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

The Geography of Rome and Italy

Rome was born in the heart of the agricultural plain of Latium, by the Tiber River and on the hillsides of the seven hills comprising its strategic location.

Geographical Features

• The Mountains

  The Italian Peninsula occupies the center of the Mediterranean. We know it as "the Boot." It is crossed by the Apennines, a mountain range which runs centrally between its two coasts. To the north, Italy is blocked by the Alps. When the Romans went through them, the course of history and the Mediterranean changed.

• The Seas and Islands

  Three seas bathe Italy: the Adriatic, the Tyrrhenian, and the Ionian. Notable islands include Sicily, Sardinia, and smaller islands like Elba and Capri.

• The Rivers

  • a) In the north: the Po
  • b) The Arno,

21 JULY 1876 LAW

The text we have this time is a letter in which several articles from a legal law are kept. It deals with the matter of eliminating the Basque Fueros. It was written by the Spanish Courts and the king in force Alphonse XII in 1876, after the end of the 3^rd Carlist War.

In the 1^st Carlist War, Basque people supported Carlists in order to maintain the Fueros. As Carlists were defeated, some reforms were made in those Fueros. After the Glorious Revolution, in 1868, Isabella II (the Queen) was expelled from the throne and instead, Amadeo of Savoy. In that moment, a conflict started because some liberals appeared in favor of Carlism, not to lose the fueros. So again, as in the 1^st Carlist War, the conflict was between liberals and... Continue reading "The 1876 Law: Elimination of Basque Fueros" »

Many historians claim that the Treaty of Versailles was a failure because it ultimately led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, World War II, and the Holocaust. But the big question is, why did the Treaty of Versailles fail? History claims that the Treaty failed as it brewed resentment amongst the Germans and also did not help in satisfying the Americans, French, and the British.

Germany's Punishment After World War I

Germany was seen as the country that led to World War I. Hence, the Allies decided to make the country sign a harsh and stringent treaty. This treaty forced Germany to concede its territories to other nations like Poland, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia and return the French land that was annexed during the Franco-Prussian War. Germany even... Continue reading "Treaty of Versailles: Causes of Failure and Impact on WWII" »

My name isSimón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios, better known historically as Simón Bolívar, even though my admirers prefer to name me also because of my title of Liberator, obtained after fighting more than twenty years for the independence of the South American countries and the conformation of Gran Colombia.

I was born on July 24, 1783, in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, even though some theses mention the possibility that my birth actually took place at my parents' farm in San Mateo, a town located a few hours from the capital. In this way, I became the third child of the spouses Juan Vicente Bolívar and Ponte-Andrade and María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco . However, fate wanted me to remain an... Continue reading "Spanish provinces" »

The Master of Renaissance Architecture

Andrea Palladio is considered one of the most influential architects of all time, especially in the realm of Renaissance architecture. He incorporated Vitruvian ideologies in his work and was heavily influenced by Greek and Roman architecture. His influence spread through his unique buildings and published writings. By combining traditional architectural styles with his own innovations, he created a distinct style that is conveyed through both his writings and buildings and is still referenced in modern architecture.

The Four Books of Architecture

Palladio's book, I quattro libri dell'architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), publicized his system of building to architects across Europe. He emphasized... Continue reading "The Enduring Legacy of Andrea Palladio's Architecture" »

Government

• The pharaohs had viziers.

• Almost every pharaoh was a man.

• When a pharaoh died, his son or wife would sometimes become the next pharaoh.

• The pharaoh was the king and was considered a god.

• They had a dynasty, meaning there was a series of rulers from the same family.

• Menes was the first king to unite Upper and Lower Egypt.

Innovation

• Egypt prospered under effective pharaohs.

• The pharaohs used their enormous wealth and power to build pyramids.

• The pyramids represented the Egyptian belief that life is a passageway to the afterlife, an existence believed to follow death.

• The pyramids took many years to build.

• The first pyramid built was Khufu.

• The pyramids were built in the Old Kingdom.

Vulnerability

• The Hyksos came to live in Egypt and brought an end

What was the social structure of cities? As during all the Middle Ages, there were big differences among the population.

The Upper Classes

The upper classes were formed by two groups.

• The upper nobility continued having their privileges, and some moved to the cities and lived in palaces.
• A new social class emerged: the wealthy bourgeoisie. These were the rich merchants, bankers and leaders of the important guilds. This group normally formed the city government.

The Lower Classes

The lower classes were formed by the rest of the population.

• The commoners formed the majority. There were small craftsmen, merchants and servants. They lived modestly.
• The lower nobility also belonged to this group. As they didn't work and didn't possess any land, they were

New Global Geopolitics: The World Divided into Blocs

The Formation of the Blocs

As of 1947, the United States and the USSR became adversaries because they adopted radically different political and economic systems. They formed two blocs of countries.

Capitalist Bloc (USA)

Included the countries of Western Europe and Japan, with common features like parliamentary democracy and a capitalist economy. This bloc was strengthened by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Communist Bloc (USSR)

Included the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (occupied after World War I). These countries subordinated freedoms and individual rights to the state's interests and a planned economy. The bloc was reinforced by a military alliance (the Warsaw Pact).... Continue reading "The Cold War: A Geopolitical Division of the World" »

UNIT 8: THE COLD WAR AND THE PROCESS OF DECOLONISATION

1.1. THE WORLD AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR

After World War II, two victorious world powers emerged: the USA and the USSR. They became adversaries because they had different political, economic, and social systems. Each power looked for allies in the rest of the world and attempted to influence foreign governments. Two opposed blocs emerged: USA insisted on the expulsion of the communists from Western Europe, while USSR looked to establish communist governments in Eastern and Central Europe.

1.2. THE CONTROL OF THE BLOCS

In 1947, the American president, Harry S. Truman denounced the imposition of communist regimes in Eastern and Central Europe, offered economic and military aid to the countries... Continue reading "The Cold War and Decolonization: USA, USSR, and Capitalism" »

Text 9 Librecambism and protectionism

This text Is a transcription of a speech given by the speaker Federico Etxebarria, a Basque (). Its aim is to complain about a possible trade treaty between Spain And Germany, which will allowed German iron to be sold in the country. It is a First level text dated on the late 19^th century, in 1893.

This Speech was given during the period of Restoration System, implied after the Intention, in 1874, of creating a republic in the country. The country was at This period run by the 1876 Constitution and where the two dynastic parties, The conservatives of Cánovas and the liberals of Sagasta took it in terms to Govern. Rigging elections enable this situation. Economicwise, Spain was not Very developed. Agriculture... Continue reading "The Impact of Protectionism on 19th Century Spain: A Basque Perspective" »