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

The Non-Aligned Movement

During the 1950s, the Non-Aligned Movement emerged. It consisted of countries that wanted to remain neutral in the Cold War; it was a result of decolonization. In 1955, these African and Asian countries met at the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, where they established the principles of non-alignment.

Characteristics of Non-Aligned Countries

• Politics:
  • These countries had different forms of government, including democracies and dictatorships.
  • They supported the right to national self-determination.
• International Relations:
  • They did not participate in the Cold War.
  • They defended non-violence.
• Economy:
  • These countries had developing economies.
  • They aimed to achieve economic growth and development through cooperation.

Non-aligned countries... Continue reading "The Non-Aligned Movement and the Cold War Bipolar System" »

Roger of Hoveden’s Chronicle (early 13th c.)

This is a bilingual edition of a fragment of the chronicle written in the early 13th century by Roger of Hoveden, an Anglo-Norman monk. It is written in the form of a letter to Pope Alexander, so it is full of religious expressions.

The Normans in England

The Normans took possession of England after William “the Conqueror” won the Battle of Hastings against Saxon king Harold in 1066, a date that marks the beginning of the medieval period in England according to most historians. They brought the French language to England and professed the Christian religion.

Feudalism in England

With the coming of the Normans, a very medieval concept was introduced - feudalism, which was a social system of dependence... Continue reading "Feudalism and Conflict in Medieval England" »

Emerging Economies: BRICS and MINTs

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China)

Over the past few decades, several countries have emerged as significant players on the global stage, capturing attention with their robust growth and socio-political stability. These emerging economies, known as the BRICS, are projected to be among the largest economies by 2050, potentially surpassing the G6 nations due to their large populations and rapid GDP growth.

China's Economic Dominance: China has undoubtedly been at the forefront of global growth, outpacing other countries by a considerable margin. As the world's leading manufacturer, China's economic success hinges on global demand for its products. However, the country faces the challenge of balancing its GDP... Continue reading "Emerging Economies: BRICS, MINTs, and the Shifting Global Landscape" »

Hoovervilles: Shantytowns of the Great Depression

A Nation's Struggle for Shelter

During the Great Depression, resourcefulness became a necessity for survival. People salvaged discarded materials like lumber, tin, cardboard, tar paper, glass, and canvas to construct makeshift shelters known as Hoovervilles. These shantytowns, named after President Herbert Hoover, dotted the American landscape, a stark reminder of the widespread poverty and unemployment. While some residents with carpentry skills built relatively sturdy structures, others cobbled together packing boxes and whatever they could find. Some even resorted to living in empty water mains. The ingenuity and desperation of the era were evident in these makeshift communities.

The Challenge

Axis Victories (1939-1941)

Axis Powers: Japan, Italy, and Germany

Following the invasion of Poland in September 1939, Hitler initiated the 'Blitzkrieg' (lightning war) strategy, employing surprise attacks, aerial support, and Panzer divisions. Poland was subsequently divided between the USSR and Germany.

In 1940, Germany invaded and occupied much of Western Europe, including Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and France. Great Britain remained the sole nation resisting German occupation. To prepare for a potential invasion of Britain, the German air force launched bombing campaigns on British ports and cities during the Battle of Britain. Britain successfully resisted the attacks, prompting Hitler to shift his strategy and impose a blockade... Continue reading "World War II: A Timeline of Key Events" »

Restoration and 19th Century Revolutions

The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)

After Napoleon’s defeat and exile to the island of Saint Helena, the victorious countries met at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). Prussia, Russia, and Austria were absolutist; only Britain had a constitutional monarchy. Three objectives were proposed at the meeting:

• Legitimism: To restore absolutism under a new name. The kings were the only ones with legitimacy to govern. The old dynasties were restored in several European countries. In France, the Bourbon monarchy was reinstated under Louis XVIII.
• The Holy Alliance: To create an alliance between the absolutist monarchs to protect them from any attempted revolutions. Great Britain did not join this alliance. The alliance

By 1800, the London Corresponding Society and Paine’s The Rights of Man were banned by the government. As Thompson explained, every time the working classes tried to assert their rights, they were repressed. However, The Rights of Man continued to be read and circulated in secret.

Thompson´s Making of the English working class can be divided into three parts:

Examine the Notions of Kingship Mentioned in the Gandatindu Jataka

Answer: Popular Perceptions of Kings - The Gandatindu Jataka describes the plight of the subjects of a wicked king.

1. When the king went in disguise to find out what his subjects thought about him, each one of them cursed him for their miseries, complaining that they were attacked by robbers at night and by tax collectors during the day.
2. To escape from this situation, people abandoned their villages and went to live in the forest.
3. As this story indicates, the relationship between a king and his subjects, especially the rural population, could often be strained – kings frequently tried to fill their coffers by demanding high taxes, and peasants, in particular, found such demands

Decolonization and the Cold War (1945-1991)

The Cold War

Overview

The Cold War (1945-1991) was a period of geopolitical tension between the Western Bloc (led by the USA, promoting liberal democracy and capitalism) and the Eastern Bloc (led by the USSR, advocating for a single-party system and a planned economy).

Stages

1. Formation of blocs (1945-1953)
2. Coexistence and confrontation (1953-1968)
3. Détente (1968-1979)
4. Renewed conflict (1979-1985)
5. Crisis and fall of the Soviet bloc (1985-1991)

Key Events and Developments

Formation of Blocs (1945-1953)

• Iron Curtain: The division of Europe into Western (democratic and capitalist) and Eastern (communist) blocs.
• Marshall Plan (1947): Implemented by the USA to reconstruct Western Europe and contain communism.
• NATO (1949)

American Revolution (1775-1783)

The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a period in which the 13 colonies on the Atlantic side of North America won independence from Great Britain and became the United States of America (USA). Americans complained that they had to pay high taxes to Great Britain but were given no political representation.

Immediate Causes of the French Revolution

• Unemployment increase
• Market went into recession
• Cost of living doubled
• American War of Independence
• Payment failures

Key Events of the French Revolution

The Beginning

In 1789, the Estates General finally met. There were 291 representatives of the Church, 270 nobles, and 578 of the Third Estate. They immediately asked to change the voting system, at least to one person, one... Continue reading "American and French Revolutions: Causes and Impacts" »