.
• Reason for Atrocities: News reports claimed that the Tutsis killed the president.
• Timeline: Occurred between April 7 and July 14, 1994.
• International Criticism: The UN was criticized because they were only present for rescue operations but failed significantly.
• Conclusion: The Rwandan genocide finally ended as the Tutsi rebels were winning.
• Casualties: An estimate of 800,000 people were

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" »

The Transcontinental Railroad

The Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads collaborated to complete the first Transcontinental Railroad between 1863 and 1869. The Union Pacific began construction in Omaha, Nebraska, while the Central Pacific started in Sacramento, California. The two organizations met in Promontory, Utah, in 1869 for the completion of the railroad and the historic Golden Spike Ceremony.

The project aimed to:

• Connect the nation
• Facilitate easier shipping
• Improve the national economy
• Generate significant profit

The Transcontinental Railroad remains significant for successfully tying the nation together, transforming the economic and political landscape, and enabling the United States to emerge as a global power.

Andrew Carnegie: Industrialist

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" »