Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of History

The Cold War: An Overview

The Rise of Two Power Blocs

The Second World War dramatically reshaped global politics. In 1945, the Allied forces, led by the US, Soviet Union, Britain, and France, defeated the Axis powers. This victory led to the emergence of two dominant powers: the US and the USSR. These powers gradually formed two opposing blocs: the Western camp, led by the US, and the Eastern camp, led by the USSR. For the first time, global politics became organized along ideological lines, with the US representing liberal democracy and the USSR championing socialism and communism.

A New Kind of Warfare

The Cold War differed from previous wars because it lacked direct military conflict between the US and the USSR. Instead, it was an ideological... Continue reading "The Cold War: Origins, Ideologies, and Global Impact" »

Ancient Greece: Geography and its Influence

The modern countries which formed part of Hellas are: Macedonia, Albania, Greece, and Turkey.

The seas that surround Greek territory are the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Aegean.

The natural environment significantly influenced Greek history. Most of the land was dry and rocky, resulting in limited agriculture. The Greeks obtained much of their food from the Mediterranean Sea. They became expert sailors and crossed the sea for trade.

Why Ancient Greece Wasn't a Unified Country

Ancient Greece did not become a single country because of its physical relief:

• Mountains divided mainland Greece into small valleys.
• Islands were separated from each other by the sea.
• Each valley or island functioned like a small, independent

Forms of Government

Constitutional Monarchy

The highest authority of the state is a king or a queen, usually hereditary. The monarch’s power is limited by the Constitution and the law. The king or queen has little authority if the government is in the hands of a president.

Republic

The head of state is an elected president who changes periodically through elections. It is mainly a representation post, representing the country in public ceremonies, but with little or no real power.

Autocracy/Despotism

This is government by a single person who has unlimited power. Citizens have no say in the government.

Absolute Monarchy

The highest authority of the state is a king or a queen, usually hereditary. The king or queen has absolute power, and citizens have... Continue reading "Forms of Government: Monarchies, Republics, and More" »

Beowulf Character List

(with alternate spellings)

• ❖ Beowulf - the epic hero; the ideal warrior. He is originally a thane, but later becomes a feudal lord and king of the Geats.
• ❖ Grendel - the huge monster who terrorizes Herot, the mead hall of King Hrothgar. He cannot be destroyed by the weapons of men, but Beowulf kills him with his bare hands.
• ❖ Grendel’s mother (also known as the troll wife and Grendel’s dam) - She wants to avenge her son’s death, so she attacks the mead hall.
• ❖ Dragon - A fire-breathing, snake-like monster who ultimately kills Beowulf, but not before it meets its own death.
• ❖ Hrothgar - king of the Danes; He is a wise and generous ruler, but is too old to protect his people from the attack of Grendel.
• ❖ Unferth

1. Relaxing in Spain

I) Part 1

II) F 1

III) Junk

IV) c

2. Instagram Trends

I) Part 1

II) F 1

III) Encourages

IV) b

3. Jobless Women in Spain

I) Part 1

II) F1

III) Set Up

IV) c

4. Transforming Education

I) Part 1

II) T2

III) Available

IV) a

5. Research Ship Trapped

I) Part 2

II) F2

III) Actually

IV) c

6. Rural Americans and Healthcare

I) Part 2

II) T1

III) Prosper

IV) c

7. Cigarette Regulations

I) Part 2

II) F

III) Ban

IV) b

8. Tablets vs. Desktops

I) Part 2

II) F

III) Device

IV) c

9. Social Media in Schools

I) Part 3

II) F

III) Opportunity

IV) b

10. Teenage Life and Experiences

I) Part 3

II) F

III) Transition

IV) c

Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism

In Germany, Italy, and the USSR, authoritarian dictatorships came to power. In these regimes, power was concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and one ruling political party. In some cases, these evolved into totalitarian regimes.

Factors Contributing to the Rise of Authoritarianism

• The First World War had established habits of military organization.
• The war had aroused nationalist feeling.
• The power of the state increased during the crisis of 1929.
• New parties were formed that represented the working mass.

Common Characteristics of Authoritarian Regimes

• Politics: They were anti-democratic governments.
• Foreign policy: They pursued an expansionist foreign policy to gain new territories.
• Economy: The state intervened

Sigma Nu Fraternity: A Comprehensive History

Founders

• Alpha 1: James Frank Hopkins (Born December 30th, 1845, in Ripley, Mississippi)
• Alpha 2: Greenfield Quarles (Born April 1st, 1847, in Helena, Arkansas)
• Alpha 3: James McIlvaine Riley (Born December 16th, 1849, in St. Louis, Missouri)

Key Figures

• Spiritual Founder: Francis H. Smith (Also known as "Specs")
• Keeper of the Rock: Ora Mathias Baldinger
• Author of the Creed: Walter James Sears
• First Legacy: John Carmichael Jr.
• Founder of the Delta Chapter: John Alexander Howard
• Designer of the Coat of Arms: Ellwood H. McClelland

Founding and Milestones

• Spiritual Founding: One starry night by the rock at VMI in October 1868
• Public Founding: January 1st, 1869
• Original Name: The Legion of Honor
• First National Convention:

Causes

• Morocco problem: Conference of Algeciras 1906 and Spanish army suffered 2 humiliating defeats (Barranco del Lobo 1909 and Disaster of Annual 1921)
• Picasso report: Commission was open to investigate who was responsible for the defeat of Annual
• Social crisis: Strikes of workers in Cataluña and peasants in Andalucía due to better work conditions
• Hard repression: Armed groups in Barcelona and Guardia against peasants in Andalusia
• Social war broke out: Prime Minister Eduardo was killed by an anarchist in 1921

Coup d'etat: 1923

Primo de Rivera organized a coup with the consent and support of the king, conservative politicians, and industrial and landowners. Before the coup, he had substituted civil public workers with people from the army. He claimed... Continue reading "Primo de Rivera Dictatorship: Causes, Coup, and Crisis" »

1. German Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles

Why did Germans react with horror to the terms of the treaty?

• They were forced to accept full responsibility for the beginning of the war (War Guilt Clause).
• They were forced to accept paying reparations without knowing the exact amount of money they were going to have to pay (they felt like they were signing a blank check).
• They were forced to disarm and their pride had been damaged.
• They were not invited to negotiate at the Paris Peace Conference, so they signed a diktat.
• They considered the treaty was unfair because the Allies did not disarm and self-determination was not respected with the German people.
• They felt insulted because they were not invited to the League of Nations.
• Their economy was damaged

Fascism vs. Nazism

Fascism and Nazism are often considered to be the same or at least refer to the same ideologies. However, the two are entirely dissimilar from each other. This is despite the fact that they are both totalitarian ideologies, are closely related in design, and both sprung up after the First World War in Europe.

What is Fascism?

Fascism is defined as a form of radical authoritarian, strict, and controlling ultra-nationalism that is usually characterized by forcibly suppressing an opposition front, assuming dictatorial powers, and strongly regimenting the society and its economy.

Fascism sprung to popularity around the early 20th century during the time of Benito Mussolini. Benito was the Italian leader by the time the ideology was... Continue reading "Fascism and Nazism: Key Differences and History" »