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

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.

Debido a la Revolución Francesa e Industrial se creó una nueva clase social, la Class-based Society, que estaba formada por la alta burguesía y the birth of the working class.

Industrial Revolution

Fue originada en Great Britain en 1750.

Cambió la economía del país; la agricultura se hizo menos importante y la industria más.

Causes

• Crecimiento de la población

  Se necesitaba más comida pero había más trabajadores, así que se producía mucho más.

• Mejoras de la agricultura

  Había campos más grandes.

  Aparecieron nuevas máquinas y fertilizantes.

• Increased trade
• Technological progress

  The invention of new machines enabled factories to produce goods more quickly. Prices decreased.

• Financial support from agriculture and trade

  In Great Britain,

Treaty of Versailles Aftermath

World War I was poorly resolved due to the harsh terms imposed on Germany by the **Treaty of Versailles**, leading to economic hardships and fostering resentment.

Aggression and Appeasement

Germany pursued aggressive territorial expansion and military rearmament, while Japan aimed at territorial conquests in Asia. In response, England and France initially followed **appeasement** policies, hoping to avoid conflict.

German Expansion 1933-1939

Germany's territorial achievements from 1933 to 1939 included the remilitarization of the **Rhineland**, the annexation of Austria (**Anschluss**), and the occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Formation of Alliances

Germany formed alliances with Italy and Japan through the **Rome-Berlin-... Continue reading "World War II Origins and Aftermath" »

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

The Phoney War

It was an eight-month period at the start of World War II (1939), during which there were almost no military operations. It was nicknamed “Phoney War” as it was compared to the gruesome early battles of WWI.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

He was the 32nd president of the United States at the time of World War Two.

Benito Mussolini

He was Duce (dictator) of the Italian Republic until his execution due to his alliance with Nazi Germany.

Vichy France

Political regime established by Marshal Philippe Pétain that ruled over those areas of France not occupied by Nazi Germany. It was created after the signing of the armistice with Nazi Germany and it lasted until August 1944.

Battle of El Alamein

It was an important battle that took place in Egypt... Continue reading "Key Terms and Figures of World War II" »

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