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

The Cold War: Key Policies and Events

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. Here's a look at some key events and policies:

The Truman Doctrine

Introduced in 1947 by President Harry Truman, the Truman Doctrine aimed to defend democracies against the spread of communism.

The Marshall Plan

Also introduced in 1947, the Marshall Plan was designed to help European countries rebuild their economies after World War II.

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Established in 1949, NATO is a military alliance between the USA and Western Bloc countries.

The Warsaw Pact

Formed in 1955, the Warsaw Pact was a military alliance between the USSR and Eastern Bloc countries, including...

The Age of Enlightenment

The Age of Enlightenment was a cultural and intellectual movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century. It was an era in intellectual, scientific, and cultural life where reason was regarded as the primary source of legitimacy and authority.

Philosophers of the Enlightenment

Key figures of the Enlightenment included:

• Voltaire
• Rousseau
• Montesquieu
• Diderot
• D'Alembert

These thinkers built upon the ideas of Descartes, Hobbes, and Locke.

Social Contract, National Sovereignty, and Separation of Powers

Rousseau argued that the social contract is an agreement individuals willingly enter to limit their own freedom for the benefit of society.

Montesquieu, inspired by the English parliamentary system, believed...

Germany

Weimar Republic

Economy

As the chart shows, parliamentary representation of certain groups declined as the Nazis took control of Germany and the country's economy began to deteriorate. However, from 1930, their representation began to increase, and with the establishment of capitalism, the economy improved until it collapsed (we can see a small dip in November 1932) and then recovered.

Key Events

Reichstag Fire

An arson attack on the Reichstag building on February 27, 1933, which resulted in the German parliament building burning down.

Night of the Long Knives

The night between June 30 and July 1, 1934, when Adolf Hitler, Gregor Strasser, Ernst Röhm, and Herman Göring were victims of a purge.

Night of Broken Glass

The night between November...

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:

The Spanish Monarchy could not maintain its dominance over England, France, and the Netherlands. The royal treasury (Hacienda) was deeply in debt, and resources from the Americas were not effectively utilized. A few privileged social groups dominated society, living off land rents and failing to stimulate a productive economy.

Internal Weaknesses and Economic Decline

• Monarchs' Disinterest and Delegation

  Monarchs showed little interest in governance, prioritizing personal income and prestige. They dedicated their time to hunting, palace receptions, and other leisure activities. They delegated their functions to their validos (royal favorites), who acted as heads of government.

• Corruption and Inefficient Administration

  Many validos exploited their

What was the social structure of cities? As during all the Middle Ages, there were big differences among the population.

The Upper Classes

The upper classes were formed by two groups.

• The upper nobility continued having their privileges, and some moved to the cities and lived in palaces.
• A new social class emerged: the wealthy bourgeoisie. These were the rich merchants, bankers and leaders of the important guilds. This group normally formed the city government.

The Lower Classes

The lower classes were formed by the rest of the population.

• The commoners formed the majority. There were small craftsmen, merchants and servants. They lived modestly.
• The lower nobility also belonged to this group. As they didn't work and didn't possess any land, they were

Understanding Feudalism: Essential Terms

Vassalage (Vasallaje)

The position of subordination or submission within the feudal system, where a vassal holds land from a lord in exchange for allegiance and service.

Fiefdom (Feudo)

An area of land possessed by a nobleman in exchange for feudal service to a lord.

Serfdom (Servidumbre)

The state of being a serf or feudal laborer, bound to the land and subject to the will of the lord.

Homage (Homenaje)

Special honor or respect shown publicly, often as a formal pledge of allegiance from a vassal to a lord.

Investiture (Investidura)

The formal action of investing a person with honors or rank, particularly in the context of granting a fief or office.

Feudal Lord (Señor Feudal)

The superior figure in feudal Europe,...

1921 Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party

and proclaimed himself the leader. Fascism: support of the board of the social sector, renew Italy. 1922 blackshirts (paramilitary militias) undertook Rome. King Victor Emanuel III entrusted him to form a new government. Mussolini has social, political cultural, politics, economy, society power.

1925 assassination of Matteotti = the Parliament dissolved

, fascism dictatorship installed. Crisis in 1929 unemployment- Public Works/ imperialist expansion by the state = good propaganda

1930 Italy allied with Germany

The Treaty of Versailles pulled Germany into misery. Violent political and social situation = Nazis party led by Adolf Hitler 1933 enormous inflation lead to nowhere. Munich Putsch- I failed...

World War I: The Great War

Causes and Outbreak

World War I, known as the Great War in Britain, erupted in 1914 as a result of pre-existing alliances. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo triggered a chain of events. Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia, prompting Russia to mobilize in Serbia's defense. Germany, in turn, declared war on Russia and France. Britain, bound by treaty to France, joined the conflict.

First Phase (June 1914)

Despite declaring war on Germany, France and Britain initially refrained from attacking. Germany seized the initiative, executing the Schlieffen Plan. They invaded Belgium, intending to bypass French defenses and capture Paris.

Second Phase (Early 1916 - End 1917)

The war entered a phase...

World War I was the first global conflict since the Industrial Revolution, and with it came a new generation of weapons. The causes of the First World War are heterogeneous, but their combination led to the start of the Great War in 1914, ending in 1918. Among the causes of the First World War are the following: Militarism, Imperialism, Nationalism, and Alliances. The Treaty of Versailles points to Germany as responsible for the war. Surely it wasn't the only responsible party, but Germany's actions were the ones that led to the war. The truth is that once the war was ending, all the responsibility for its beginning fell on Germany, and this was reflected in writing in Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). This was the first peace...