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

Russia and the Soviet Union's Path to Reform

After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States engaged in a Cold War, trying to increase their worldwide influence. The Soviet Union extended over Eastern Europe, establishing permanent Communism. However, big changes and reforms were on the horizon.

Gorbachev Moves Toward Democracy

• Brezhnev and the Politburo (the ruling committee of the Communist Party) crushed all political disagreement and also restricted freedom of speech and worship.
• After Brezhnev's death in 1982, his two successors died after only about a year in office. Therefore, the Politburo debated between two men. One was Mikhail Gorbachev, who finally became the party’s new general secretary.
• The Politburo did not realize that

Adolf Hitler and the Emergence of the Nazi Party

• Adolf Hitler was a demobilized soldier from the First World War. He could not accept Germany’s defeat and in 1920, he joined the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), also known as the Nazi Party, and quickly emerged as its leader.
• The Nazi Party adopted a red flag with the swastika as its emblem and established paramilitary groups: the *Sturmabteilung* (SA), known as assault troops, and the *Schutzstaffel* (SS), or Protection Squadron.
• Hitler’s ideology was articulated in his book *Mein Kampf* ('My Struggle'), where he expressed profound contempt for parliamentary democracy and intense hatred of Bolshevism. He also advocated for antisemitism, the perceived superiority of the Aryan

Humanism (15th and 16th Centuries)

The philosophy which introduced modern times by shifting from the Church-centered preoccupation of the Middle Ages to focus on the needs and aspirations of the individual. Instead of worrying about the afterlife, people concentrated on the here and now.

Johannes Gutenberg (1450)

He was the German goldsmith who developed movable type and the printing press. Printing led to a communications revolution and encouraged individualistic thinking and initiative, which became the cornerstone of today’s capitalist system.

Martin Luther (1520)

The German friar whose attempts to reform the Church led to the Protestant Reformation. His work resulted in a century of religious warfare, a permanent split within the faith, and... Continue reading "Shaping the Modern World: Key Historical Milestones" »

The Inkhorn Controversy

The Opposition

The wholesale borrowing of words from other languages did not meet with universal favor. The strangeness of the new words was an objection to some people. Some considered the use of learned words mere pedantry and tried to drive them out by ridicule, calling them “inkhorn” terms. Sir Thomas Chaloner is an example.

The strongest objection to the new words was on the score of their obscurity. The great exponent of this view was Thomas Wilson, whose Arte of Rhetorique (1553) was several times reprinted. Of the forty-five such terms he cited, thirty are not found before the 16th century, and the remaining fifteen were of such infrequent occurrence as to be considered by him inkhorn terms. It is notable that... Continue reading "The Inkhorn Controversy: Shaping the English Language" »

November 30, 2023

World War II Begins

Causes of World War II

1. The Treaty of Versailles
2. Rise of Totalitarianism
3. Adolf Hitler's Actions
4. Failure of the League of Nations

1938: The Munich Conference

• Adolf Hitler hosted Italy, France, and Britain.
• He demanded the rest of Czechoslovakia.
• British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appeased Hitler.

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

• Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin signed a 10-year non-aggression agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union.

The Spark of World War II

• On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland.
• On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war.

Canada's Decision to Enter the War

• William Lyon Mackenzie King waited one week, declaring war on September 10th.
• This demonstrated Canada's growing autonomy

Causes of the French Revolution

1. Taxation System: The complex system of administration and taxation prevented the government from raising necessary funds and limited the influence of the Third Estate.
2. American War: France's involvement in the American War of Independence, while resulting in victory against Britain, led to a financial crisis due to the high cost of fighting overseas. This economic strain contributed to the French Revolution.
3. Price Increases: Crop failures and harsh winters resulted in food shortages and price increases, impacting peasants and the urban poor. The rising cost of living, coupled with a financial crisis, led to increased unemployment and social unrest.

The Beginning of the Revolution (1789)

The privileged classes resisted... Continue reading "The French Revolution: Causes, Phases, and Key Events" »

Rome was located in the center of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (good for expansion) and protected by mountains in the north. It was founded by twin brothers: Romulus and Remus in 753 BCE. It was a fusion between Etruscan and native Roman elements. The Roman Republic was a system of government ruled by elected representatives. The Roman Empire conquered the Mediterranean, after fighting three wars: Punic Wars. The decline and fall of the Roman Empire took place between 133-31 BCE. During the Age of Augustus (31-14 BCE) there were provincial reforms, uniform imperial policy was established, and the frontiers were stabilized. There were five good emperors who followed the Pax Romana. The crisis in the third century was caused by military anarchy,... Continue reading "Ancient Rome and Greece: History, Culture, and Legacy" »

Yehoshua and the Gibeonites

All the kings in Israel, all of what Hashem did for Bnei Yisrael.

Seven Nations: Hitti, Emori, Canaani, Perizi, and Gergashi. The Gergashi moved to North Africa.

The nations had a choice. Yehoshua sent a letter stating that they could either leave, stay and fight, or make peace. The Gergashi left; everyone else fought.

All nations united to fight against Bnei Yisrael.

The Hivi (Gibeonites) heard all of what Yehoshua did to Yericho and Ai. They were scared.

Be'arma (with trickery), the Gibeonites dressed up as foreigners. Their shoes were torn and ripped, their bread was dry and moldy, and their clothing was patchy. Vayashu Gam Hema.

The Gibeonite people came to Yehoshua, dressed up, and Yehoshua asked them to make a treaty... Continue reading "Yehoshua and the Gibeonites: A Pact Forged" »

Six Notable Figures: A Glimpse into Their Lives

This document highlights the lives and achievements of six renowned individuals.

Michelle Pfeiffer: Acclaimed Actress and Singer

Michelle Pfeiffer is an American actress and singer. She made her film debut in 1980 in The Hollywood Knights. She has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for her performances. During her career, Pfeiffer has won numerous awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Nelson Mandela: Anti-Apartheid Leader and President

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He died at the age of 95 on 5 December 2013. He was imprisoned for being against... Continue reading "Profiles of Six Influential Global Figures" »

The Restoration of Absolutism: The countries that defeated Napoleon met at the Congress of Vienna.

Ideas: Restoring absolutism with legitimism in France and Spain to stop liberalism and nationalism. Balance of powers between European countries. The Holy Alliance Treaty with Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and the Quadruple Alliance with the previous countries plus Britain.

Revolutions in 1830: Nationalism and liberalism became popular. The revolution started in France where Charles, an absolute monarch, was replaced by Louis Philippe of Orleans as a constitutional monarch.

The Spring of Nations: The unification of Italy and Germany, and the independence of the Russian, Ottoman, and Austrian empires. There were revolts, the most important ones in... Continue reading "The Restoration of Absolutism and the Rise of Nationalism: Congress of Vienna and Revolutions in Europe" »