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

-First world war: alliances / industrial & technological advances used manufactured weapons / society transformed: men at war, women at work

Economic Liberalism and Chartism

Economic liberalism is a doctrine that proposes favorable development through the free market and minimal state intervention in economic affairs. Proponents wanted the recognition of private property and individual profit.

Chartism was a movement that petitioned Parliament, demanding political reforms, universal manhood suffrage, laws to protect workers' interests, and salaries for Members of Parliament (MPs). It was active from 1838 to 1848.

Population Growth and the Industrial Revolution

Population growth encouraged agricultural and industrial development because there was an increased demand for food and manufactured products. The Agricultural Revolution enabled population growth and industrial development because... Continue reading "Economic Liberalism, Chartism, and Industrial Revolutions" »

Colonization of the New World: Spain, France, and England

Spain's Colonial Ambitions

Spain had three main goals: to spread Christianity, to build a powerful empire, and to acquire wealth. These are often referred to as the "3 G's": God, Gold, and Glory.

• God: Spain sent missionaries to convert the Native Americans to Christianity. They believed that Christianized natives would be more loyal, helping Spain establish authority.
• Gold: Spain sought resources like gold, silver, and other precious metals to exploit for their benefit.
• Glory: Spain aimed to build the strongest empire and dominate the New World.

England's Colonial Expansion

As the English economy weakened and social tensions rose between classes, colonizing the Americas seemed like an escape.... Continue reading "Colonization of the New World: Spain, France, England" »

Primo de Rivera

In 1923 another pronunciamiento took place: General Miguel Primo de Rivera came to power with the consent of the king. Public disorder was rampant, and the system wasn't working. Primo de Rivera had been in Catalonia as Captain General. They thought he could bring calm and peace.

Primo de Rivera wanted to regenerate the system and later he would give the power back again. It did not work. He stayed for longer than promised and became unpopular. He tried to start a political party, the Unión Patriótica.

His dictatorship can be divided into two periods: Military Directory (1923-1925) and Civil Directory (1925-1930). He had great success at the beginning. Along with the French, the Spanish Army defeated the Moroccan rebel Abd-el-... Continue reading "The Second Spanish Republic: From Dictatorship to Civil War" »

The Opening of Japan to Trade in the 19th Century

The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853: On July 8, 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry led his four ships into the harbor at Tokyo Bay, seeking to re-establish, for the first time in over 200 years, regular trade and discourse between Japan and the Western world.

Why Was Commodore Perry Sent to Japan?

Perry, on behalf of the U.S. government, forced Japan to enter into trade with the United States and demanded a treaty permitting trade and the opening of Japanese ports to U.S. merchant ships. The Japanese had no navy with which to defend themselves, and thus they had to agree to the demand.

Italian Unification: Causes and Effects

What Caused the Italian Unification?

Those who stood for... Continue reading "19th-Century Unifications: Japan, Italy, Germany & USA" »

Post-Napoleonic Europe: The Restoration Era

After Napoleon was defeated in the War of Independence of Spain and ultimately in 1815, the Restoration period began. This marked a return to the political system of the Ancien Régime, known as absolutism.

The Quadruple Alliance (Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain) met at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). Key measures adopted included:

• The restoration of absolute monarchs to their thrones.
• A restructuring of the European map.
• An agreement among European monarchs to support any legitimate monarch facing threats.

This return to absolutism, however, provoked resistance and fueled revolutions driven by new ideas:

• Liberalism
• Nationalism
• Democracy

Key Ideologies of the 19th Century

Liberalism was an ideology... Continue reading "Europe After Napoleon: Restoration & Change" »

Roman Expansion and Mediterranean Dominance

As Rome expanded through Italy, it granted its citizen-soldiers land, allowed defeated Latin-speakers to become full citizens, and welcomed defeated soldiers into its army. By 272 B.C.E., Rome had conquered the Italian peninsula. Victory in the Second Punic War gave Rome control of the Western Mediterranean. Rome's defeat of the Macedonians and the Greeks in 133 B.C.E. brought it control of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Rome's Longevity, Transformation, and Decline

Rome's empire persisted for so long because of its rulers’ willingness to adopt new structures, such as the Principate and Diocletian's Tetrarchy. Emperor Constantine strengthened the empire but weakened the city of Rome by establishing a new... Continue reading "The Roman Empire: Expansion, Governance, and Enduring Legacy" »

The Korean War (1950-1953)

Why?

After World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel. North Korea, aiming for reunification under communist rule, invaded the South.

Who?

• North Korea (supported by China and the USSR)
• South Korea (supported by the UN, primarily the USA and Great Britain)

Outcome:

The war ended in a stalemate, with the border remaining largely unchanged. The Korean War is significant as the only Cold War conflict that remains unresolved. North Korea's nuclear ambitions continue to pose a threat today.

The Vietnam War (1954-1975)

Why?

During the decolonization of French Indochina after World War II, Vietnam was divided into communist North Vietnam and capitalist South Vietnam. The possibility of South Vietnam falling to communism... Continue reading "Understanding the Cold War: Key Conflicts and Causes" »

Richard Lovelace: "To Althea, from Prison" (1642)

This celebrated poem, “To Althea, from Prison,” was written in 1642 by Richard Lovelace, a prominent Cavalier poet. The year 1642 marked the beginning of the tumultuous English Civil War, providing a critical context for the poem's creation.

The Reign of Charles I and Political Conflict

The political climate was highly volatile. King Charles I, like all the Stuarts, staunchly believed in the Divine Right of Kings, asserting that the monarch’s power was conferred directly by God and therefore could not be disputed. This belief led to serious conflicts with the Parliament, which sought to control the King’s government, particularly regarding taxation.

Charles I attempted to circumvent parliamentary... Continue reading "Richard Lovelace's "To Althea, from Prison": Cavalier Poetry Context" »