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

The Persian War

The Persian War began in the 6th century BC. They conquered many of the polis in Asia Minor and in the eastern Mediterranean. These cities rebelled against the Persians. The first Persian War ended when the hoplites defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. King Xerxes I began the second Persian War but was defeated at the Battle of Salamis.

The Peloponnesian War

Under the leadership of Athens, many polis formed a union called the Delian League. The domination of Athens threatened other polis such as Sparta, which opposed the Delian League of Athens and its allies. The two sides fought against each other in the Peloponnesian War. Sparta won the war and became the leading polis.

Alexander the Great

Philip II of Macedon took...

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...

Key Definitions

Theocentrism

Considers God or divinity the center of all human reality.

Mercantilism

An economic system in which precious metals constitute the essential wealth of states.

Anthropocentrism

A concept that considers humans the center of all created things and the absolute end of creation.

Capitalism

An economic and social system based on private property and the free market.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Separation of Powers

A political idea that separates the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to ensure fairness in the system.

Physiocracy

An economic theory, in opposition to mercantilism, that argued the wealth of nations comes only from agricultural and manufacturing...

The Revolutions of 1905 and 1917

In 1905, general discontent combined with the fact that Russia had been defeated by Japan in the Russo-Japanese war set off a revolution that forced the Tsar to create a parliament, or Duma, and implement certain reforms. However, the autocracy remained.

In 1917, the Russian army’s losses in the First World War and the mass suffering that was caused sparked two revolutions:

The bourgeois February Revolution of 1917 deposed Tsar Nicholas II and established a republic. The liberal and bourgeois provisional government promised reforms, but their sluggishness and decision to remain in the world war led to their downfall.

The Bolshevik October Revolution of 1917, organised by radical Marxists, or Bolsheviks, overthrew...

Growth of Cantonments in India

Establishment and Purpose

For the defense of their Empire, the British Government established cantonments at strategic locations. They also built cantonments on the borders of important native states to control disturbances and monitor rulers' activities.

Initiation and Expansion

In 1765, Lord Robert Clive initiated the policy of building cantonments to keep British troops"cantone" in one place, enforcing discipline and military lifestyle while maintaining a sanitized environment. During that time, there were 62 cantonments in India.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, significant cantonments were established in Lahore, Peshawar, Ferozpur, Agra, Bareilly, Jalandhar, Jhansi, Nagpur, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Delhi....

European Colonization in America

Colonization is the act of dominating or conquering a country or territory. This domination can be political, military, or cultural in nature and can develop violently or peacefully. America, for instance, was colonized by various European countries, including France and England.

The English and French colonized America less for gold and more for reasons such as establishing a new life, distinct from their homeland. Typically, the English settlers stayed along the coast, while the French ventured into the forests to expand their commercial and religious frontiers.

Racism and Segregation in the Narrative

Mainly, it is important to differentiate between racism and segregation. Segregation consists of the separation...

Philip II: Architect of the Spanish Empire

In 1556, Charles V (Charles I of Spain) abdicated the throne. His son, Philip II, inherited all his territories, except Austria and the title of Emperor. In 1580, Philip II incorporated Portugal into the Crown of Castile.

Despite losing the imperial title, Philip II sought to maintain the hegemony of the Habsburgs in Europe through the economic and military strength of Castile. He also initiated numerous wars to challenge the Protestants and the Ottoman Empire.

Centralizing Power and Administration

To administer such a vast empire, Philip II centralized government and established Madrid as its capital. He utilized various government institutions to aid his rule and enhance his authority. The king never...

The Crusades: Expansion of Christianity in the Middle Ages

The Call to Arms

The expansion of Christianity during the Middle Ages extended beyond Europe to the eastern Mediterranean through a series of religious wars known as the Crusades. Occurring between the late 11th and early 13th centuries, these wars were sponsored by the papacy with the primary goal of reclaiming Jerusalem, the holy city, from Muslim control. In the 11th century, the papacy had compelling reasons to initiate an expedition against Muslims in the East. Such an endeavor would solidify the pope's claim as the leader of Christian society in the West. Furthermore, a significant theological rift had divided the Greek Church of Byzantium and the Roman Church of the West in 1054....

Humanism (15th and 16th Centuries)

The philosophy which introduced modern times by shifting from the Church-centered preoccupation of the Middle Ages to focus on the needs and aspirations of the individual. Instead of worrying about the afterlife, people concentrated on the here and now.

Johannes Gutenberg (1450)

He was the German goldsmith who developed movable type and the printing press. Printing led to a communications revolution and encouraged individualistic thinking and initiative, which became the cornerstone of today’s capitalist system.

Martin Luther (1520)

The German friar whose attempts to reform the Church led to the Protestant Reformation. His work resulted in a century of religious warfare, a permanent split within the faith, and...

In the post-Cold War era, NATO and the European Union (EU) faced significant challenges. From its inception in 1918, Yugoslavia had been subject to strong centrifugal tendencies. World War II resistance leader Josip Broz Tito restored Yugoslav unity, largely due to the unifying force of communist ideology. This delicate balance teetered after his death in 1980 and completely collapsed after January 1990.

Breakup of Yugoslavia and Early Conflicts

• In December 1990, Serbs elected Slobodan Milošević, who subsequently seized national assets on behalf of Serbia.
• Slovenia declared independence in December 1990.
• As fighting erupted over disputed territories with mixed populations, the presidents of the six republics failed to revive a loose confederation.