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

Imperialism and its Impact (1870-1914)

Imperialism is the control exercised by certain powerful states over other territories. In the late 19th century, a new, complex type of imperialism took shape on a much larger scale. This new imperialism reached its height between 1870 and 1914 and was dominated by the industrialized countries (colonial empires).

Types of Colonial Administration

• Colony: Territory dominated entirely by the occupying power. There are two types: settler colonies and exploitation colonies.
• Protectorate: Theoretically, the metropole respected the native government.
• Concession: Administration and occupation of a territory within a state for the purpose of trade.

Causes of Imperialism

• Demographic: European demographic growth over the

The Cold War

The Cold War was a period of constant tension between the United States and the USSR that lasted from 1948 to 1989. During these years, each superpower aimed to demonstrate and increase its own power, while at the same time limiting or reducing the influence of the other. However, both the Americans and the Soviets wanted to avoid a direct military confrontation, since this could lead to nuclear war.

The Great Depression

At the end of the 1920s, a series of problems in the United States caused a major economic crisis, known as the Great Depression. This crisis lasted until the end of the 1930s and brought an end to the prosperous, consumer lifestyle of the previous decade.

Causes of the Great Depression

The problems that led to the... Continue reading "The Cold War and Great Depression: A Comparative Analysis" »

This analysis delves into Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset's poem, "My Opinion," penned around 1681. The poem offers a sharp commentary on the tumultuous succession conflict that marked the final years of Charles II's reign in England.

Historical Context: Charles II and the Restoration Era

Charles II's Reign and Early Restoration

Charles II reigned in England from 1661 to 1685. His early life included a period of exile when England was a republic under Cromwell's regime, the Commonwealth, following the execution of Charles I at the end of the English Civil War. This restrictive regime led to widespread discontent. In 1659, soon after Cromwell's death, the English people compelled his son and successor, Richard, to abdicate and recalled Charles... Continue reading "Charles Sackville's 'My Opinion': Restoration Political Satire" »

From Progressive 2-Years to the Glorious Revolution (1854-1868)

Progressive 2-Years (1854-1856)

Narvaez's power was becoming more and more dictatorial, which provoked discontent and ended in a coup d'etat by General O'Donnell. He published the Manzanares Manifesto and obtained wide popular backing. He created a new political party: the Liberal Union (between moderates and progressives).

Finally, the coup d'etat was successful and Espartero returned and formed a government.

In this time, some measures were adopted such as the Madoz disentitlement, the elaboration of a new progressive constitution (never applied) by the Constituent Courts, and the creation of the Railroad Law for economic modernization.

New political groups appeared:

• Democrats: asked

Walt Whitman

• Born in New York into a laboring family of agriculturists (the working class.)
• His family has nine children and he was the second childegan working at the age of 12 as a printer in Brooklyn and New York City.
• Became a journalist and editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in NY. He was later fired because he supported the antislavery Free Soil faction of the Democratic Party.
• Traveled via the Mississippi River to Louisiana and worked on the Crescent and later returned to NY.
• Saw many Shakespeare plays
• Back in NY he began experimenting with a new style of poetry
• Published his first edition of Leaves of Grass in 1855 with no publisher nor author name.
• The third edition of 1860 included Calamus and Premonition later called Started from Pumanok.

The Indispensable United Nations

Despite its shortcomings, the UN remains crucial for:

• Facilitating dialogue between the US and the world
• Addressing conflicts and promoting development
• Modifying US policies
• Providing a platform for international cooperation
• Addressing global interdependence
• Enhancing planetary interdependence
• Supporting international peace and understanding

Reforming the Security Council

Arguments for restructuring:

• The Security Council's role in UN functioning
• Changing power dynamics with the disintegration of the USSR
• Privileged position of permanent members
• Veto power of permanent members
• Need for representation from developing countries

Threats to Security in the Third and First Worlds

Third World:

• Military conflicts with neighboring states
• Internal

George Washington

Born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, George Washington served as a general and became the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

Battle at Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War.

The Invasion of Quebec

On December 31, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), Patriot forces under Colonel Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) and General Richard Montgomery (1738-75) attempted to capture the British-occupied city of Quebec and with it win support for the American cause in Canada.

The Staten Island Peace Conference

The Staten Island Peace Conference was a brief meeting held... Continue reading "Key Events and Figures of the American Revolution" »

The Rise of Islam

Origins and Expansion

Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula, where Arab farmers and traders worshipped multiple gods. Mecca served as their religious center. Muhammad, born in Mecca, emerged as a prophet of Allah (God). Despite facing persecution in Mecca for his teachings, Muhammad's message spread, marking the beginning of Islam.

In 622 CE, Muhammad's escape to Medina (the Hijra) marked the start of the Muslim era. He successfully converted the people of Medina, and by his death in 632 CE, a significant portion of the Arab population had embraced Islam.

The Koran and Islamic Society

The Koran, the sacred book of Islam, emphasizes the oneness of Allah. Islamic society's core principles, derived from the Koran, include:

• Allah'

Source: Thomas Walsingham's Historia Anglicana

The text provided is a fragment from Historia Anglicana II, written by Thomas Walsingham in 1395, although it's said that it wasn’t entirely written by him. He was an English Benedictine monk and chronicler at St Albans Abbey, and he is well known for his works. This one tells us about the period during the reign of Richard II, and the text refers to the Peasants' Revolt, an important event. The story is relevant because it reflects the spirit of the people of the period. The text focuses on how people were influenced by John Ball, an English Lollard priest and a leader of the peasants, and the new way of thinking among the population.

England Under Richard II: Context of the Revolt

In 1377, King... Continue reading "England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt" »

Origins

Division of the Middle East between European powers after the Ottoman Empire collapses (1918-1920).

The first country to fight for independence from the OE was Greece (with the help of Britain, France, and Russia who all had interest in Ottoman territory).

[Important for KSA] Hussein Bin Ali (Hashemite dynasty): Sharif of Mecca was asked by the Young Turks to get involved and help them (acknowledging the Jihad). But, he said that he would only do this if they united into one Arab state. Turks didn’t agree and left him. British, on the other side, offered him just what he wanted if he rebelled towards Turkey. He mobilized Arabs to revolt and put his son in charge along with Lawrence of Arabia. This was an important factor in the end of... Continue reading "Sykes-Picot Agreement: Origins, Impact, and Legacy" »