My Science School

 

What was the Yalta conference?

                     When it became clear that Germany was going to lose the war, the Allied leaders met at Yalta to decide on the shape of Europe in the postwar years. Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt decided to divide Germany into four zones, to be controlled by Russia, the United States, Britain and France. These zones were intended to keep Germany weak and to prevent any further hostilities. At later conferences, agreements were made to give some captured German territory to Poland and Russia.

 

 

 

 

 

How was the United Nations set up?

                  During World War II the Allied nations sometimes referred to themselves as the ‘United Nations’. In 1942 they agreed that they would not make any separate peace agreements with Germany.

                  Twenty-seven countries signed this first agreement and in 1945, after the war, the United Nations formally came into existence with an initial membership of 50 countries.

                  The United Nations is led by a powerful Security Council, which can intervene in international disputes that might lead to conflict. Today the United Nations is also involved in many economic and aid programmes around the world.

 

 

How did the Allies invade Europe?

                          The Americans entered the war in 1941 after being attacked by Germany’s ally Japan. At this time a huge military build-up began in England. The Germans knew that the Allies planned to invade Europe, but they were tricked into thinking the Allies would cross the Channel at the narrowest point. Instead the Allies landed in Normandy, which was not heavily defended.

 

 

 

What was the Holocaust?

                      As part of their policy to ‘purify’ the German race and to make space in the conquered territories, the Nazis had a deliberate plan to exterminate the Jews. They rounded them up and shipped them to concentration camps. Some were put to work in the camps but the young and the very old were killed in mass executions. The process became known as the Holocaust when the dreadful evidence was discovered by the Allies.

Pictures Credit: Google

 

How did the Allies invade Europe?

                          The Americans entered the war in 1941 after being attacked by Germany’s ally Japan. At this time a huge military build-up began in England. The Germans knew that the Allies planned to invade Europe, but they were tricked into thinking the Allies would cross the Channel at the narrowest point. Instead the Allies landed in Normandy, which was not heavily defended.

 

 

 

What was the Holocaust?

                      As part of their policy to ‘purify’ the German race and to make space in the conquered territories, the Nazis had a deliberate plan to exterminate the Jews. They rounded them up and shipped them to concentration camps. Some were put to work in the camps but the young and the very old were killed in mass executions. The process became known as the Holocaust when the dreadful evidence was discovered by the Allies.

Pictures Credit: Google

What was the Battle of Britain?

                     After his triumph in Europe, Hitler planned to invade Britain. First, he had to destroy the Royal Air Force to prevent it from bombing his invasion ships.

                    The German Luftwaffe, which was considered to be far superior to the RAF, set out to bomb the British airfields and shoot down their aircraft. The Battle of Britain began in July 1940 and continued for nearly four months. The Luftwaffe finally abandoned its attempts to defeat the RAF and the Germans realized that they had not been successful. The German aircraft had been flying too far from home and ran short of fuel, while the RAF fighters destroyed large numbers of the invading bombers. As a result, the invasion of Britain was abandoned and Hitler soon turned his attention to invading Russia.

 

 

 

What was the Blitz?

                       When the Germans realized that the British defences were too strong for their aircraft, they tried to destroy British industry. They hoped to damage the morale of the British population by night bombing of the cities. This period of bombing followed the Battle of Britain, and large areas in Britain’s industrial cities were devastated.

                       However, the bombing did not have the expected effect, because many factories had already moved to safer areas. The morale of the British people did not crack. Once the RAF had built up a stock of suitable heavy bombers they bombed cities up and down Germany at night, while the Americans bombed them during the day.

 

Who were the Nazis?

                         Germany suffered great economic hardship and political unrest during the 1920s, partly as a result of the harsh terms of the Versailles Treaty. The Nazis (National Socialist Party), led by Hitler, were able to take advantage of the political turmoil and gained control of the government in 1933.

                         The Nazis destroyed all their political rivals during the ‘Night of the Long Knives’, and Hitler was appointed Fuhrer, which meant he had complete control of the country. The Nazis blamed the Jews for Germany’s economic difficulties, and began to persecute them and confiscate their property. A secret police force was set up to give the Nazi party absolute control over the population, and anyone opposing the Nazis was imprisoned and often executed.

 

Why did Germany go to war in 1939?

                       Hitler bitterly resented the humiliating terms of the Versailles Treaty. He felt Germany was unfairly treated. He wanted Germany to build a powerful empire that would make it Europe’s leading nation. He began to re-arm Germany, building new and powerful weapons. Some of these were tested during the Spanish Civil War, when the Germans supported the right-wing regime of Franco.

