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

Key Events Leading to World War II

• 1919: The Treaty of Versailles is signed.
• 1924: Hitler writes "Mein Kampf," outlining his plans.
• 1939: The Global Depression, triggered by the Wall Street crash, helps dictators rise to power.
• 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor and begins to rebuild his army in secret.
• 1935: Abyssinia invasion: The League of Nations fails.
• 1936: The Rhineland is reoccupied.
• 1936-1939: The Spanish Civil War (Germany rehearses arms and aircraft).
• 1936: Rome-Berlin Axis: Hitler-Mussolini Alliance.
• 1938: Anschluss, the annexation of Austria into Germany.
• 1938: Munich Agreement (Hitler sought more power and territories).
• 1939: Nazis invade Czechoslovakia.
• 1939: The Nazi-Soviet Pact.
• 1939: Invasion of Poland.

World War II: Major Events

• 1939-9: Nazi

Between 1814-1815 the powers that defeated Napoleon (United Kingdom, Austria, Prussia, and Russia) met at the Congress of Vienna, with two objectives:

• Restore the old regime

They returned to their thrones the monarchs that Napoleon had deposed.

• Rebuild the political map of Europe

France returned to its limits of 1791 and the territories were divided, without counting on some towns.

It was agreed to convene congresses, where diplomatically conflicts between countries would be resolved and intervention was authorized in those countries threatened by a revolution.

• Two alliances were created to ensure the established order:

• The Holy Alliance formed by Austria, Russia, and Prussia
• The Quadruple Alliance formed by Austria, Russia, Prussia, and United Kingdom

New

Global Colonial Powers and Their Influence

United Kingdom

Trade Routes and Territories

• Gibraltar
• Malta
• Suez Canal
• Singapore
• Maldives

African Influence

• Egypt
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• South Africa

Pacific Influence

• Australia
• New Zealand

Asian Influence

• India
• Malaysia
• Myanmar (Burma)

American Influence

• Canada
• Caribbean

France

African Influence

• Maghreb: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Senegal, Madagascar, Guinea

Asian Influence

• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Laos

Germany

African Influence

• Namibia
• Tanzania

Oceanian Influence

• Marquesas Islands
• Caroline Islands
• Mariana Islands

Netherlands

• Indonesia
• Suriname
• Dutch Antilles

Portugal

African Influence

• Angola
• Mozambique

Asian Influence

• Macau

Belgium

• Congo

Italy

• Libya
• Somalia

United States of America

• Hawaii
• Puerto Rico
• Caribbean

Japan

• Korea
• Taiwan

Spain

• Morocco
• Western Sahara

Key

Tyranny

Tyranny is a form of government in which the ruling power is in the hands of an individual who has seized control, often by illegal means. The word tyranny comes from the Greek word tyrannos, which means "usurper with supreme power." Over time, a person who ruled by tyranny, or a tyrant, became known for holding onto power by cruel, abusive means.

Democracy

A democracy is a form of government in which the ruling power is in the hands of all people. The word democracy comes from the Greek terms demos (meaning people) and kratos (meaning power).

Oligarchy

An oligarchy is a form of government in which the ruling power is in the hands of a few leaders. The word oligarchy comes from the Greek terms oligos (meaning few) and arkhein (meaning rule)...

The Progressive Biennium (1854–1856)

• The Progressive Liberals resorted to a military coup d'état to access power when the political system and the prestige of the monarchy weakened.
• New President of the Government: Espartero, with the help of the Unionist General O'Donnell.
• Confiscation and privatization of civil and communal assets (fostered by Minister of Economy, Madoz, in 1855).
• General Railway Law (1855).

The Final Years of Isabella II (1856–1868)

• Power was held alternately by the Moderates of Narváez and the Unionists of O'Donnell.

• Moderate Policies

  • Creation of an educational system (the Moyano Law), regulating primary education.
  • Colonialist foreign policy: campaigns in Morocco, Indochina, and Mexico.

• Growing Opposition

  • Growing opposition

The Great War: Defining Total Conflict

The war of 1914–1918 had such a profound impact on European society and involved so many countries and people that it was called the Great War. It is considered the first example of a new type of conflict: a "Total War." This designation meant the conflict had virtually no restrictions regarding the weapons used, or the territory and people involved.

The Involvement of the Civilian Population

A new type of national army emerged as a result of the revolutions of the 19th century. Instead of using mercenaries or volunteers, mandatory enlistment (conscription) meant the participation of the majority of the male civilian population of army recruitment age. In this way, war affected the entire population, as...

The Normandy landings were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of German-occupied France (and later Western Europe) and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.

Strategic Planning and Military Deception

Planning for the operation began in 1943. In the months leading up to the invasion, the Allies conducted a substantial military deception, codenamed Operation Bodyguard, to mislead the Germans as to the date and location of the main Allied landings. The weather on D-Day was far from ideal,...

Bolsheviks: Origins and Ideology

The Bolsheviks were a Russian socialist party that supported Marxism-Leninism. Their ideology held that it was possible to perform a revolution and establish a socialist regime without waiting for the collapse of capitalism. In 1918, they renamed themselves the Communist Party. Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks. He played an important role in the Revolution of 1905 but was forced into exile in Switzerland until his return to Russia in April 1917.

The October Revolution of 1917

The October Revolution was the second phase of the internal revolt that occurred in Russia in 1917. It was organized by the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin. This revolution was essentially a coup against the Russian Republic created...

What landforms stretches from the Atlantic coast and Eastern Europe?

Northern European plain

The leading agricultural producer in the European Union is

France

Germany's economy is based on

Industry

What landform covers much of Switzerland and Austria

Mountains

West Central Europe's Marine West Coast climate is a key natural resource for

Farming

During World War II France and the Benelux countries were invaded by

Germany

The Benelux countries are all

densely populated

The Dutch have used dikes and other technology to

Create polders

A highly urbanized and industrialized area of the Netherlands is called

Rotterdam

What industry employs more than half of Austria's workforce?

Service

Belgium has been troubled by regional conflicts over

Language and other cultural issues

Switzerland

Does...