-
Commodore Matthew Perry opens Japan for Trade (Industrialization and the World Economy #1)
Perry, a high ranking official in the Navy had gone Japan to demand negotiations with the Japanese Emperor to open up ports for trade. Knowing that Japan's cities could not defend against naval invasion, the Emperor had reluctantly gave way to 2 ports, which would soon spiral to many more after a series of treaties that would follow this occasion. -
Meiji Restoration in Japan (Industrialization and the World Economy #5)
These were a series of events led by Emperor Meiji in order to restore practical imperial rule. It brought Japan political unity and stability, and also brought greater industrialization to the country. -
Completion of Suez Canal (Industrialization and the World Economy #2)
Interestingly enough, this date was 4 years behind schedule due to labor disputes and a cholera epidemic. Nevertheless, it connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and was/still is a major canal in Egypt. It would have a big impact on trade today (50 ships daily, 300+ million tons goods annually), and before that, it would play a large part in determining the conquering of Africa (especially for Britain) -
Creation of the Three Emperor's League (The First World War #1)
A first step in the preseveration of peace after the Franco-Prussian war, this league linked the monarchs of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia in a conservative alliance against radical
revolution. -
Berlin Conference (Industrialization and the World Economy #4)
Called for by Portugal, and organized by Otto von Bismarck. this was the formal discussion for the "Scramble for Africa". It resulted in the taking of most of Africa by European colonies whether it be for "imperialistic" or publicly approved "enlightenment" of savage customs. Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Portugal were the participants -
"Hundred days of Reform" in China (Industrialization and the World Economy #6)
Following the Sino-Chinese war, this was China's attempt at renovating the Chinese state and social system. It called for Western-Style industrialization while maintaining a Eastern culture and heritage. -
U.S takes over Phillipenes (Industrialization and the World Economy #3)
The U.S signs the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Spanish-American War of 1898 with U.S victory. This would lead to Spain's cession of their colony of the Philippines(for 20 million, although the were able to get Puerto Rico, Guam for free and Cuba as proctorate), and would be the U.S.A's first oversea's territory -
Kipling "The White Man's Burden" (Industrialization and the World Economy #7)
An important poem in history for understanding cultural imperialism, it was essentially a document that proclaims how the white man is "burdened" with having to take care and rule over undeveloped societies until they themselves can effectively rule by "social" standards. This was essentially the moral justification for superiority of the white ma -
Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" (Industrialization and the World Economy #8)
This was a book, written with the author's own African experience in mind, to illustrate the beliefs of people as far as what constitutes a barbaric vs. civilized society. It is told through the eyes of Charles Marlow, who is transporting ivory down the Congo River in Central Africa. -
Imperialism: A Study by Hobson (Industrialization and the World Economy #9)
Hobson had taken a bold stance for his time, by actually disagreeing with the philosophies of imperialism. In his discourse, he argued that imperialism was born from capitalism, but could be separated into its own thing, and does not have a reason to exist. The capitalist economy could stay, but imperialism can and should be abolished, as it is economically and morally unjustified as a long term solution for profit. -
Period: to
The First Balkan War (The First World War #2)
Due to the tension created by nationalism destroying the Ottoman Empire, and threatining to break up the Austro-Hungarian empire, war evenutally broke out. Serbia had joined Greece and Bulgaria to attack the
Ottoman Empire, and then quarreled with Bulgaria over the spoils of victory, which a cause a dispute leading to the second Balkan War, and this cycle would set the path for continuous war in Europe. -
The Origins of WWI (The First World War #5)
Due to a number of reasons, such as Emperor William II's blank check to Austria-Hungary,
promising support if Russian aggression came, and resurgent Russian unwilling to see the Serbian nation crushed,
the two countries brought themselves involved into the war that would also drag Great Britain and France due to a system
of aliances. Despite as being thought of as a little war, it would soon spiral into the giant mess that no one expected:
World War I has begun -
Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand (The First World War #3)
Archduke Francis Ferdinand, her to the Austrain and Hungarian thrones, and his wife, Sophie, would come to be assassinated by Serbian revolutionaries presumably connected to the
"ultranationalist" Serbian society "The Black Hand". This radical group was brought together by the intent to unite the
Serbian nation as one, by any means. -
