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

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" »

Regions and Peoples

Flanders

A Dutch-speaking area in the north of Belgium, and one of the three Belgian regions.

Brotherhood

The belief that people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in nationality, creed, or ethnicity.

Moriscos

Former Mudéjars (Muslims under Christian rule) who converted to Christianity.

Historical Events and Treaties

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty between Charles V and the forces of Lutheran princes on September 22, 1555.

Revolt of the Comuneros

An uprising in Castile from 1520 to 1521, where comuneros (participants) rebelled against the rule of Charles V.

Political and Economic Systems

Council of the Indies

The name given to two separate bodies associated with British rule in India at different... Continue reading "Glossary of Historical Terms: Spain and the Americas" »

Leninism and the Bolshevik Revolution

Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks opposed the international war, believing in transforming it into a revolutionary war within their own country. By 1920, the economy and the support of the peasantry were in jeopardy, and millions of people had perished from disease and malnutrition.

Lenin's Interpretation of Marxism

Marxists typically viewed the urban working class as the driving force for socialist revolution and were somewhat indifferent to the peasantry. Lenin, however, recognized that a revolution in Russia could only succeed with the alliance of the peasantry, as they constituted the majority of the population. He also introduced his concept of a vanguard party, composed of revolutionaries waging a class... Continue reading "Leninism vs. Marxism: Bolshevik Revolution Impact" »

The Mayflower Compact: A Foundation for Self-Governance

The Mayflower Compact, drafted in 1620, stands as the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was created by the male passengers of the Mayflower, a group composed of religious Separatists seeking freedom from persecution and individuals seeking economic opportunity. Facing unforeseen circumstances that landed them outside their intended Virginia territory, the Pilgrims established this compact to ensure order and survival.

Key Features of the Mayflower Compact:

• Majoritarian Model: The compact established a system of self-governance based on majority rule, although it excluded women and children from voting.
• Social Contract: The settlers agreed to abide by the compact's rules and regulations

Causes of Colonialism

Demography

• Population growth (Emigration; America, Africa, Australia).
• Economy

Economic

• Search for new markets: to get raw materials/to sell manufactured products.
• Thanks to the transport revolution (steam ships).

Politics

• Developed countries looked for dominance (expansionist policies).

The Berlin Conference

Before 1885, one powerful country could occupy new territory and simply say "this belongs to us now!".

After 1884, countries had to agree to the principle of "effective occupation". This meant that they had to administer the country, not just possess it. Africa was divided up mainly between Great Britain and France. This was supposed to reduce the possibilities of conflict over colonial territories. Holding the conference in... Continue reading "Colonialism, WWI, and Their Consequences: A Global Perspective" »

Guilds

The guilds were associations of artisans with the same trade. At the top were teachers, then officers, and finally apprentices with rules about working conditions. Artisans belonging to a guild lived on the same street.

Migration

Peasants migrated to cities due to an increase in rural population, leading to city growth. Cities became important as many peasants emigrated, recovering commercial importance and increasing food supply.

Main Causes in the Crisis

Feudal Europe faced problems in the 14th century, with peasants rebelling against lords, urban poor against oligarchy, and massive revolts due to the Black Death.

Religious Crisis

Within Catholicism, the Western Schism occurred, leading to a period of rupture with two popes.

Political Crisis

The... Continue reading "Guilds, Migration, and Crisis in Medieval Europe" »