Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of History

American Revolution Causes and Context

Colonial Economy and Tensions

The Northern Colonies' economy was based on agriculture and trade. In the Southern Colonies, the main activity was tobacco farming, primarily carried out by enslaved Black people.

Britain desired raw materials from the American colonies but had no interest in developing industry there. They also held a monopoly on trade.

Political Disputes and Taxes

Political tensions arose as colonial assemblies gained significant powers, such as collecting certain taxes. Britain imposed taxes on the settlers, but they often refused to pay. This served as a protest because the settlers were not represented in the British Parliament.

King George III attempted to impose new taxes, further escalating... Continue reading "American and French Revolutions: Key Events and Causes" »

The Second World War (I)

The Combatants

On September 1, 1939, World War II began after Germany invaded Poland. The conflict lasted for almost six years, ending on August 5, 1945. Nations at war were divided into two groups: The Allies, led by France and the United Kingdom, and The Axis Powers, led by Germany and Italy.

The Causes of the War

Several factors contributed to the outbreak of World War II:

• Germany's desire for revenge after the humiliation suffered at the Treaty of Versailles.
• Economic depression.
• The rise of totalitarian regimes.
• Imperialist and militaristic policies: Japan invaded Manchuria (1932), Italy annexed Abyssinia (1935) and Albania (1939), and Germany, claiming territories of German population, annexed Austria (1938) and the Sudetenland,

As a global superpower, the United States aims to assist nations in need and promote positive values worldwide. However, American foreign policy should prioritize a realist perspective, placing American interests first. Historical events such as the Battle of Mogadishu, the Camp David Accords, and the airstrikes in Syria exemplify the effectiveness of realism in shaping our foreign policy and underscore the importance of maintaining this approach.

The Camp David Accords: A Diplomatic Triumph

During President Jimmy Carter's administration, the Camp David Accords involved two weeks of negotiations between Israel and Egypt in the United States. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the "Framework for Peace... Continue reading "American Foreign Policy: A Realist Approach" »

Re: Beyond Roman borders were barbarians. Near the frontier, the Germanic tribes made economic exchanges. They sold the Romans wood, amber, and slaves. Sometimes there were Germanic raids on Roman territory, so the Romans built fortifications along the Rhine and Danube rivers.

Minoan, Mycenaean, and Greek Civilizations

Timeline:

• 3000 BC: Minoan Civilization
• 1500 BC: Mycenaean Civilization
• 1200 BC: Greek Dark Age
• 800 BC: Archaic Period
• 500 BC: Classical Period
• 338 BC: Hellenistic Period
• 31 BC: Roman Conquest

Political Structures:

• Athens:
  • Assembly (Ekklesia)
  • Council of Five Hundred (Boule)
  • Judges
  • Supreme Courts (Heliaia)
• Sparta:
  • Assembly (Apella)
  • Kings
  • Ephors
  • Gerousia

Colonies: Groups of emigrants seeking defensible locations to establish new cities.

Roman Civilization

Timeline:

• 753 BC: Founding of Rome (Monarchy)
• 509 BC: Establishment of the Roman Republic
• 27 BC: Beginning of the Roman Empire
• 476 AD: Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Political Structures:

• Monarchy: Ruled by a king with absolute power.
• Republic: Power held by elected officials

SECTION 1

13TH CENTURY BC: Jews escaped from captivity in Egypt. Settled in Canaan.

                                    Jews formed the kingdom of Judea.

                                    People called Peleshet populated Philistia.

70AD: Jews were forced to disperse throughout the Roman Empire

           The emperor Adrian re-named the area Palestine after expelled the Romans

FOLLOWUING CENTURIES: Few Jews and Christians lived among Muslim Majorities

SECTION 2

7TH CENTURY: Muslim-Palestine connexion after the area was invaded by a Caliph

1516: Palestine under the control of the Ottoman Turks

19TH CENTURY: The diaspora Jews and the first settlers began arriving in

Political Regimes

The Absolute Monarchies

The powers of state government were controlled by the monarch, without having to consult traditional institutions (the Cortes).

The theory of the divine origin of their power. Centralized administration (it was managed from the court by civil servants who ensured that the monarch controlled the economy and army and that their orders were obeyed throughout their kingdom).

Example: Louis XIV of France ("Sun King")

The Parliamentary Systems

The power of the monarch was limited by the parliament, which represented the interests of the three estates.

England attempted to introduce absolute monarchy, but the English parliament opposed. There were two revolutions: in the first one, Charles I was executed; in the... Continue reading "European History in the 17th Century: Absolute Monarchies, Science, and Culture" »

Who were the philosophes and what did they advocate (support)?

Philosophes were the thinkers of the Enlightenment and advocated 5 main beliefs:

• Truth can be found by using reason
• What is natural is good and reasonable
• Acting according to nature can bring happiness
• Taking a scientific view can make progress and advance to better lives
• Using reason can gain freedom

How did women impact the Enlightenment?

Women started protesting for their rights and equality. Influential women like Mary Wollstonecraft argued with men like Rousseau and said that women need education to become useful. She urged women to enter male dominated fields like medicine and politics. Women also contributed to the spread of the Enlightenment.

Explain how Enlightenment ideas spread

Early Involvement and Growing Importance

Initially, Canada's role in World War I was limited, but it gradually grew in significance. Canadian troops fought in key battles, including the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme.

Vimy Ridge: A Pivotal Victory

On April 9, 1917, Canadian troops captured Vimy Ridge, a strategic position that had resisted German attacks for two years. This victory was a major military success and solidified Canada's reputation as a formidable force.

Billy Bishop: Canada's Top Airman

Billy Bishop, a Canadian airman, became the Commonwealth's highest-scoring airman to survive the war, with 72 victories. His exceptional skills and bravery earned him widespread recognition.

The Canadian 100 Days Campaign

In the final... Continue reading "Canada's Role in World War I: From Obscurity to Triumph" »