                          Hitler’s first move was to overpower Austria, which he believed was a natural part of Germany. He then began planning to seize back territories that had been lost at the end of World War I. He managed to seize part of Czechoslovakia, and when there were few protests, he took control of the rest of the country too. As there was little international response to this action, Hitler next planned to take over Poland. Germany was now a force to be reckoned with.

 

 

How did Britain get drawn into the Second World War?

                       Following the invasion of Poland, as with World War I some international alliances were activated. As a result Britain and France declared war on Germany.

                       When the Germans attacked Poland, the Russians also attacked the country and it was divided. The Germans went on to invade Denmark, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands and France in quick succession. They crushed any resistance with overwhelming armoured forces.

Pictures Credit: Google

 

 

 

Why did Russia pull out of World War I?

                     In 1905 there had been an unsuccessful uprising in Russia against the rule of the tsar. Riots broke out again in 1917, when people protested about the lack of food and fuel that were being diverted to the troops.

                    The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, eventually took over and the tsar and his family were murdered. The new Communist government began peace negotiations with Germany.

 

 

 

 

What was the Versailles Treaty?

                        The Versailles Treaty was drawn up after World War I. It was designed to punish the Germans for their role in the war. Germany was forced to pay the Allies compensation, and to give up part of its territory in Europe. The treaty led to the collapse of the German economy, and set the pattern for later political problems. Other countries suffered as frontiers were redrawn following the end of the old European empires and alliances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the Balkans?

                     The Balkans are the region in the southeast corner of Europe, bordered by Russia and Turkey. Throughout the 1800s and in the early 20th century, the Balkans rebelled against their former rulers and gradually obtained their freedom.

 

 

What led to the Great War?

                         Continual trouble in the Balkans led to the formation of several complicated military alliances throughout Europe. The continent was eventually split into two groups. Britain, France and later Russia joined to form the Entente Cordiale; Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. In 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Serbia, activating the alliance agreements. First Austria declared war on Serbia, Russia sided with Serbia, and then Germany declared war on Russia. Germany invaded Belgium, bringing the British and French into the conflict. The British, French and Russians became known as the Allies, while their opponents were the Central Powers.

 

 

What was different about World War I?

                         World War I, or the Great War, was the first mechanized war in history. In the beginning the fighting was similar to wars fought during the previous century. Mounted cavalry charged enemy lines but were cut down by fire from the recently developed machine-guns. No modern tactics had been developed to handle battles between armies spread across whole countries.

                          The battlefields became deadlocked, with few advances. The troops dug deep trenches. About 10 million men died in battles, which usually gained an advance of about one kilometre. Another 20 million men were wounded.

 

 

 

 

Which new weapons were introduced in the Great War?

                      Some new and terrifying weapons were introduced during World War I, changing the whole style of warfare. Aircraft were used for the first time to observe the enemy and to locate suitable targets for the long-range artillery. Later, fighter planes began to shoot down the spotters, introducing aerial warfare. Aircraft and Zeppelin airships were used as bombers.

                      The most terrifying new weapon was poison gas, which was used by both sides. It caused millions of deaths and terrible suffering. Tanks made their first appearance, having been invented to break through enemy lines and barbed wire. If the generals had used tanks earlier, followed by a massive attack, the whole course of the war would have been shortened and many lives would have been saved.

Pictures Credit: Google

 

 

 

Why was the Suez Canal built?

                      As the British Empire gained in power, large numbers of ships had to make the long and hazardous journey around the southern tip of Africa to reach India and the Far East. The Suez Canal reduced this sea voyage by 6,500 km.

                     The canal was designed and built by a French company, and opened in 1869. The British bought the company from the Egyptian government. The Suez Canal was so important to British trade that Britain took over the island of Cyprus to protect the canal’s northern end.

 

 

 

How did railways open up the Great Plains of the USA?

                        After the Civil War, the American government encouraged people to settle in the largely empty land of the Great Plains. The American Indians had already been driven out. The distances involved were enormous, and the railways were able to help the spread of people into the undeveloped areas.

                      By 1869 the Union Pacific Railroad linking the east and west coasts of the United States was finally joined up. A network of other lines spread out across the plains. The railway provided an essential link between remote farming communities and cities, making it easier for people to buy goods and trade their produce.

 

 

 

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

                    Towards the end of the 1800s, the Chinese Empire was weak and dominated by foreign powers. Powerful trading groups from Britain, Germany, Russia, Japan and Italy controlled large parts of the country, while the Chinese struggled to modernize and still retain their independence.

                     A revolt against all foreigners began in northern China in 1900. It was led by a secret society popularly called the Boxers. The members of the society attacked many foreign embassies and massacred the Christian Chinese population. However, an international force managed to prevent the Boxers from carrying out further attacks, and forced the Chinese government to give more concessions to the foreign traders.

Pictures Credit: Google

 

What was the Industrial Revolution?

