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

The Russian Revolution and the Rise of the USSR

• 1904–1905: Russo-Japanese War – Russia defeated; weakness of Tsarism exposed.
• 1905: Bloody Sunday – Peaceful protest crushed; break between Tsar and people.
• 1905: First Soviets created and Duma established (limited reforms).
• 1914: World War I – Economic collapse and military defeats.
• Feb 1917: February Revolution – "Peace, Bread and Land" strikes; Tsar Nicholas II abdicates.
• 1917: Provisional Government – Dual power with Soviets.
• April 1917: April Theses – Lenin calls for "All power to the Soviets."
• Oct 24–25, 1917: October Revolution – Bolsheviks seize Winter Palace; Kerensky overthrown.
• Oct 1917: Sovnarkom formed – Lenin introduces Peace Decree, Land Decree, nationalization, equality

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Bolsheviks

The Bolshevik movement arose during the crisis of the Tsarist Empire. Dissatisfaction at the political level was due to the autocratic government of the Tsars and led to political opposition made up of liberal bourgeois parties and Marxist revolutionary parties.

Soviets

Soviets were assemblies of workers and soldiers during the Russian Revolution.

USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

The USSR was created in 1912 (comprising Russia and Asian republics). It was organized as a federal state and adopted the NEP (New Economic Policy), which combined capitalist and communist policies.

Dawes Plan

This plan established a circular flow of payments designed to stabilize post-WWI reparations:

• The U.S. lent money to Germany to pay reparations.

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Economic Growth and Social Transformation (1957-1960s)

The technocrats prevailed, and members of Opus Dei assumed significant posts in Franco's 1957 cabinet. Measures proposed by these technocrats were incorporated into the Stabilization Plan of 1959, which aimed to:

• Curb inflation.
• Reduce government economic controls.
• Bring Spanish economic policies and procedures in line with European standards.

The plan laid the basis for Spain's remarkable economic transformation in the 1960s. During that decade, Spain's industrial production and standard of living increased dramatically. The effects were profound. Foreign investment entered the country, attracted by low production costs and the absence of trade union freedom. The stabilizing measures established...

The Regency of María Cristina (1833-1840)

Isabella II became Queen at only three years old. Consequently, her mother, María Cristina, became regent. The first government was very conservative, but the Carlist Wars (1833-1840) forced the regent to embrace liberalism. Initially, Maria Cristina supported moderate liberals, who implemented minor reforms.

Maria Cristina appointed Juan Álvarez Mendizabal as president. He:

• Abolished the Ancient Regime
• Implemented fiscal reforms
• Dissolved manorialism
• Initiated a disentailment of property and confiscation of Church property
• Abolished the Mesta and guilds

These changes triggered military uprisings, popular revolts, and the mutiny of "La Granja" in 1836, along with uprisings by liberals and complaints from...

Franco’s Dictatorship

1. Franco: Caudillo of Spain

He had all the power. He was Head of State, Head of Government, and the Supreme General of the Armed Forces. There was no division of power in Spain.

2. NO-DO

Noticiarios y documentales (NO-DO) was a state-controlled series of cinema newsreels in Spain (1943-1981). The NO-DO was watched by all citizens at the cinema, and it was full of one-sided (national) propaganda.

3. Sección Femenina

Sección Femenina was the female branch of the Falange, which guided the life of women.

4. Propaganda

Propaganda was strongly used by the National side, and thanks to the one used for the Referendum of 1947 (regarding the law of succession), Franco got power for life. Apart from that, he was given the right to choose...

Historical Vocabulary and Definitions

Key Terms of the 18th Century

Ancient Regime

The political and social system established in Europe during the 16^th and 18^th centuries. It was overthrown in 1789 by the French Revolution.

Holy Alliance

A pact celebrated on the initiative of Alexander I of Russia, between Austria, Russia, and Prussia, signed on September 26, 1815, in Paris, following the Battle of Waterloo.

Treaty of Utrecht

A peace agreement signed in 1713 between England and France to end the War of the Spanish Succession, which began in Europe in 1701. France agreed to compensate the British fur company in North America for losses suffered during the war.

Enlightenment

A cultural movement of philosophers in 17^th and 18^th century Europe. Philosophers...

16th Century Economy and Society

The economy prospered due to the riches obtained from the Americas, especially silver and gold.

• It enabled the kings to finance the numerous wars they were involved in throughout Europe, meaning that the majority of his wealth ended up outside the Iberian Peninsula.
• The arrival of metals enriched the nobility. They used the silver and gold to buy luxury products, but did not invest in production. Therefore, the majority of the population became poorer.
• The craft industry began to grow due to an increase in demand from the American territories. However, the rise in prices made Spanish products more expensive, and it became cheaper to buy them abroad.
• As they had more resources, the monarchs were able to begin more

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Causes of the February Revolution

The February Revolution was provoked by Russian military failures during the First World War, as well as public dissatisfaction with the way the country was run on the home front. The economic challenges faced due to fighting a total war also contributed.

Short-Term Triggers

• The Tsar being away from Petrograd
• Contempt for the Tsarina
• The army's mutiny against the Tsar's rule
• Unusually mild winter weather
• Demonstrations in support of the Duma
• The International Women's Day march
• Industrial unrest and strikes
• Announcement of bread rationing and food shortages in Petrograd

Tsar Nicholas II's Response

Nicholas sent the police and soldiers into Petrograd to end the unrest. They opened fire on more than 50 people, which some...

Regions and Peoples

Flanders

A Dutch-speaking area in the north of Belgium, and one of the three Belgian regions.

Brotherhood

The belief that people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in nationality, creed, or ethnicity.

Moriscos

Former Mudéjars (Muslims under Christian rule) who converted to Christianity.

Historical Events and Treaties

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty between Charles V and the forces of Lutheran princes on September 22, 1555.

Revolt of the Comuneros

An uprising in Castile from 1520 to 1521, where comuneros (participants) rebelled against the rule of Charles V.

Political and Economic Systems

Council of the Indies

The name given to two separate bodies associated with British rule in India at different...

The Rise of Islam

Origins and Expansion

Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula, where Arab farmers and traders worshipped multiple gods. Mecca served as their religious center. Muhammad, born in Mecca, emerged as a prophet of Allah (God). Despite facing persecution in Mecca for his teachings, Muhammad's message spread, marking the beginning of Islam.

In 622 CE, Muhammad's escape to Medina (the Hijra) marked the start of the Muslim era. He successfully converted the people of Medina, and by his death in 632 CE, a significant portion of the Arab population had embraced Islam.

The Koran and Islamic Society

The Koran, the sacred book of Islam, emphasizes the oneness of Allah. Islamic society's core principles, derived from the Koran, include:

• Allah'

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