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

What is a Global City?

A global city, also known as a world city, is generally considered to be an important node in the global economic system (e.g., New York). It is a city that has a significant component of transnational elites.

Rome is a globalized (diversely global) city known around the world for its historical, demographic, and cultural trends, such as its image as a center of religious heritage. Rome has been crucial in the development of modern tourism, which is considered one of the side effects of economics.

Stereotypes

A stereotype is to believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same. Common stereotypes of Rome include:

• The Eternal City (never-lasting)
• Romantic, free, and fun
• City of layers
• Ancient

2. THE FIRST World War

Was fought between 1914 and 1918, by various European countries and their colonies, the USA, Japan, China and some Latin American republics.

2.1. The causes of the war:

• The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire competed for control of the Balkans. At the same time, Serbia was angry about the expansion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire into the area.

• France wanted to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine, which it had lost to the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian War. France and Germany also competed for control of Morocco.

• Great Britain saw the supremacy of each merchant navy threatened when the German Empire, become an economic power

These disputes created a pre-war atmosphere, and the European powers continued

The Soviet Union: From Revolution to Cold War

The Soviet Union had its roots in the October Revolution of 1917, when the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Russian Provisional Government that had replaced Tsar Nicholas II. This established the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (Russian SFSR) and started the Russian Civil War between the revolutionary "Reds" and the counter-revolutionary "Whites." The Red Army entered several territories of the former Russian Empire and helped local communists take power through workers' councils called "soviets", which nominally acted on behalf of workers and peasants. In 1922, the communists were victorious, forming the Soviet Union with the unification of the Russian, Transcaucasian,... Continue reading "Soviet Union: From Revolution to Cold War" »

Spanish Industrialization Law of 1939

This document is a firsthand legal text, a law enacted to provide state support for the creation of industries of national interest. Authored by Franco in October 1939, it reflects the post-Civil War priorities of the Spanish state.

Published after the end of the Civil War, the law emerged from the state's recognition of the importance of industries, particularly those with wartime applications. The country's situation was dire, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and reduced agricultural and industrial output. The Northern Campaign highlighted the need for state control over key industries.

The Rationale Behind the Law

The law was driven by the realization that controlling industries, especially... Continue reading "Spanish Industrialization Law of 1939: A Post-War Analysis" »

1. What Were Jefferson’s Beliefs About the Role of Government? He believed in having limited power, but setbacks were in order. He was an Anti-Federalist and a Jeffersonian Republican. He believed in frugality (little spending) and simplicity, which meant he cut back on some things. He reduced the army and the number of government employees. He also wanted to cut back on taxes and succeeded in eliminating the entire national debt. He believed that each state should have its own rights, such as education and road maintenance.

2. In the Election of 1800, What Were the Federalists Afraid Of? Federalists were afraid of revolution and chaos (Adams) because if Jefferson won the election, everything was going to change.

3. In the Election of 1800,

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy (only 1 year)

Allies

France, Russia, Great Britain, Italy (1915), later Japan and USA

The war started in Europe but affected other continents due to the colonial expansion.

Causes

The 28 June 1914, Franz Ferdinand (the A-H heir to the throne) was murdered in Sarajevo, Bosnia. With his wife Sophie, by the Serbian nationalist student Gavrilo Princip. After an ultimatum, A-H declared war on Serbia, and Russia defended Serbia. France took the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from Germany. Italy took Istria and Trent from A-H. Some claimed independence in the Balkans, countries were fighting against the oppression of the Austrian and the Turkish empires. Due to the competition in commerce... Continue reading "Causes and Consequences of World War I" »

The Turn of the Century World Economy

Germany led European industrial production, powered by its robust iron and steel industry, utilizing advancements like the Bessemer converter. The United States industrialized rapidly in the latter half of the 19th century, fueled by European immigration which expanded its workforce.

Imperialism

Definition: During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, developed nations seized control of regions worldwide, establishing colonies and expanding empires.

The Colonial Empires

The British Empire, the largest, encompassed colonies across North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, notably India and Australia. The French empire, though smaller, held colonies in Africa and Asia.

Causes of Imperial Expansion

The primary... Continue reading "Late 19th and Early 20th Century Global Transformations" »

In 1902, Alphonse XIII (son of Maria Cristina) ascended to the throne and supported the most conservative sectors. The two dynastic parties, taking turns in government, divided due to changes in their leadership. Consequently, caciques (local political bosses) lost influence. In this context of political instability, the country faced several social problems, including:

• Increased social crises (landowners vs. workers)
• Protests against the Church (anticlericalism expanded)
• Criticism of the army
• Growth of the workers' movement (mainly in Catalonia and the Basque Country)
• The Moroccan problem

Furthermore, social and political opposition developed, albeit without immediate success. These opposition groups included:

• Carlists
• Republicans
• Workers' movements,

Battle of the Marne

Germany attempted to execute the Schlieffen Plan, which aimed to quickly defeat France and then attack Russia. However, the French successfully halted the German advance at the Battle of the Marne.

Gallipoli Campaign

The British attempted to seize the Dardanelles Strait in order to isolate Turkey, but they were defeated in Gallipoli (1915-1916).

Russian Withdrawal from World War I

The Russian front collapsed due to the Bolshevik Revolution, which caused them to withdraw from the conflict.

United States Enters World War I

When the U.S.A. joined the war on the side of the Allies, it provided significant amounts of supplies and soldiers, which enabled the Allies to win the war.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The Germans made peace with Russia... Continue reading "Key Events and Outcomes of World War I and the Russian Revolution" »