Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of History

WHAT IS DECOLONIZATION?

The process of dismantlement (taking apart) of the Existing colonial empires

And the independence of their colonies that happened in 1945. It affected more Than 50 countries and around 1500 Million people.

CAUSES OF DECOLONIZATION

WWII
Nationalist movements
Emergence of charismatic leaders
International support

WHO SUPPORTER DECOLONIZATION ?

intellectuals, Christian churches, international Humanitarian movement
United Nations

WHAT WAS THE MARSHALL PLAN? HOW WAS EUROPE AFFECTED?
A rescue and reconstruction plan based on grants and loans for Europe
That was in ruins after WWII. USA sought new markets and wanted to avoid
Social unrest which might favor communism in Europe.
Europe received 25,000 million dollars and USA intervened

WHO

The Development of World War I

1914 was a new crisis in the Balkans which damaged Europe.

The outbreak of conflict

The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian crown was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist terrorist group called Black Hand. Austria declared war on Serbia, starting the game of alliances between central powers and triple entente. The working class was pacifist and anti-war, everything happened so fast and they decided to go to war. Those who were opposed were persecuted and punished.

War of movement and trench warfare

The Schlieffen plan decided to attack against Paris invading Belgium. The Germans wanted to invade France but the French army managed to stop the advance in the Battle of the Marne. German strategy had failed,... Continue reading "The Development of World War I: Causes, Alliances, and Trench Warfare" »

MA 4: Key Periods and Concepts

Revolution (1640-1653)

Beginning with the Long Parliament, this era saw the beheading of King Charles I. Religious problems became politically charged, leading to a separation and confrontation between Royalists and Republicans. Theaters closed as a form of repression, and poetics shifted towards a Plainstyle.

The Commonwealth (1649-1659)

This republic, also known as the Protectorate, ruled England, Ireland, and Scotland. Diverse political and religious groups, characterized by radicalism, emerged. Literature grappled with the question of social order. The Protestant idea of 'inner light' as God's grace became politically significant.

The Restoration (1660-1688)

The Stuart monarchy returned with Charles II and later... Continue reading "English Literature: Revolution, Commonwealth & Restoration (1640-1688)" »

The Communist World (1945-1982)

General Characteristics

• Political System: Dictatorship of the proletariat. The common interest was prioritized over individual rights and freedom.
• Countries established institutions that merged executive and legislative powers, allowing only the existence of a single party: the communist party.
• Economy: Controlled by the state.
  • Collectivized land
  • Nationalized industry and services
  • Controlled the market and prices
• Economic Performance:
  • 1945-1960: Recovered from the war crisis.
  • Post-1960: Economic slowdown due to:
    • Low productivity
    • Lack of economic incentives
    • Technological backwardness compared to the West
    • Lack of consumer products leading to rationing
• Communist Society:
  • In theory: Egalitarian and classless.
  • In practice: Significant

1921, hungary dictatrship by Horty. 1922, Italy by Mussolini. 1923,Spain by Primo de Rivera. 1926, poland by Pilsduki. 1929, Yugoslava by Alexander I. 1932, Portugal by Salazar. 1933, Germany by Hitler, Austria by Dollfus. 1936, Greece by Metaxas. 1939, Spain by Franco.

1931, Japan occupies Manchuria. 1933, Hitler cancellor. 1935, Italy invades ethipia. 1936, Rome-berlin axis, anti-commitern pact. 1938, Germany annexes autsria, munich conference. 1939, germany annexes czechoslovakia, nazi soviet pact.

1940 (MAY) germany occupies netherlands and belgium. (JUNE) germany occupies paris. (JULY) start battle britain. (OCT) italy invades greece. 1941 (JUNE) germany invades the ussr. (DEC) japan attack pearl harbour.

1942, battle of midway and el alemin.... Continue reading "Timeline of World War II: Rise of Dictatorships and Key Events" »

Dancing with the Wolves: Conquest of the West

The closing of the American frontier is marked by two significant dates: the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota (1890) and the Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893). The latter showcased America's triumph and glory. Historian Frederick Jackson Turner delivered a speech at the Exposition, declaring the frontier officially closed.

The Gilded Age and the Rise of Industrialization

The closure of the frontier coincided with the onset of the Gilded Age, a period of rapid industrialization. People migrated from rural areas to burgeoning industrial cities. Small farms suffered due to the rise of agribusiness.

Muckrakers and Social Reform

Amidst widespread corruption, a movement of middle-class intellectuals,... Continue reading "American Frontier Closure & Rise of Industrial Power: 1890-1920" »

The Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Overview

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War and the Resistance War Against America (or simply the American War in Vietnam), was a protracted conflict spanning from November 1, 1955, to the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The war involved Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Officially, the war was fought between North Vietnam (supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies) and South Vietnam (backed by the United States, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, and other anti-communist allies). Often considered a Cold War-era proxy war, the conflict lasted 19 years, with direct U.S. involvement concluding in 1973. The war resulted in the communist takeover of all three countries... Continue reading "Vietnam War: A Cold War Era Conflict" »

Three Roads to Modernity

1. Capitalist Democratic Road

• Identified in the UK, France, and the USA.
• The peasant question is solved as the peasantry is quickly and efficiently absorbed by the new economic system.
• Steps: enclosure, new technology, industry (normally starting with mining and textiles).
• In these three countries, there is a bourgeoisie that controls the industrialization process.
• This way, they become firstly economically wealthy and then politically powerful (need of political power to consolidate economic power).
• Finally, the landed aristocracy branched out to the bourgeoisie.

This is clearly reflected in the voting power. Initially, only the aristocracy could vote, but gradually the right to vote began involving those who were gaining... Continue reading "Three Paths to Modernity: A Comparative Study" »