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

Causes of World War I

• The competition led to an arms race.
• Nationalism was strong in Europe. Germany and Italy were unified, powerful nations.
• Nationalism caused trouble in the Balkans.
• Serbia became a free country in the Balkans.
• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• Triple Entente: France, Great Britain, and Russia.
• On June 14, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were killed by a Serbian shooter.
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28. Germany supported Austria-Hungary, and Russia supported Serbia.
• On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia.

Four Years of War

• Belgium was a neutral country, but on August 4, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. Because of this, Great Britain declared war on Germany.
• Germany had enemies on

Looking for a glimpse into the ancient world?

A) Avebury, England: Touch the Past

Stonehenge is often the first stop for history enthusiasts visiting the UK. However, there's a hidden gem nearby that offers a more immersive experience: the Avebury stone circle. Unlike Stonehenge, where visitors are kept at a distance, Avebury allows you to walk among, touch, and truly connect with the ancient stones.

The Avebury stones, though less uniform than Stonehenge, possess a raw, ancient energy. Their survival is remarkable, considering they were once targeted for destruction by those seeking to erase traces of older religions. Some stones were even repurposed as building materials for local residences. Thankfully, marmalade manufacturer Alexander Keiller... Continue reading "Journey Through Time: Exploring the Ancient World's Hidden Gems" »

Causes of American Revolution

In 1733 the British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which hurt American merchants, who responded by attacking British ships laden with tea in Boston Harbor, known as the Boston Tea Party. This event was followed by the outbreak of the War of the American Revolution in 1775.

Declaration of Independence

There were important political changes. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which outlined the principles of nation sovereignty, separation of powers, and suffrage.

The colonies, led by General George Washington, won decisive victories at Saratoga and Yorktown. Then, Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation in the Treaty of Paris.

United States Constitution

The United... Continue reading "Causes and Impact of American and French Revolutions" »

Organic Law of the State

The Organic Law of Spain specifies that some areas of law should be regulated, such as the Laws of Development of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which was the basis for the Statutes of Autonomy of the various autonomous communities of Spain. Juridically, organic laws are at the same level as ordinary laws. The difference between the two is in the more restrictive process for creating organic laws and in the matters that they regulate. It was written by Franco on January 11, 1967, and it is a first-level legal text.

During the last years of Franconism, there were more problems than ever, and the economic development did not manage to attract people’s support. Citizens asked for changes not only in the economy but in... Continue reading "Organic Law of Spain: Franco's Regime and Democratic Opposition" »

Mikhail Gorbachev

In the late 1980s, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev implemented a series of changes in his country's social, economic, and foreign policies designed to improve the standard of living and enter a new era with the United States. The cumulative effect of his "new thinking" was to end the Cold War, the breakdown of the Soviet Empire, and the Soviet Union itself.

Mikhail Gorbachev became head of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985.

Economic Challenges and Reforms

The Soviet economy in the mid-1980s faced serious challenges. Years of centralized controls had led to stagnation, and the Soviet economy was already straining to compete with the military buildup in the United States led by President Ronald Reagan. In response,... Continue reading "Mikhail Gorbachev: Reforms and the End of the Cold War" »

Coexistence and Conflict

Q: How long did Al-Andalus and the Christian kingdoms coexist?

A: They coexisted for nearly 800 years.

Early Resistance: Pelayo and the Battle of Covadonga

Q: Who was Pelayo, and what did he do?

A: Pelayo was one of the most important kings in the early Christian kingdoms. He organized the Battle of Covadonga in 722.

Q: Why did he go to prison?

A: Pelayo went to prison because he didn't pay taxes to the Muslim rulers.

Expansion and Consolidation

Q: What happened during the reign of Alfonso III?

A: Alfonso III changed the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias from Oviedo to Leon.

Q: Who was Fernán González, and what role did he play in the development of Castile?

A: Fernán González was a count who helped Castile become independent... Continue reading "The Rise of Christian Kingdoms in Medieval Iberia" »

Key Events in 20th Century Spanish History

Early 20th Century Crises

1. Copy and Complete in Your Notebook:

• The... 20th... Spain...

2. Similarities and Differences Between the Crises of 1909 and 1917:

• 1909 Crisis: There was widespread discontent among soldiers, which evolved into an anti-military and anti-clerical movement. This ultimately ended the country's stability.
• 1917 Crisis: Similar to 1909, but the entire population was involved in the revolution, leading Spain into a serious political crisis.

The Anual Disaster and Primo de Rivera's Dictatorship

3. Reading and Map Analysis (Page 96):

• A) What happened in Anual in 1921? It was a significant Spanish defeat in North Africa against the Berbers.
• B) Who came to power in the aftermath of the Anual

Consequences of World War I

Following the conclusion of World War I, the Allied powers convened peace talks to determine the future global order.

The Paris Peace Conference and the Big Four

• The Allies held peace talks at Versailles, France, in 1919.
• The principal leaders involved were known as “The Big Four”:
  • Italy: Vittorio Emanuele Orlando
  • France: Georges Clemenceau
  • Great Britain (GB): David Lloyd George
  • USA: Woodrow Wilson
• U.S. President Woodrow Wilson presented his plan for lasting peace, known as the Fourteen Points, advocating for “peace without victory.”
• A key principle was Self-determination: the right of different nationalities to form their own independent nations.
• Wilson's 14th point called for the formation of the League of Nations.

CARLOS V of the Holy Roman Empire

- Inheritance Maternal: Castilla, Navarra, Aragon, and Territories Italy

- Inheritance Paternal: German Lands, Netherlands, Franche-Comté

- Domestic Policy: Uprisings against a Foreign King: 1. The Revolt of Comuneros in Castilla: Nobles, Bourgeoisie, and Peasants increasing taxes/Battle of Villalar 1521/Bravo, Padilla, Maldonado were killed. 2. Germania Revolts in Valencia and Mallorca: The nobility and the rebels were defeated.

- Foreign Policy: 1. The Papacy was afraid of Carlos V's imperial power. 2. France was surrounded by the territories of the empire, and King Francoise I fought Carlos V. 3. Defending Christianity, Carlos V took Tunis defeated in Algiers

Conflicts with Protestants

4. He defeated the German... Continue reading "Spanish Monarchs: Carlos V, Felipe II, Felipe III" »

CHAPTER 15

THE MAKING OF RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION

The successor of Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, was identified as the leader of the 'honest yeomen' (1865-1869). Also, his political skills attracted the public opinion around the states. His politics offered pardons to the white in the southern elite and accepting local affairs to be managed by the new states government. This government started developing new laws restricting blacks of their freedom. Afterwards, republicans called for the dissolution of the government of Johnson and the guarantee of the right to vote for black men. History shows us that most republicans were moderated rather than radicals, but they bill to the congress to extend the life of the Freedmen's Bureau. In the 14 Amendment,... Continue reading "Radical Reconstruction: A Turning Point in American History" »