Austria-Hungary Unconditional Ultimatum (The First World War #4)
Given 48 hours, the Serbian government had to agree to the demands that would allow Austria-Hungary
total control of the state; or else war. Serbia had replied modestly and evasively, thus enraging the Austro-Hungarians,
and finally war was declared on the 28th, beginning the "Third Balkan War" that would pave the way for the infamous
"World War I". -
The First Battle of Marne (The First World War #6)
As Germany was invading through Belgium, with the intent to reach Paris and surround it with the original "Schlieffen plan" ich was concentrating German armies on the right wing and boldy capturing Paris by encircling, action by the Belgian army had brought confusion to this plan. Thus, as dead-tired German soldiers reached Paris, the French army, which had over 1 million, also backed by 100,000 British troops, was able to attack the 1.5 million German army in such an aggressive, all-out tactic -
Sinking of the Lustitania (The First World War #7)
A German submarine had sunk the British passenger liner, the "Lustitania". While this ship was carrying arms and ammunitions, it unfortunately was over 1000 lives, with 139 American Lives. This greatly angered President Woodrow Wilson, and would force Germany to relax its submarine warfare for nearly 2 years, the alternative being certain war. However this event along with others would eventually bring the Western force into war. -
The Russian Revolution (The First World War #8a)
With a direct influence from the tension of WWI, this would have signifigance long past the war. It all began with Nicolas II, the last tsar and who was becoming increasingly disliked by his people, allowed a Duma, or a representative branch to be formed. However, he essentially gave no power whatsoever to the Duma, rendering it useless and bringing about much distrust from his citizens. Despite efforts to keep driving effort in the war, the people eventually got sick with him, and also... -
The Russian Revolution (The First World War #8b)
...Rasputin(crazy russian heretic who Nicolas' II wife believed in), eventually led the people, and the Duma to declare a provisional government and force Nicolas II out of power, and incite civil war. This provisional government would be changed so much over the next century and would be monumental in European history not only in WWI,
but for future as well. -
Keynes, "Economic Consequences of Peace" (The Age of Anxiety #1)
Engligh economist John Maynard Kenes composed an eloquent criticism of the Treaty of Versailles in this work of his. In his interpretation, he felt that "astronomical" reparation fee's and harsh economic measures would make Germany's poverty status worse, and would also increase hardship in not only Germany, but in other countries demanding money as well, which would especially guilt countries such as Britain into
rethinking their actions and going softer. -
Rutherford Splits the Atom (The Age of Anxiety #2)
In his monumental experiment, Rutherford had been able observe the splitting of an atom, something that contradicted John Dalton's strongly believed atomic theory. It had caused the whole science world at the time to investigate into it and rethink the way they did about atoms, especially to how atoms could be made up of smaller particles. -
Freudian Psychology (The Age of Anxiety #3)
Popularization of this new approach to psychology came with the hard times of this time.
According to Freud, the human behavior is irrational. To understand the mind, one must understand the mind's irrationalconscious, called the id, that is driven by sexual, aressive and pleasure seeking desires. That combats at all times with the superego, which is ingrained moral values and logic, and human behaviour is fragile compromise between the two. -
Treaty of Versailles (The First World War #9a)
A peace conference in Paris, seventy delegates represented 27 victoriuos nations in the end of WWI to discuss the aftermath. The real powers were the United Sates, Great Britain, and France as Germany was not allowed to attend after a shameful defeat and Russia was locked in the revolution; civil war. Much disagreement came from this conference between the three, as the three all had different goals. France wanted harsh
punishment to Germany, Britain wanted moderate peace with Germany, and... -
Treaty of Versailles (The First World War #9b)
...President Wilson was interested in a League
of Nations that would be a democratic, international cooperation to create "Eternal Peace". Nevertheless, the President would end up not signing the treaty due to the lack of support from the American people, and despite France's efforts to penalize Germany, the resulting aftermath would make it hard for France to take what it wanted from Germany, and Britain wasn't helping. Overall; a mess. -
Period: to
New Economic Policy (NEP) in U.S.S.R (Dictatorship and the Second World War #2)
Due to the economy nearly collapsing after the Russian Civil War, Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Soviet Union at the time had to engage in a period of state capitalism in order to bring relief to the economy. It mostly let individuals have small enterprises, and while it certainly helped foster a lot of growth, it
remained limited as no large enterprises were allowed to expand. -
