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English Civil War
King Charles I wanted control over the English government, believing that he was the rightful ruler of England. The Parliament and Scotland formed an alliance to defeat King Charles' forces. After Charles' death, the English government lost its stability. -
American Revolution
The Thirteen Colonies wanted freedom from British rule, no longer wanting to pay taxes to the British. Protests and clashes between the Americans and English troops occurred. Eventually, the Continental Congress was established, giving the colonies the independence they wanted. -
The Old Order/French Revolution
French society operated under a caste system split into three estates. The First and Second Estates were privileged and luxurious, living off the hard work of the Third Estate. This caused unrest among the Third Estate, with them demanding change that would bring equality among the estates. When their demands were ignored, citizens stormed a prison called Bastille leading to a wave of violence, the first wave of the French Revolution. -
Haitian Revolution
The citizens in Haiti were treated very poorly, being forced to do unrealistic amounts of labor. However, the French Revolution set off a spark that inspired many civilizations, including the Haitians. Toussain' L' Ouverture led the enslaved people against their plantation owners. They eventually succeeded in claiming independence. This was known as one of the first and most successful slave rebellions in history. -
The Reign of Terror
During the French Revolution, the Revolutionary Government took action against citizens who opposed them, with many being arrested, killed, or dying in prison. Some were executed without trial. It allowed leaders to reestablish their power and dominance. -
Egypt’s Industrial Revolution
In the early nineteenth century, Egypt connected itself with the Ottoman Empire, making it a part of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This granted Egypt significant access to trade. Modern weapons were brought in from Europe and peasants were forced to enlist in the army. Some Egyptian leaders were against modernizing, wanting to maintain Egyptian traditions. As the modernizing continued, the economy declined and factories stopped producing, resulting in the end of industrialization. -
South American Independence (Latin American Revolutions)
Latin American societies were split up in a caste system: Peninsulares, Creoles, and the common people. The Creoles, which were made up of wealthy landowners, led the revolution in South America against Spanish control. With the help of leaders Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin, armies were led to victory and independence from Spanish colonies in 1818. -
Mexican Independence (Latin American Revolution)
On September 16, 1810, Indian peasants were influenced to rebel against their Spanish masters by Father Miguel Hidalgo. He was able to gather an army of 60,000 men. When a new government took over in 1820, the Creoles feared they would lose their privilege and decided to support Mexico's independence. Independence was finally achieved in 1821 under Augustin De Iturbide. -
Commissioner Lin: Letter to Queen Victoria
Commissioner Lin of the Qing Dynasty reached out to Queen Victoria regarding the extraction of opium from China to Britain. He acknowledges how Britain is taking advantage of China for its resources, often stealing materials through stealth due to China not granting permission. Additionally, it is leading to significant harm to China's economy. Finally, Lin asks Victoria for Britain to completely ban extracting opium from China. -
Struggles and Transformation in China/Opium Wars
After the Ming Dynasty left China in disorder, the Manchu took over, starting the Qing Dynasty. Britain wanted to open up more trade ports with China, but the Qing Dynasty refused. However, China's internal conflict regarding the division of religion and ethnicity eventually led to the Opium Wars in which Britain invaded China for its Opium. China fought back but ultimately lost, leading to the failure of its economy, food shortages, and political and environmental damages. -
The Communist Manifesto
The Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx with the ultimate goal of implementing communist ideals in Europe. This meant reworking societies to equally distribute land, rights, and labor among all classes. This was significant as it was a successful step forward in spreading the concept of equal rights that reached/impacted Europe as well as the entire world. -
Imperialism and De-industrialization in India
Most of the world's cloth came from India. However, due to Britain's technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution, India became inferior and couldn't keep up. India had to switch to producing cotton which Britain would use to sell textiles. This led to less room for food to grow and the deaths of millions. Britain's control over India grew over time from stationing troops and signing a treaty. Britain thrived while India suffered. By the 1900s, Indian nationalists fought back. -
Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement
When Britain colonized Southern Africa, they disrupted traditional life, leading to economic troubles for the indigenous people. This lead to the indigenous people opposing the British in the form of an unarmed rejection of the colonial socio-economic order imposed by the British and the destruction of cattle and crops. The movement was ultimately unsuccessful, leaving Xhosa communities in extreme poverty. -
