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

European Wars

The story of Europe is not about great achievements of which we can be proud. European nations have fought terrible wars against each other. In the 20th century, two wars that started on this continent spread and involved countries all over the world.

Founding of the European Union

If you want to prevent war, you have to work together. The first step is to control jointly the things needed for war: steel for weapons and energy for factories.

European Coal and Steel Community

That is why six European countries (Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands) agreed to unite their steel and coal industries.

European Economic Community

The six countries got on so well that they decided to go a step further and set up the E.E.C....

My name isSimón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios, better known historically as Simón Bolívar, even though my admirers prefer to name me also because of my title of Liberator, obtained after fighting more than twenty years for the independence of the South American countries and the conformation of Gran Colombia.

I was born on July 24, 1783, in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, even though some theses mention the possibility that my birth actually took place at my parents' farm in San Mateo, a town located a few hours from the capital. In this way, I became the third child of the spouses Juan Vicente Bolívar and Ponte-Andrade and María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco . However, fate wanted me to remain an...

Why Were Virginia's Frontier Settlers Frustrated With Their Government?

The frontier lacked representation in Virginia's legislature.

What Principles Did the Government of Providence Differ From That of Massachusetts?

Providence differed from Massachusetts in its emphasis on religious tolerance and separation of church and state. Providence also had agreements with Native American tribes and promised religious freedom to its inhabitants.

Social Structure of Southern Societies

Southern society was stratified into three main groups:

1. Small farmers
2. Plantation owners
3. Enslaved Africans

How Was the French Colony in North America Unlike the British Colonies?

The French had friendlier relations with Native Americans than the British and established stronger...

4.1 Taxes and Rights

• The Seven Years’ War had doubled Britain’s national debt and increased 5-fold the cost of running and defending North America: Britain wanted more revenue from America and claimed the right to extract it.
• The Stamp Act of 1765 extended this duty to the colonies – it was the first direct tax as distinct from duties on trade. It hit merchants, lawyers and editors the hardest, leading to mob violence against British agents in Boston and other cities from the Sons of Liberty. Merchants boycotted imports from Britain.
• The Stamp Act Congress met in New York to petition the king to repeal the Stamp Act. The delegates agreed a Declaration of Right which stated that ‘no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent’.

Cold War

Period permanently tense international relations between 1945 and 1991. The world was divided into 2 blocs:

Western Bloc

Leading by USA, had a political system based on democracy.

Eastern Bloc

By Soviet Union, a totalitarian regime and centrally planned economy.

Caract

Bipolar Order: The 2 superpowers had similar military destructive capabilities maintained tensions based on distrust, threats.

Arms Race: Rivalry between both superpowers for authority in countries within their area of influence.

Propaganda: Used extensive propaganda on countries in their area of influence to announce them of the dangers of the opposing bloc.

Regional Conflicts: Directly or indirectly resolved with responding superpower.

Espionage and Secret Services: The CIA and...

Colonial Conflicts

The Berlin Conference (1885) attempted to establish rules for the colonization of the African continent by European empires. However, the rise of powers such as the German Empire reopened conflicts between European countries. At the beginning of the 20th century, Morocco was the main scene of international tension, as European powers competed to control it. The possibility of war was constantly present.

Rivalry Between Powers and Nationalism

European powers became increasingly nationalistic to defend their interests in Europe and their colonial empires. Some Europeans had nationalist aspirations, while others wanted to defend their great empires. The Balkans became a center of heightened tension. There was also significant rivalry...

The League's Aims

The League of Nations was set up because President Wilson wanted this more than anything else.

He wanted the League to be a kind of ‘world parliament’, where nations would sort out their arguments.   He hoped this would stop wars.   But Wilson wanted to do more than just stop war; he wanted to make the world a better place.   He wanted the League to do things to improve people’s lives and jobs.   He wanted to improve public health, and to end slavery.

Wilson also hoped that the League would persuade the nations to agree to disarmament – to put down their weapons.   That would make war impossible.

Finally, Wilson thought that the League of Nations could enforce the Treaty of Versailles, and persuade...

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

Colonial Nigeria: British Administration and Independence

The largest of British colonies in West Africa was Nigeria. The establishment of Nigeria as a British colony was mainly due to the efforts of Sir George Goldie.

After gaining control of all the British firms trading on the Niger River, he also took over two French companies and signed treaties with numerous African leaders. By 1886, his firm controlled business activities in the area and was granted a British royal charter, establishing the Royal Niger Company.

In 1900, the charter was revoked, and the company's territory came under the direct control of the British government. A year later, Nigeria became a British protectorate.

The administration of Nigeria was based on a system called...

The Rise of Asian Countries

China: The Birth of a Great Power

After Mao Zedong, the People's Republic of China was ruled by Deng Xiaoping (1978-1997). He promoted economic reforms known as "market socialism", which combined communism with some elements of capitalism. His reforms included:

1. Dismantling the communes.
2. Distributing land among the peasants.
3. Allowing peasants to sell their own products.
4. Encouraging the export of cheap products to foreign countries.
5. Opening China to foreign trade and investments.

Xiaoping's successors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, have followed the same policy. The result has been the spectacular growth of the Chinese GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and its exports. Despite China being one of the greatest powers in the world, social...