Mussolini seizes power in Italy (Dictatorship and the Second World War #1)
Benito Mussolini, although starting as a revolutionary socialist, had found more
influence in becoming a conservative, anti-liberal and eventually, totalitarianism. Due to Italy's poor economic state,
and bitter peasants and war veterans, he was able to create his group of "fascists" , or a union of these forces to eventually
make a state with totalitarianism policies. In 1922, he was able to garner enough support and power to be able to
successfully take over the government that was breaking. -
Dawe's Plan (The Age of Anxiety #4)
Charles G. Dawes was tasked with re-evaluating the reparation plans from a broader result. The result
was his plan which was accepted by Germany, France and Britain. Essentially, it reduced Germany's yearly war-reparation fee's and how much they would pay depeneded on their economic prosperity. The U.S. would also lend loans to Germany. This was a giant money flow in which the U.S helps Germany to repay reparations, which allow France and Britain to pay
the U.S.A -
Germany joins the League of Nations (The Age of Anxiety #5)
Gustav Stresemann had done this action in part of his "peace offensive" strategy for Germany. This plan was to take whatever action to reach peace and avoid war the best Germany could do, and increase hope in foreign affairs. -
Stalin comes to power in the U.S.S.R (Dictatorship and the Second World War #3a)
After Lenin's death in 1924, when he left no successor, the competition between two important Soviets, Stalin and Trotsky; began. Despite Trostky having the advantages of being the mind behind the 1917 takeover and also the founder of the Red Army, Stalin ultimately gained control of the Soviet Union after strongly appealing to his own Communist Party and being able to input Marxian ideology into his government planning and ideals, along with using friends... -
Stalin comes to power in the U.S.S.R (Dictatorship and the Second World War #3b)
... allies and connections to rise to power. He would then continue of reign of dictatorship where
anything radical would be abolished and the state would be "unified" through his 5-year plan. -
Heisenburg's Principle of Uncertainty (The Age of Anxiety #6)
A stride in the development of quantum mechanics in physics by Werner Heiesnburg, it states that the more precisely the position of some particle is determined, the less precisely its momentum
can be known, and vice versa. -
Collectivization in Soviet Union (Dictatorship and the Second World War #4)
Part of Stalin's 5-year plan, collectivization was essentially "the forced consolidation of individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled enterprises. Thus, citizens were ordererd to give up land and animals to the state and become members of these collective farms to work. Also, any member of the "Kulak" class made by Lenin from his NEP, would soon be dealt with severly, as Stalin ordered to strip them of their land and livestock, and were starved/sent to be "re-educated". -
Period: to
The Great Depression (The Age of Anxiety #8a)
The Great Depression was an unprecedented time of great economic slump and depression
that had effected more people than any other economic depression in the world. Before it, a brief economic "boom" occurred in a period known as the "Roaring Twenties" but that was built upon marginal borrowed money. As prices in stock shifted and panicked buyers tried to sell stock all at once to pay off investors, the price of stock plummeted and the stock
market crash officially occurred. This resulted in... -
Period: to
The Great Depression (The Age of Anxiety #8b)
...a great crash of product and employment, as production approximately fell about 38% during this time period, and in Europe, unemployement went to a little over 18% of the entire population. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact (The Age of Anxiety #7)
Initiated by Frecnh prime minister Aristide Briand and U.S secretary of state Frank. B. Kellogg, 15 countries ended up siging this multational pact. what it did was "condemned and renounced war as an instrument of national policy". It was useful in establishing a cautious optimism among countries, but was ultimately
a failure as there were no provisions/commitments to be made when signing the pact. -
Hitler's ascension to Chancellor in Germany (Dictatorship and the Second World War #5)
After the popularization of his ideals of "Nazism", which was extreme nationalism combined with strong Anti-Semitic beliefs that could be used to scapegoat all Germany's problems, he was eventually gained power legally, by gaining popularity in elections, rather than trying to overthrow the government (an
unsuccessful revolt which had failed). He was able to get this support through appealing the unemployed, which was over
43% and through propaganda that promised great glory for Germany. -
Period: to
Stalin's Great Purges (Dictatorship and the Second World War #6)
Stalin; in a possible "fear" of rebellion from this nation, ensued a "reign of terror" in
which anyone found to have anything against Stalin would be eliminated. With support from the top of his party, many
old Bolsheiks, revolutionaries and simply anyone who could not be trusted suddenly "disappeared", including his own wife
who was complaining about the state of things.