Indian Uprising
After the American Revolution, Britain had been suffering from their loss against the thirteen colonies. So, they aimed to colonize India next. The Indians faced harsh discrimination and religious disrespect. To make a living, many joined the Sepoy Army. In efforts to fight back, the soldiers often betrayed their British Officers or robbed British Arsenals. Unfortunately, the uprising was unsuccessful, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of sepoys and the British directly ruling India. -
Responses to Industrial Imperialism
In the late 1800s, much of Southeast Asia had fallen under European control. Colonizers aimed to disrupt societies and rule over them. Naturally, the citizens wanted to survive and maintain their cultures. While some rebellions had started, other unorthodox methods were also used in order to avoid oppression. People under French rule used French values against them to plan resistance. People under Dutch rule stole a curtain from a colonizer. People under British rule didn't show up to feasts. -
Mokrani Revolt
When the French colonized Algeria, they took away Tribal lands for military outposts. Wanting to reclaim the land due to its cultural significance, the indigenous people of the land fought back against the French in skirmishes and battles. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful, leading to the French punishing and controlling the Muslim population -
Friedrich Fabri, “Does Germany Need Colonies?”
During industrialization, countries around the world utilized advancements to support colonial expansion. Friedrich Fabri realized this and believed that Germany needed to start expanding as well if it hoped to keep up with the other countries. Fabri stated that it would bring economic, as well as national stability to Germany. -
Industrial Imperialism, the "New" Imperialism
Nation-states (independent countries) had started to be colonized by expanding empires. This was known as New Imperialism. The various technological advancements and ideas during the Industrial Revolution inspired countries to start Empires and expand to conquer other countries. Additionally, Empires realized that the demand for materials increased with industrialization, meaning that they could take advantage of other countries by using their new materials as well as their consumers/buyers. -
African Resistance to Colonialism
In the late 1890s, various European countries began colonizing African areas. The indigenous African people were often faced with unjust conditions and labor. This led to resistance and uprisings against the Europeans. In most cases, the rebellions were unsuccessful, leading to the deaths of many Africans due to the European's advanced power and technology. But in some cases, the resistance were successful, like in the Battle of Adwa where the Italian forces were defeated. -
Colonial Violence
At this time, nations or groups often used suffering and violence to control others. Those who were living under colonial violence often faced cruel and unjust conditions, receiving very little pay and facing lethal punishments. Those who colonized others justified their actions through their belief of superiority and that violence was necessary to civilize those beneath them. The colonial violence had various psychological impacts on the victims, such as depression and self-hatred. -
How Colonialism Spawned and Continues to Exacerbate the Climate Crisis
Colonialism in various areas often banned certain farming methods that left the lands dehydrated and susceptible to catching fire. This eventually led to a drastic increase in forest fires/wildfires. -
Environmentalism
The advancements made during the Industrial Revolution demanded an abundance of natural resources. Additionally, the advancements could allow humanity to reshape the environment and take its resources in a more efficient manner. The mistreatment of nature resulted in unrest in the masses, leading many to join socialist movements demanding change by reducing environmental damage. -
Maji Maji Rebellion
African villages faced harsh conditions and labor in cotton farms due to the German colonial rule. In an attempt to fight back, the villagers formed armed groups and attacked German outposts. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, leading to the indigenous villagers facing destruction, famine, and depopulation. -
Bloody Sunday
Industry workers had been facing poor working conditions in the form of extremely low wages and dangerous working environments. This inspired many of the workers to rally together at the Winter Palace. They were demanding reduced working days and increased wages. Ultimately, the movement was unsuccessful, with the Czar's soldiers killing the workers. This actively demonstrates the lack of value the lower class had in the eyes of the upper classes. -
Muir vs Pinchot
John Muir was an immigrant from Scotland who inspired Americans by promoting the preservation of nature across the country. Gifford Pinchot was a friend of Muir, but the two had conflicting ideas about how the government should tackle the issue. Muir wanted the government to simply preserve and protect nature from human influence. Pinchot also wanted to protect nature but wanted to allow mixed-use. -
World War 1: A Total War?
