Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for History for Primary education

Underlying Causes of the Conflict

As a primary factor, the border problem between Chile and Bolivia emerged. Chile claimed territory up to the 23rd parallel (north of Mejillones), while Bolivia's claim extended to the 26th parallel. Although a difference of three parallels might seem minor, it covered thousands of square miles. Further north, the land encompassing Iquique and Arica belonged to Peru.

The Importance of Nitrate Wealth

The rich nitrate deposits covering the land of Antofagasta, which was then owned by Bolivia, were exploited by foreign capital, primarily Chilean companies. This situation led to significant differences between the two countries until a treaty was signed in 1866. This agreement established that the boundary between...

The Transformation of the Soviet Union (1928–1941)

Joseph Stalin transformed the Soviet Union between 1928 and 1941 through radical economic and social changes. He prioritized rapid industrial growth and forced agricultural reform to strengthen the nation. However, he relied on violence, fear, and propaganda to achieve his objectives. Although Stalin modernized the Soviet Union, his leadership is widely condemned because his methods caused widespread suffering and mass death.

Industrialization and Agricultural Reform

Stalin implemented major changes to both industry and agriculture:

• Five-Year Plans: Stalin set aggressive production targets for electricity, coal, oil, pig iron, and steel to build a robust industrial economy.
• Collectivization: Small

Essential Historical and Political Definitions

This section provides crucial definitions related to global history, politics, and economics:

• Disparity: Lack of similarity or equality.
• Locomotive: A self-propelled, vehicular engine.
• Regionalism: Government systems based on specific regions.
• Centralized State: Government systems administered through a central governing body.
• Liberal: Supporting individual freedom and rights.
• Conservative: Supporting traditional values and institutions.
• Zaibatsus: Large monopolies dominating industries, particularly in pre-WWII Japan.
• Barrage: A concentrated bombardment or outpouring.
• Mercantile: Relating to trade and commerce.
• Mutiny: Open rebellion against authorities.
• Concessions: Rights or privileges granted in response

First Period of Francoism (1939-1959)

Political Isolation and Repression

• Politics: During the first years (until 1945), there was a strong relationship with the Axis powers: Italy and Germany.
• After WWII, Spain was isolated. The UN declared Spain a totalitarian regime.
• There was only one political party: Falange Española y de las JONS.
• The era was marked by strong repression.
• Opposition remained hidden in the mountains, known as the Maquis.

Economic Autarchy and the Black Market

• Economy: The system of Autarchy meant Spain was isolated economically, which meant that it could not export or import any products.
• The primary sector was the most important. Except for Catalonia and the Basque Country, other regions earned their living through agriculture,

Prelude to Revolution

In February 1917, a massive demonstration in Petrograd sparked a general strike and barracks riots. The Tsar abdicated, and a provisional government, dominated by bourgeois parties, took power.

The Provisional Government

The provisional government promised to establish a parliamentary democracy but remained committed to the war effort. This hindered promised reforms and exacerbated popular discontent.

Rise of the Soviets

The Soviets, workers' councils, demanded the government's dismissal and withdrawal from the war. The unity that had fueled the revolution began to fracture, creating a duality of power between the provisional government and the Soviets.

The Bolshevik Revolution

On October 25, 1917, the Bolsheviks, supported by...

The Pivotal 1960 Presidential Election

The election of 1960 was one of the closest elections in American history.

The Candidates and Campaign Dynamics

• Republican Insider: Richard Nixon, who served as Vice President for eight years under Dwight Eisenhower.
• Democratic Newcomer: John F. Kennedy (JFK), a senator from Massachusetts. At age 43, he stood to become the youngest person ever elected President.

Major Campaign Issues

Age was not the only factor. Kennedy was also Roman Catholic, and no Catholic had ever been elected President before. To mollify these concerns, Kennedy addressed a group of Protestant ministers, pledging a solid commitment to the separation of church and state.

Kennedy also stressed his character, assisted by those in the press...

1. Fascism and Nazism

1.1 The Fascist Regime in Italy

1921: Mussolini forms the National Fascist Party.

1922: With the support of King Victor Emmanuel III, Mussolini becomes prime minister.

1925: Mussolini establishes a dictatorship.

• Bans other political parties and persecutes opponents.
• Implements public works programs to reduce unemployment.
• Expands Italy's colonial empire by invading Abyssinia in 1935.

1.2 Nazi Germany

1920s: Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party.

1934: Hitler establishes the Third Reich.

• Bans other political parties and trade unions.
• Creates the Gestapo to eliminate opposition.
• Implements public works programs to address unemployment.
• Pursues an expansionist foreign policy to regain lost territory.
• Promotes the idea of German racial

The Age of Johnson

1744-1785, often referred to as The Age of Sensibility.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), poet, critic, and author of fiction, is the namesake for this period in literature. Johnson wielded considerable influence over this era with works that focused on neoclassical aesthetics (the study of natural and artistic beauty with an eye toward the great classical writers). Johnson and his fellow writers placed great emphasis on the values of the Enlightenment which stressed the importance of using knowledge, not faith and superstition, to enlighten others, and led to the expansion of many social, economic, and cultural areas including astronomy, politics, and medicine. Writers of the Age of Johnson focused on the qualities of intellect,...

1. Iron Curtain: Division of Europe into mostly democratic (west) and communist (east)

2. Containment: Foreign policy, Harry Truman blocked Soviet influence to stop the spread of communism

3. Brinkmanship: Policy under Eisenhower where our country would go to the edge of war

4. Castro: Cuban Communist dictator

5. Nikita Khrushchev: Took over after Stalin

6. JFK: President 1960-1963 and during Cuban missile crisis

7. Douglas MacArthur: General of UN troops in Korean War

8. Domino Theory: Idea that if one country becomes Communist, others will follow

9. UN: Organization of nations to solve world problems

10. Marshall Plan: US assisted West Europe by providing food, machinery, and materials

11. Cold War: Communist (USSR) vs democracy (America)

12. Warsaw Pact: Alliance of USSR with other Eastern

Justinian and the Restoration of Roman Law

Justinian determined to restore the former glory of the empire by recovering the city of Rome. The lawyers he employed to compile the Corpus Juris Civilis came from the Eastern half of the Empire, and were Greek speakers.

Germanic Kingdoms and Roman Traditions

Germanic Tribes and Roman Influence

The major Germanic Tribes—Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, and Burgundians—admired Roman traditions and were Christians.

Germanic peoples were ready to adapt many of the institutions with which they had come into contact; written law particularly impressed them. Many legal codes were written in Latin for Romans living under Germanic rule, such as the Edictum Theodorici, which also applied to Germans.

Legal Development