those in the party who were removed were soon replaced by those found worthy by Stalin and company. -
The Triumph of the Will (The Age of Anxiety #9)
A documentary on Nazi rally-Produced by Leni Riefenstahl, this propaganda film would stand to be one of the most prominent examples of propaganda film in film history. In it featured excerpts from speeches
given by Nazi leaders at the Congress, including Adolf Hitler, Rudolf Hess and Julius Streicher, mixed with footage of
massed Sturmabteilung and Schutzstaffel troops and public reaction; with the central idea that Hitler would be the one
to bring Germany out of shame and poverty and to glory -
Germany invades Soviet Union (Dictatorship and the Second World War #7a
Germany was prepared to enter war with the Soviet Union with the motives of annhialating Communism and to eliminate the Jewish population living in the Soviet Union who were setting the "racial basis". On June 22, they would come in with over 3 million German soldiers and some allies to invade Russia, and in the beginning they were doing a great deal of damage to Russia. However, this invasion would soon show itself to be in vain, as the invasion was taking longer than initially expected... -
Germany invades Soviet Union (Dictatorship and the Second World War #7b
...and as winter came; the German force was ill-equiped to deal
with Russia in the winter; and would soon have to make a haste-retreat after a Soviet counter-attack. -
Allied Invasion at Normandy; "D-Day" (Dictatorship and the Second World War #8)
Beginning on the well known "D-Day", the Allied forces which included the .S.A, Canada, the Free French Forces and the U.K launched an all-out attack that almost meant certain death in an attempt to re-conquer France, and especially Paris which was taken over by the Germans. However, with the Germans not expecting an invasion, this came as a surprise, and as time went on, the Allied forces eventually made a monumental recapture of Paris, and drove out Germany. -
Atomic Bombs dropped in Japan, end of WWII (Dictatorship and the Second World War #9a)
In the final stages of WWII, the U.S, wishing to bring a rapid and quick end to the war, which was proving to be difficult as the Japanese had no desire to give in, had promptly resulted
to the use of the newly-invented atomic bomb created through the "Manhatten Project". On August 6, 1945, the first atomic
bomb; Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima.,,, -
Atomic Bombs dropped in Japan, end of WWII (Dictatorship and the Second World War #9b)
...On August 9th, the second bomb; Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki. These bombs would have a catastrophic effect on the areas bombed, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of Japanese, and even after the bomb, many people died of burns and radiation sickness. This move prompted Japan to surrender, and is thus the only use of atomic bombing in war to date. -
Truman Doctrine (Cold War Conflicts and Transformations #2)
Made by President Truman, this doctrine was made with the intent to contain communism within
areas already occupied by the Red Army, as by the spring of 1947, it appeared imminent that Satlin wanted to export
communism to Europe and around the world. To begin, Truman asked Congresss for military aid to Greece and Turkey; countries which Britain could not protect and were weakened. This doctrine would also lead to the Marshall Plan, as requested. -
The Marshall Plan (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #1)
Secretary of State George C. Marshall had come with a plan in order to help Europe rebuild
through U.S economic aid. Officially know as the ERP, or the European Recovery Plan, Marshall believed that the key to
political stabilty was through economic support, and that this plan would also help remove communism in western Europe.
This plan would aid in a miraculous recovery of western European countries, yet as countries such as the Soviet Union
refused aid, their economies would soon crumble. -
Formation of NATO (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #3)
Due to the success the West was seeing with communist containment, and separating Berlin from the Soviet
Union (West Berlin at least) via airdrops, the United States formed an anti-Soviet military alliance of western governments: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). This organization would watch/keep check for the Soviet Union's Warsaw Pact (equivalent for NATO except east) and to this day, still holds as an organization. -
Period: to
Korean War (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformation #4a)
In 1950 when the Russian-backed communist North Korea invaded South Korea, President Truman acted quickly, and with American-led United Nations forces under General Douglas MacArthur, began an intervention. Initially, North Korea had conquered most of the peninsula, but with the assistance of American support, South Korea was able to fight back and gain ground; at least until communist China decided to enter the war. Unwilling to have a possible bloody, nuclear war with China, President Truman.. -
Period: to
Korean War (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformation #4b)
...had reached a fragile truce with China that would leave the country split between North
Korea and South Korea; North being communist and South being capitalist. (Note: My Colombian Grandfather, most likely due
to involvement in United Nations had fought in the Korean War) -
De-Stalinization of the Soviet Union (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformation #7)
This was a period where after Stalin died
and Nikita Khrushchev, who rose from coal miner to new ruler in 1955, made it so that liberalization would occur in
the Soviet Union. For the first time, liberalization; or de-Stalinzation was occuring in Russia/Soviet Union.