World War 1 featured larger mobilization than ever before, with millions of men and women volunteering to contribute to the war. This actively demonstrates the large scale of this war compared to previous ones and emphasizes its intensity. -
A Lost Generation
The complicated relations between European nations are what sparked the start of the First World War. The public was encouraged to join the army, but millions were killed, heavily injured, and/or returned with shell shock. The war impacted the way writers and artists expressed their work, with a frequent theme of how human nature to cause violence doesn't make sense. Additionally, the war upset many colonized people, due to their involvement in a conflict that has nothing to do with them. -
Invention of Fighter Aircrafts
The fighter aircraft was invented by pilot Roland Garros in France, in 1915. Garros implemented a machine gun on his plane, that could fire through the propellers. Pilots utilized these new fighter aircraft to shoot down enemy aircraft and drop bombs during air battles. Pilots were able to cooperate with and assist ground forces in battle directly. The usage of fighter aircraft in WW1 lead to frequent destruction of civilian and industrial areas, causing a sense of fear of planes to spread. -
The March Revolution
Around 200,000 workers had started riots in the streets due to shortages of bread and fuel. Initially, soldiers were ordered to shoot the protestors down but they later joined their side. It eventually led to the fall of Czar Nicholas II, giving up his throne. However, the revolution ultimately proved not to be successful or effective as it was unable to satisfy workers' demands. -
The First World War as a Global War
Most of the world's population and nations were involved in World War 1, forming various powers/alliances to support one another. Empires were larger than every before, deploying many soldiers to fight in their battles. The battles across the world lead to the defeat of the Central Powers, and the destruction of the Ottoman empire. -
The Power of One: The Russian Revolution
Many Russian protests were against the Tsar (the Emperor) due to his refusal to withdraw from war with Japan. This led to the deaths of many protesters and a Civil War across Russia. The protests from the Soviets were ultimately unsuccessful, resulting in the development of a Communist government. -
Mexican Revolution
Porfirio Diaz ruled Mexico under a corrupt dictatorship for over 30 years. This lead to social inequality in Mexico in the form of exploitation of workers, unjust class division, and unequal distribution of land. Behind leaders such as Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Francisco Madero, the citizens who have suffered under Diaz's dictatorship fought for a democracy. The revolution was a success with Diaz's dictatorship coming to an end and establishing a constitutional republic. -
Fascist Stories
Fascism originated in Italy when Italians waged war on African colonies. The concept began to spread to countries around the world. It rejected liberalism, believing that one group was superior and held the right to rule over another group. It demonstrates the impacts WW1 and the Great Depression had on the world as well as the ways unjust groups of authority tried to justify their actions. -
Fascism in Italy
During the interwar period, harsh conditions were placed on the Italian public such as economic struggles and unemployment. Mussolini took advantage of these conditions by appealing to the public and gaining their power and support. This led to the rise of fascist ideology, reinforcing less violent methods and values such as discipline and obedience. Eventually, fascism spread around the world and was frequently implemented into societies. -
The Global Story of the 1930s
The Great Depression had started in the U.S. due to crashes in the stock market as well as the decline of banks and corporations. Mass unemployment had begun to spread across the U.S. as well as the world through global interconnectedness. This led to the rise of socialist and communist parties as the mass unemployment demonstrated unjust class inequality. -
The Second World War
WW2 started when Germany invaded Poland, leading to Poland's allies, Britain and France, declaring war on Germany in 1939. Different countries joined one of two sides: the Allied forces and the Axis powers. Eventually, the Allied forces consisting of the U.S., the British, and the Soviet Union emerged victorious when they defeated Germany and Japan. Japan was left devastated by the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. -
The Holocaust
Fascists used science in order to justify racist actions, leading to the Nazis eliminating certain groups to maintain purity. The idea that Germans were the superior race began to be implemented into the education system as well as the law. This eventually led to Germany reinforcing a hatred for Jews, establishing extermination camps where Jewish people were either forced into extreme labor or were killed immediately. Millions of European Jews were killed, destroying trust among the masses. -
Art and the World Wars
