World History

A period (18th-19th centuries) marking the shift from agrarian, feudal economies to industrialized, capitalist economies.
Technological Advancements: Inventions like the steam engine, spinning jenny, and mechanized looms revolutionized manufacturing and production.

Geography: Proximity to natural resources (coal, iron), waterways for transportation.
Economic Factors: Capital from colonial trade and agriculture, demand for goods.
Political Factors: Stable government, property rights protection, supportive legal system.
Technological and Scientific Innovations: Advancements in science and engineering.

Background: A conflict between the 13 American colonies and Britain, triggered by colonial resistance to British economic policies and governance.
Key Issues:
- No taxation without representation: Colonists protested against taxes imposed by Britain without their consent.
- Independence: Colonies sought self-governance and independence from British rule.
Outcome:
- Treaty of Paris (1783): Britain recognized the independence of the United States.
- Impact: Inspired other revolutionary movements, particularly in Europe and Latin America.

Causes: Social inequality, financial crises, influence of Enlightenment ideas, and discontent with the monarchy.
Key Phases:
- 1789: The storming of the Bastille symbolized the beginning of the revolution.
- Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Led by Robespierre, aimed at eliminating counter-revolutionaries.
- Rise of Napoleon: The revolution ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself emperor.
Impact: Abolition of feudalism, rise of nationalism, spread of revolutionary ideas.

Rise to Power: After the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in 1799 through a coup d’état and became Emperor of France.
Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815): A series of conflicts between France and various European coalitions.
Napoleon’s Downfall: Defeated at Waterloo (1815), leading to his exile and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy.

Emergence: Nationalism emerged as a powerful force in Europe during the 19th century, with populations seeking self-determination and unification of fragmented states.

Otto von Bismarck: Architect of German unification through “blood and iron” and strategic diplomacy.
Key Events:
- War with Denmark (1864), Austro-Prussian War (1866), and Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) culminated in the unification of Germany.

Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour led efforts to unite various Italian states under one kingdom.
Impact: Shift in the balance of power in Europe, leading to the formation of new nation-states.

A policy where stronger nations exert control over weaker territories, often through military force or political/economic dominance.
Colonialism vs. Imperialism:
- Colonialism: Direct control over a territory (e.g., British control over India).
- Imperialism: Broader concept involving economic and political control (e.g., exploitation of resources).
Motives for Imperialism: Economic exploitation, military dominance, social Darwinism, and the spread of culture or religion.

Causes: Militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Key Events:
- The Western Front: A bloody stalemate, marked by trench warfare.
- The Treaty of Versailles (1919): Officially ended the war, imposing harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses and reparations.

Bolshevik Revolution (October 1917): Led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrowing the Provisional Government.
Causes: Discontent with World War I, economic hardship, and social inequality.
Impact: Establishment of the Soviet Union (USSR) and the spread of communist ideology globally.

League of Nations: Established in 1920 to promote peace and prevent future conflicts but failed to prevent the rise of fascism and the outbreak of World War II.
Economic Depression (1930s): Global economic downturn leading to political instability and the rise of authoritarian regimes.

Mussolini’s Italy: Rise of fascism in Italy under Benito Mussolini, promoting aggressive nationalism and state control.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party: Promoted extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and expansionism, leading to the outbreak of World War II.
The Third Reich: Hitler’s authoritarian regime, marked by totalitarian control, persecution of Jews, and aggressive foreign policy.

Causes: The unresolved issues from World War I, Hitler’s expansionism, and rising tensions across Europe and Asia.
Key Events:
- Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor Attack, and the D-Day invasion.
- The Holocaust: The genocide of six million Jews and others by Nazi Germany.
Outcome:
- Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) were defeated by the Allies (US, USSR, UK, France).
- Establishment of the United Nations (1945).

Ideological Conflict: Between the capitalist West (led by the United States) and the communist East (led by the Soviet Union).
Key Features:
- NATO vs. Warsaw Pact: Military alliances formed by the two superpowers.
- Arms Race: Both superpowers raced to develop nuclear weapons.
Key Events:
- Korean War (1950-1953), Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), Vietnam War.
- Space Race: The US and USSR competed to achieve significant milestones in space exploration.

End of Colonial Empires: After WWII, former colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East gained independence.
Key Examples:
- India’s Independence (1947): Marked the beginning of large-scale decolonization.
- African Independence: Countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Algeria achieved independence from European powers.

End of the Cold War: The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War.
Causes:
- Economic inefficiency, internal dissent, and reform movements.
- The Gorbachev Reforms: Perestroika (economic restructuring) and Glasnost (political openness).
Impact: The USSR split into 15 independent republics, and Russia emerged as a major global power.