He went about this by revealing Stalin's heinous crimes, improving quality of life, and unintentionally sparking ferment
in writers and causing a rebellious fervor in Eastern European countries who wanted greater freedoms. -
Building of the Berlin Wall(Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #5)
Part of Khrushchev's erratic and incomplete decision making, he unexpectantly ordered the East Germans to build a wall between East and Wests Berlin, which was in clear violation of existing accessagreements between the Great Powers. This wall would separate a growing, West Berlin that was associated with capitalism, and a falling, deteriorating East Berlin that was tied with communism. Much uproar and criticism came from the building of this wall. -
Period: to
Cuban Missile Crisis (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #6)
Yet another erratic decision by Khrushchev, it was decided that missiles with nuclear warheads be installed in Fidel Castro's communist Cuba in order to change balance of military power. However, all it did wasinfuriate President Kennedy, and he countered with a naval blockade of Cuba; which would eventually lead Khrushchev to compromise; to stop what he was doing if the U.S did not interfere with Cuba. -
Civil Rights Act in U.S.A Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #9)
An important act in U.S history, through the outcries of Martin Luther King Jr. and a multitude of oppressed Americans, this Civil Rights Act was passed that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was most notable for ending unequal voting rights and public accomodations, such as segregation. -
Student Protests in Paris (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #8a)
Unlike the U.S.A, high school and university educations had always been limited to an small elite in Europe. However, around the time of the Vietnam War, students in Europe began to uproar. However, as more Europeans realized education was the key to success, and rapid enrollment came, universities became badly overcroweded and there was much competition to simply go to school. In France, students felt as if the government was not assisting them at all with their education, in which students..., -
Student Protests in Paris (Cold War Conflicts and Social Transformations #8b)
..occupied buildings and took over the University of Paris, which led to a violent clash with the police. This encited more general strike by the working class, but the chaos would eventually be solved by de Gaulle's willigness to have university reforms and higher minimum wages, but would not stand for the "bed-wetting". -
Glastnost (Revolution, Rebuilding and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #2)
The word for "publicity" in Russian, this word was commonly associated with the various acts and implementations that Gorbachev was trying to commit for the Soviet Union. More specifically, it was used to identify the policies he believed might help reduce the corruption at the top of the Communist Party and the Soviet government and moderate the abuse of administrative power in the Central Committee. -
Single European Act- (Revolution, Rebuilding and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #1)
This act, also known as the SEA, was signed with the intent to have a single European market by 1992. A series of actions would take place in order to establish the common market, that would eventually become the basis for the modern European Union (EU). -
Destruction of the Berlin Wall (Revolution, Rebuilding and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #3)
After tensions with the U.S and a slipup in an important speech that essentially made it alright to start tearing down the wall, much of East Berlin rushed to tear down the wall as fast as humanely possible. This time was near the fall of the Soviet Union, and thus when Berlin Wall fell, West Berlin and East Berlin was allowed to be consolidated back into Berlin; and would hold liberal, capitalist policies. -
Period: to
Velvet Revoltion in Czechslovakia (Revolution, Rebuilding and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #4)
Also known as the Gentle Revolution, this was a brief period of time where after protest, the one-party government of Communism would be abolished, and a parliamentary republic would be instituted. It was "velvet" due to the fact that no blood was spilled, it was a non-violent transition in government, something that can be rarely said with these type of revolutions. It was the first time these people could democratically vote since 1946. -
Reunification of Germany (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #5)
Going hand in hand with the fall of the Berlin wall, now that Germany was connected, the reunification of not only Berlin, but the entirety of West and East Germany occured. This unification would eventually separate from the United States and would become its own, democratic-type nation. -
Period: to
Failed coup against Gorbachev in Russia (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #6)
A coup d'etat attempt against Gorbachev's reforms, and one that seeked to put him out of power, it only lasted for 2-3 days. The leaders of the coup were "hard-line" members of the Communist Party, and mostly located in Moscow. Gorbachev was able to return to power after the failed attempt, but this event would destablize the Soviet Union government greatly, and is considered one of the causes of its future breakdown. -
The Dissolution of the Soviet Union (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #7)
This dissolution, formally announced in a declaration from Gorbachev himself, changed history astronomically in Eastern Europe. For one, satellites of the Soviet Union were granted independence, and all were ceded (including Russia) from the Union. Another meant that Gorbachev would be stepping down as ruler, in order to have president Boris Yeltsin takeover. Finally, it signaled the end of the Cold War. -
Formation of the European Union (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #8)
Preluded by the Single European Act, the European Union was founded with the intent of having a common market, reducing/eliminating tariffs and other economic benefits among each other. However to get in, a country must meet certain civil right standards in order to be granted membership. There are over 20+ countries in the EU, with the most notable being the U.K., France, and Germany. -
The New Unified Euro going into Effect (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #10)
As the European Union has established a common market, a common currency was needed in order to easily exchange between countries, and thus the Euro was born. This would become a staple in uniting and boosting the European market, and to this day, the euro is still in effective use. -
9/11 (Revolution, Rebuilding, and New Challenges: 1985 to the Present #9)
Terrorist attack on the United States by the al-Qaida terrorist network- On 9/11, a devastating attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon by kamikaze was initated by al-Qaida jihadi terrorists, engaging in such acts in the name of religious war. Following this, president George W. Bush would declare war on terror, which would lead to wars within Afghanistan and Iraq.
