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

The Rise of the National Socialist Party

Not believing Germany lost the war, he joined the National Socialist German Workers' Party. Their core ideology was based on three pillars:

• 1. Society has to be united to make Germany a great nation.
• 2. A totalitarian state: prioritizing the interest and the good of the state.
• 3. Aryans (the master race) vs. non-Aryans.

Their ideas were racist, anti-Semitic, nationalist, anti-communist, and anti-democratic. In November 1923, the Nazis launched the Beer Hall Putsch, and Hitler was arrested.

Consolidation of Power and the Enabling Acts

Later, the party was reorganized as a fanatical mass movement. The Nazis became the biggest party. In 1933, Hitler was named Chancellor. The first act was to use the burning of...

The Holocaust

Exclusion (1933-1939)

The first measure was the exclusion of Jews from public life, preventing them from earning a living. Books written by Jews were burned. In 1935, Hitler introduced the Nuremberg Laws, which deprived Jews of their German citizenship and banned marriage between Germans and Jews.

Ghettoes (1939-1940)

These were closed-off city neighborhoods where all Jewish residents were required to live together. The main ghettos were in Poland.

Extermination (1941-1945)

Jews were killed in gas chambers and cremation ovens.

The Peace Settlement

Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945)

1) Yalta

• Germany would be divided into occupied zones.
• Stalin promised to hold free elections in Eastern Europe, although they never took place.
• The USSR would

Post-World War II Global Landscape

• End of World War II (1945): Emergence of USA and USSR as adversaries, leading to nuclear and military buildup.
• Ideological Divide: Capitalist West (USA, UK) vs. Communist East (USSR).
• Rise of New Superpowers: USA and USSR sought global leadership.
• Decolonization: Significant decolonization movements in Africa and Asia.
• Economic Regression: Widespread economic challenges in the post-war period.

Immediate Consequences of World War II

• United Nations Security Council: Established with 15 countries, including 5 permanent members (China, France, USSR, UK, USA) as the victors of WWII.
• Consolidation of Superpowers: USA and USSR solidified their positions as dominant global powers.
• Onset of the Cold War (1947-1991): A period

Understanding US Tax Contributions and Spending

We all appreciate receiving a paycheck, the temporary comfort of financial stability. However, we often dread seeing taxes deducted. Some may ask, "Where do our tax dollars go?" They fund our military, healthcare, schools, public facilities, and more. Taxes, in essence, ensure American citizens contribute back to their country. However, some of these funds support areas that could be better utilized to benefit the nation's populace.

For instance, tax dollars support prisons housing dangerous criminals who benefit from these funds. Additionally, funds may support military actions you may not personally endorse. There are numerous organizations within this country deserving of support over funding...

The Commonwealth Realm

The Commonwealth Realm is a group of 15 sovereign states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. These states have Queen Elizabeth II as their reigning constitutional monarch and share the same royal line of succession. They are part of the Commonwealth and were formerly part of the British Empire. The Commonwealth of Nations itself is an intergovernmental organization of 53 member states, most of which were territories of the former British Empire.

The British Empire

The British Empire comprised dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom.

Were All Countries in the Commonwealth Former British Colonies?

Commonwealth members are a diverse group. The...

1.1 The Rise of Right-Wing Governments (1934-1936)

1.1.1 Conservative Government's Rise to Power

A conservative government came to power and suspended previous government reforms.

In 1934, a general strike led to two significant events:

• A social revolution in Asturias
• Cataluña proclaiming itself an independent state

New elections were held in 1936.

1.1.2 The Popular Front Government

The Popular Front, comprised of various left-wing parties, won the 1936 elections and continued implementing the reforms that the previous government had suspended.

Protests erupted between Falangists, Socialists, Anarchists, and Communists.

In July 1936, a faction of the military rebelled against the government, initiating the Spanish Civil War.

1.2 The Spanish Civil War

Led...

1. Describe the reforms promoted by conservative (Maura) and liberal (Canalejas) politicians prior to 1917.

Antonio Maura promoted a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Spain. These included changes to laws related to taxes, voting, local administrations, and strikes. However, these measures did little to address the widespread corruption and election rigging that plagued the political system.

José Canalejas, a liberal politician, implemented reforms that aimed to limit the power of the Church, regulate employment, establish obligatory military service, and decentralize the Spanish government.

2. Which social groups played important roles in the protest movements of 1917? Why were they unhappy with the existing political system?

The protest...

International Relations (1947-1991)

Extreme Tension (1947-1956)

The Blockade of Berlin

Berlin was in the area occupied by the Soviets after the war. It was divided into four sectors: British, French, American, and Soviet. In 1948, the allies unified their areas of occupation. Stalin responded by blocking access to West Berlin. The allies provided the population with food and essential goods by means of airlifts. The blockade was ended in 1949.

The Korean War

After the war, the Korean peninsula was divided in half by the 38th parallel. The north had a communist government controlled by the USSR. The south had an anti-communist dictatorship under American control. The North started a war by invading the South. China and Russia supported the North,...

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

Causes:

This war was caused by the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire. Gradually, it developed into a more general conflict for European political dominance.

The Main Problem of the War and the Different Participants:

Protestants Uprising in Bohemia:

Some Protestant nobles expelled the Catholic rulers and appointed a Protestant King in Bohemia. The Emperor, who was also King of Bohemia, fought against them.

Two Sides Were Formed:

1. The Emperor had the support of the German Catholics and the Kings of Spain and Portugal.
2. The Protestants allied with German princes, but they were defeated.

Swedish Participation:

1. After the Surrender of Breda, the German Catholics took the Protestants' possessions,