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

WW1

This war was divided into two sides: Allied powers, triple entente (France, Russia, Britain) and central powers, triple Alliance (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria). They used propaganda to communicate with the people. There are main causes of World War One, four things specifically. First, militarism, arming and preparing for war. Second, Alliance, agreement to attack or defend. Third, imperialism, controlling territories and colonies. Finally, nationalist pride and supremacy. The events that passed in this war were, in 1914 Archduke's assassination, Russia mobilized its troops to defend Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia, France declared war on Germany to help Russia, and Germany declared war on France. In 1915, Germany... Continue reading "The Impact of WW1 and the Spanish Civil War" »

Fascism

Characteristics

• Totalitarianism
• Irrationalism
• Radical Nationalism
• Racism & Xenophobia
• Anti: Communism, Liberalism, Feminism
• Imperialism & Militarism
• Corporate State
• Capitalism
• Opposition to International Institutions

Causes

• Frustration (Treaty of Versailles)
• Post-War Crisis
• Bankruptcy of Liberal Parliamentary System (No Party Won Election)
• Irrationalism (Violence)

Timeline

1921

• PNF (National Fascist Party) founded by Benito Mussolini (Il Duce)

1922

• Blackshirts (paramilitary fascist militias) - March on Rome
• Victor Emmanuel III forms a new government with Mussolini in control

1925

• Assassination of Giacomo Matteotti (critic of fascist militias)
• Parliament dissolved and fascist dictatorship established (prohibition and control)

1929

• Crisis leads to a policy

ORIGINS, HISTORY & IDEOLOGY OF REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES

COMMON GROUND: REPUBLICANISM

A form of government where leaders are elected for a specific period by citizens. Key concepts include the importance of civic virtue, universal political participation, separation of powers (to avoid corruption), and political liberty.

First Political Division: The Constitution

The first political division centered around the Constitution, highlighting the differences between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

JEFFERSON OR HAMILTON?

At the root of two different visions regarding government and politics are two founding fathers and their views:

1. Jeffersonian View (3rd US President): Rejected the European path, favoring an agrarian democracy of small proprietors

He associates the union of the two crowns with the union of two people, this is, with a wedding. The world is the temple where the ceremony is celebrated; the priest is the king, who has allowed and built the union; the espoused pair are the two kingdoms (“realms”), England and Scotland; and the ring is the sea. Jonson is referring to the seas which surround the Island of Great Britain and keep it together as a whole, with no distinction between North and South.

However, the union of the two crowns did not go as far as it could have. The two countries remained distinct, with different politics and administration, only sharing the same king. Under James’ rule, the Parliament passed an act that recognised the Presbyterian Kirk (Church) as... Continue reading "The Union of Crowns: England, Scotland, and the Reign of James I" »

The First World War: Defining the Great Conflict (1914–1918)

The war fought between July 28, 1914, and November 11, 1918, was known at the time as the Great War, the War to End War, and (in the United States) the European War. Only when the world went to war again in the 1930s and 1940s did the earlier conflict become known as the First World War (WWI).

Unprecedented Scale and New Technologies

WWI's casualty totals were unprecedented, soaring into the millions. The conflict is known for the extensive system of trenches from which men of both sides fought. Lethal new technologies were unleashed, and for the first time, a major war was fought not only on land and at sea but also below the sea and in the skies.

The Belligerents: Allies vs. Central

Maria Skłodowska's Formative Years in Warsaw

Maria Skłodowska was born in Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, on November 7, 1867. She was the fifth and youngest child of well-known teachers, Bronisława née Boguska, and Władysław Skłodowski. Maria's elder siblings were Zofia (born 1862, nicknamed Zosia), Józef (born 1863, nicknamed Józio), Bronisława (born 1865, nicknamed Bronia), and Helena (born 1866, nicknamed Hela).^[13][14][15]

A Legacy of Patriotism and Hardship

On both paternal and maternal sides, the family had lost their property and fortunes through patriotic involvement in Polish national uprisings aimed at restoring Poland's independence, the most recent being the January Uprising of 1863–65.^[16] This condemned the... Continue reading "Maria Skłodowska's Formative Years: Warsaw to Scientific Ambition" »

The Rise of Fascism

A. Causes of Fascism

1. Dissatisfaction with peace agreements after World War I.
2. Post-war crises: economic depression, unemployment, inflation, and social unrest, which fueled revolutionary movements and frightened conservative sectors of society.

B. Creation of Fascism in Italy

Benito Mussolini, a journalist, spearheaded the fascist movement in Italy.

C. Foundation of the Fascist Party (1921)

Mussolini's fascist party used parliamentary groups to suppress the workers' movement, including groups like the Italian Combat Squad and the Blackshirts.

D. Support for Fascism

Fascism gained support from large landowners, the petite bourgeoisie, the Church, and King Emmanuel III.

E. Fascist Paramilitary Groups

The Fascist party organized paramilitary... Continue reading "The Rise of Fascism and World War II" »

Spain: The Reign of Isabel II (1833-1868)

The reign of Isabel II marked the end of absolutism in Spain and the establishment of a liberal and constitutional monarchy.

Characteristics of the Reign

The reign had 8 characteristics:

1. When Isabel II was a child, 2 regents governed in her place:
   • Mª Cristina (her mother)
   • Espartero (army officer)
2. The royal power was limited by the constitution.
3. Isabel had the support of 2 liberal political parties:
   • The moderate party: who defended a stronger monarchy.
   • The progressive party: who wanted to limit royal power.
4. New constitutions were proposed and limited suffrage was established.
5. The military participated in politics, forming part of the government and staging revolts to obtain more power.
6. Different Carlist wars broke

The Consequences of the War

The conflict caused:

• 55 million deaths
• A huge number of wounded military personnel
• Civilian victims

In 1945, conferences were held at Yalta (February) and Potsdam (July-August) at which the leaders of the Allies discussed the redrawing of the frontiers of Europe.

• Germany was divided into occupation zones. Berlin was divided into four military territories (British, French, Soviet, and American).
• Italy was occupied by Anglo-American armies.
• Japan was occupied by the United States.
• The USSR enlarged its frontiers and occupied various countries in Eastern Europe.

Europe’s prewar hegemony was replaced by a new international order led by the two main powers, the USA and the USSR. The UN (United Nations) was created to maintain... Continue reading "World War II: Consequences and Cultural Shifts (1919-1945)" »

Post-World War I Diplomacy: Conferences and Treaties (1921-1933)

Key International Agreements

Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922)

Following Japan's expansion in battleship construction, the USA became concerned about naval power in the Pacific. The Washington Naval Treaty stipulated that the Japanese Navy's size could not exceed three-fifths that of the U.S. Navy, aiming to limit naval arms and prevent an arms race.

The Genoa Conference (1922)

This conference proved to be a complete failure. Germany requested more time to pay its war reparations, but France, in urgent need of the funds, refused the request.

The Treaty of Rapallo (1922)

Signed by Germany and the USSR, this 10-year treaty established an alliance between the two nations. It allowed... Continue reading "Post-World War I Diplomacy: Shaping European Peace" »