Key Concepts and Events of the Age of Revolutions
1. The Enlightenment
A) Origin
In what century and in what country did it begin?
- France, 18th Century
B) Characteristics and Definition
State three characteristics of the Enlightenment or give a definition:
- Anthropocentrism
- Humanism
- Scientific Method
C) Key Thinkers: Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau
- Montesquieu: Defended the separation of powers.
- Voltaire: Defended a strong monarchy which respects civil liberties.
- Rousseau: Believed human beings are naturally good.
D) Define Encyclopedia
A comprehensive work
Read MoreDesegregation, Economic Boom, and Cold War Conflicts (1940s–1960s)
Civil Rights Pioneers and Political Divisions
7.3.2: Early Civil Rights Leaders and Ideological Conflicts
- Which African American player helped desegregate the sport of baseball?
- Jackie Robinson
- Which African American leader visited the Soviet Union and felt welcome there?
- Paul Robeson
- Which African American baseball pioneer fought racism by personal achievement?
- Jackie Robinson
- How did A. Philip Randolph get President Truman to change the way the military treated its Black soldiers?
- He threatened to organize
The Great Depression: Causes, Global Impact, and Recovery Strategies
The Great Depression: Origins and Initial Impact
The 1929 Wall Street Crash triggered a worldwide depression. The collapse was driven by several factors:
- Stock speculation and market instability.
- Severe economic inequality.
- Weak financial regulation.
- Excessive private debt.
Following the crash, prices and trade dropped drastically, industrial output fell by over 30%, and unemployment reached 25% in many Western countries.
The Crisis in the United States
Widespread US banking failures wiped out savings.
Read MoreThe Reign of Isabel II and Spain’s First Republic (1833–1874)
Isabel II: The Reign of the Queen (1833–1868)
The Triumph of Liberalism (1833–1844)
As Isabel II was a minor, there was a period of regency. The first ruler was Maria Cristina, her mother. This coincided with the First Carlist War, and to win, she allied with the Liberals.
The Liberals were divided into two groups:
- Moderates: Advocated for limited reforms.
- Progressives: Advocated for deep reforms.
Maria Cristina initially empowered the Moderates, but later yielded to the Progressives following protests.
Read MoreThe Transformation of Spain: Francoism, 1939–1975
Stages of the Franco Dictatorship (1939–1975)
The political and social evolution of Franco’s regime can be divided into distinct stages:
- 1939–1942: The Blue Stage. Characterized by the predominance of the Falange (Phalanx) party.
- 1943–1957: National Catholicism. The dominant traditionalist ideology.
- 1957–1969: The Domain of Opus Dei. Marked by the rise of technocrats.
- 1970–1975: The Final Years. The period where political instability was compounded by economic crisis.
Political Developments
Read MoreFernando VII’s Reign: Absolutism, Liberalism, and Spanish Crisis (1814–1833)
Fernando VII: Restoration and Conflict (1814)
The Restoration began in Europe after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The absolute monarchs regained their thrones and agreed to the right of intervention in those countries experiencing a liberal revolution. After the War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty of Valençay, Fernando VII was able to regain the Spanish throne. Although he was expected to rule as a constitutional monarch, upon arrival, he disobeyed the Cortes (Parliament) because
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