During the two world wars, art was often implemented as a way of spreading ideas or beliefs to the masses. In World War 1, art was used to convince people to join the war and to demonstrate the war's death and destruction. In World War 2, art was utilized to promote concepts of organization and obedience, in hopes of strengthening nations. The wars made art a more accessible and common career, with it being viewed as a powerful weapon for uniting and educating the people. -
Impacts of WW2 in Europe
The mass destruction caused during WW2 led to many civilians losing their homes, jobs, or lives, making it a constant struggle to get by. Some factors that led to the sheer amount of destruction include advancements in air warfare and the second war being on a larger scale than the first. Lots of time and resources were used in order to reestablish society. -
The Forgotten Colonial Forces of World War 2
The contributions of colonial forces during World War 2 are often neglected. They frequently faced unequal treatment and discrimination from European or American officers. Despite this, their efforts and Nationalist movements helped lead to the dismantling of the British Empire and the Independence of India. -
Chinese Communist Revolution
Rising power in the West led to China losing control of many of its ports and resources. The Nationalist Party and Communist Party set out to restore the country. After the war, the alliance between the two parties fell apart. The communists, who became a socialist nation, mobilized peasants to claim land from wealthy landlords, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths. While industrial advances were made, it led to a struggling economy, the closing of schools, and general damage. -
Tensions in Latin America
During the1930s and 1940s, the United States agreed not to meddle with external affairs and conflicts. However, this changed during the 1950s and 1960s due to a rising fear of communist expansion. This led to the United States interfering with Latin American nations such as Guatemala, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, making efforts in order to prevent communism from further developing or spreading. -
Rise and fall of European colonialism
Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, its territories fell into the hands of Europe, turning into European colonies. British and French Diplomats drew lines on the map, forming borders that would divide the lands and communities. Later, European authority was replaced by American and Soviet influence. -
Election of Mossadegh
Mossedegh sympathized with the public's resentment toward British-controlled oil industries in order to rise to power and be elected as prime minister. This resulted in oil industries being nationalized in Iran, driving away any British influence. -
British control of Iran's oil
Britain held control of Iran's oil companies, allowing them to impose its power and authority. Iran's prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, nationalized Iran's oil industry, taking control back from Britain. However, the US sided with
the British because they believed Mossadegh was a Communist. This led to the US helping overthrow Mossadegh. -
Operation AJAX
The Shah reached out to the U.S. and the CIA in hopes of driving Mossedegh out of Iran and putting the Shah back in a position of authority. This actively demonstrates the Shah's desire for power as well as external interference from the United States. -
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal served as the quickest route from Europe to the Indian Ocean and reshaped global networks. It was
owned by the French and the Egyptians. Later,
the Egyptians sold their portion to the British government. Gamal Abdel Nasser seized control of the canal for Egypt, leading to Britain, France, and Israel invading. The US and USSR got involved, leading to Britain and France backing down. -
Great Leap Forward
After WW2, communists made efforts to remake Chinese society by allowing women to be equal to men by entering the workplace and making improvements to living conditions as well as education. Industrial and agricultural improvements were made as well. However, all of this came at the cost of great human labor, leading to food shortages, suffering, and over 20 million deaths by starvation. -
Aral Sea Crisis
Workers and engineers began to take large quantities of water from the Aral Sea. The overreliance on water resulted in water levels being reduced significantly. Lack of water led to environmental impacts such as the disappearance of species, dried lands, and an increase in salt levels. Additionally, local residents were left without access to water, more susceptible to illnesses, and with a dramatic increase in poverty, resulting in many having to flee the area. -
Hostage Crisis
American diplomats from the United States embassy were held hostage by Iranians for 444 days. This was done in order to get the Shah to come back to face trials for his crimes against the Iranians. After the election of Ronald Regan in 1980, the hostages were set free. -
Tiananmen Square Massacre
Leader Deng Xiaoping did not grant China political freedom. Due to public unrest regarding the matter, 100,000 people rallied together for democracy. This led to thousands being killed or wounded and nations backing off from interacting with China.