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

Winston Churchill's Leadership During World War II

1. Early Challenges and Controversies

In fact, Churchill's job was to ensure the safe arrival of British merchant ships, which were hunted down by German U-boats. However, instead of listening to the key experts at the Navy, Churchill decided to seek out and attack the U-boats, leaving the merchant ships without protection. To convince the public that the British Navy was on top of the U-boat threat, Churchill publicly lied, claiming that the British Navy managed to sink half of the U-boats sent by Germany, while knowing for a fact that they had only sunk 9 out of 57 U-boats. When his claims were questioned or challenged by experts on German submarines, Churchill fired them. Churchill's ruthless... Continue reading "Winston Churchill's Leadership in WWII" »

Los términos bipolarización y Guerra Fría, que están bastante relacionados, se utilizan para definir la división del mundo después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial en la que dos bloques antagónicos y las relaciones creadas entre ellos. Los bloques eran:

a) Uno liderado por Estados Unidos, o bloque occidental, capitalista, democrático o norteamericano.

b) Otro liderado por la URSS, bloque oriental, comunista o bloque soviético.

En este contexto, cada bloque intenta:

a) Mantener su área de influencia con intervenciones constantes para equilibrar la influencia del bloque oponente en esta área.

b) Amenazar al oponente mediante una carrera creciente de armamento, incluyendo armas nucleares.

c) El equilibrio militar y de armamento (equilibrio del... Continue reading "La bipolarización y la Guerra Fría" »

Chapter 13

1. Manifest Destiny (Z): The belief that American expansion westward was divinely sanctioned.
2. John O’Sullivan (Q): Newspaper editor who coined the term "manifest destiny."
3. Mountain Men (K): American fur trappers who blazed western trails.
4. Donner Party (C, L): Group stranded on their way to California, resorting to cannibalism due to their own mistakes and poor decisions.
5. John Charles Fremont (B): Known as "The Pathfinder," he encouraged westward migration with reports of his explorations.
6. American Settlers (M): Settled in Texas for fertile, inexpensive land, causing concern for the Mexican government.
7. Anglo Texans (G): Rebelled against Mexico due to fears of slave emancipation.
8. Battle of the Alamo (D): A costly victory for the Mexicans.
9. Sam

1492 (Colon discovered America)

1701-1713 (Spanish War of Succession)

1750 (Industrial revolution started)

1766 (Matxinada of Azpeitia and Azkoitia, Wheat)

1780-1850 (1st industrial revolution)

18th century (Enlightenment ideas)

1789 (The French revolution started + tome the bastille)

1791 (Women rights)

1792 (French republic was established + The war of convention)

1793 (Louis XVI was guillotined)

1799-1804 (Consolate)

1804-1814 (Directory)

1812 (The 1st constitution of Spain was established)

1815 (The congress of Vienna)

1820, 1830, 1848 (The revolution in Europe, 1848 spring of nation)

1850-1945 (2nd industrial revolution)

1874 (The Spanish first republic)

1914 (Assassination in Sarajevo)

1914-1918 (WW1)

1917 (Russian Revolution)

1919 (Treaty of Versailles)... Continue reading "Key Events in Modern History" »

Camel Racing in the Gulf: A History and Evolution

Origins and Popularity

Camel racing has a long-standing tradition in the Gulf States, dating back to ancient times. Traditionally, races were held to mark special occasions such as weddings and celebrations.

In the 1960s, with the influx of oil wealth, the ruling sheiks of Abu Dhabi recognized the importance of preserving this cultural heritage. To maintain its popularity, they introduced lucrative cash prizes for winning camel owners.

The Rise of Child Jockeys

As camel racing became more competitive, owners sought faster times. This led to the illegal trafficking of children from impoverished communities in South Asia and Africa to serve as jockeys.

These children faced harsh conditions: they were... Continue reading "Camel Racing in the Gulf: From Child Jockeys to Robotic Innovations" »

The Berlin Wall: A History

The Berlin Wall was built by the communist government of East Berlin in 1961. The wall separated East Berlin and West Berlin. It was built in order to prevent people from fleeing East Berlin. In many ways, it was the perfect symbol of the "Iron Curtain" that separated the democratic western countries and the communist countries of Eastern Europe throughout the Cold War.

Division of Germany

After World War II, Germany ended up dividing into two separate countries. East Germany became a communist country under the control of the Soviet Union. At the same time, West Germany was a democratic country and allied with Britain, France, and the United States. The initial plan was that the country would eventually be reunited,... Continue reading "Berlin Wall: History and Fall of a Divided Germany" »

Ancien Régime and the Transition to Parliamentary Monarchy

Understanding the Ancien Régime

The Ancien Régime was a system characterized by:

• Political Absolutism: Kings and queens held absolute power.
• Social Hierarchy: Society was divided into estates with unequal privileges.
• Subsistence Economy: The economy focused on meeting basic needs.
• Cultural and Religious Influence: Culture and religion served the ruling class.

Factors Leading to Change

Several factors contributed to the decline of Absolutism and the rise of Parliamentary Monarchy:

• Bourgeoisie and Peasants: The bourgeoisie criticized the privileges of nobles and clergy, advocating for social recognition based on merit. Peasants opposed the manorial system and excessive taxes.
• Economic Challenges:

SBQ: United Nations

1. UNGA

• Characteristics

> 193 members with one vote each → equality

> Tendency for voting groups/blocs/alliances, especially with superpower rivalry

> Composition of members will determine if a resolution is passed

> Struggle for power between the GA and SC in issues of peace and security

• 45-60: pro-West (Cold War context)

> Growth of GA

> Accelerating decolonization

> Increased influence, bypassing SC with Uniting for Peace Resolution in 1950

> Can recommend the use of force

> Easier for the US to push its own agendas

• 65-91: anti-West (↑ Third World, decolonization, pro-Soviet)

> 3rd world own agenda, members were unstable, poor & socially divided

• Post 1991: open universal membership

> Marginalization... Continue reading "Understanding the United Nations: Key Bodies and Functions" »