                   Back in the early 1700s, Britain was still a largely agricultural nation. The few manufactured goods were made in small workshops or at home. As a result of Britain’s world trading, the cotton industry developed and everything changed.

                   At first water power was used to drive spinning and weaving machines, and factories and mills were set up. New towns were built to provide homes for these workers. Steam engines were adapted to provide power to factories.

                  The railways and canal system were developed. The other key development was the smelting of iron using coke rather than wood. Britain was able to exploit the raw materials from her overseas empire to become one of the world’s most prosperous industrial nations.

 

Which inventions changed the world?

                        The invention of practical steam engines was the most significant advance in the 1700s, providing power for the Industrial Revolution. The first steam engines were massive stationary devices that pumped water from flooded mines, but they were soon adapted to power ships. At first, wooden ships were converted and driven by massive paddlewheels, but gradually steel-hulled vessels with propellers were introduced.

                          The first steam locomotives appeared in the early 1800s. They carried goods and allowed people to travel to the factories where they worked. Trains were an important means for social change because, for the first time, people could travel quickly and visit areas that were previously too far away.

 

 

 

How did European events affect Latin America?

                     Spain and Portugal had enormous colonies in South and Central America. For many years these colonies had wanted independence, but all signs of revolt were ruthlessly suppressed. Napoleon’s battles in Europe, however, gave the colonies their opportunity for independence. Portugal and Spain were re-occupied by Napoleon, and the Latin American countries seized their opportunity. Between 1810 and 1830, the colonies declared themselves independent, defeating Spanish forces in Colombia and Peru in great battles. Freedom did not affect ordinary people because the former colonies were still ruled by landowners.

 

 

 

 

Why did Britannia rule the waves?

                     As an island nation, Britain depended entirely on developing a huge fleet to protect its trading links with the rest of the world. The trading ships which arrived first in port were always able to sell their cargoes of seasonal crops and other goods for the highest prices. This led to the development of more modern sailing ships that could travel faster than ever before. In addition to this, the heavily armed military vessels that protected them also became very efficient. Britain went to great lengths to protect her enormous empire and the wealth it brought. The empire’s survival was entirely dependent on British ships having the freedom of the seas.

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Who was Napoleon?

                   Napoleon was born on the French island of Corsica. He became a general in the French army and achieved several military successes. After an unsuccessful campaign against the British in Egypt, Napoleon returned to France in 1799 and took complete control of the country with the backing of the army.

                 Napoleon ruled France for 15 years, and in 1804 he crowned himself emperor. He governed effectively, and increased the power of the French army enormously by setting up a system of conscription. It meant that every adult Frenchman had to do military service for a time.

 

 

How did Napoleon try to conquer most of Europe?

                   Napoleon had created a massive army, which he used to try and conquer Europe. The French armies conquered huge land territories including Austria and part of Russia, and proposed to invade Britain. Napoleon’s navy was finally defeated by Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, however, and the invasion never took place. Instead, Napoleon turned his attention to Spain and Portugal, which were given the support of Britain in their wars again the French.

What events led to the French Revolution?

                     During the 1700s France was not prosperous. The government was short of money and needed to raise taxes. Louis XVI could only do this by recalling a traditional assembly, which promptly demanded political reforms. He responded by trying to dismiss the assembly, but the citizens in Paris revolted in support of the assembly.

                      The new National Assembly showed its strength by introducing fresh laws in 1791, insisting on freedom and equality. The royal family was imprisoned for a while, then tried and executed.

 

What was the Reign of Terror?

                      The French Revolution was opposed by neighbouring countries that feared that unrest would spread across Europe. A Committee of Public Safety was set up in trance to defend the revolution, and they executed any person who might oppose the committee.

                     This period became known as the Reign of Terror. It lasted for about a year, and during this time around 18,000 people were put to death. The French aristocracy was almost entirely wiped out, together with any political opponents of the regime. The Reign of Terror finally came to an end when the head of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre, was accused of treason.

 

 

Who established colonies in the East?

                        The Dutch and the French formed their own East India companies. Like Britain’s East India Company these trading organizations became immensely rich. The Dutch were very successful in the East, establishing colonies in modern Indonesia. In addition, the Dutch were for many years the only foreign traders allowed into Japan, which kept itself separate from the rest of the world. There were numerous minor wars between the British, Dutch and French in South-east Asia during the 1800s.

 

 

Did Japan plan an empire?

                   Japan had been closed to foreigners for hundreds of years, but in the 1500s Portuguese traders began to arrive, followed by Spanish missionaries. These traders introduced both Christianity and guns to Japanese society. With the use of these guns the traditional Samurai warriors were overcome and a shogun was appointed, who planned a Japanese empire that would include China.

                              The Japanese forces unsuccessfully invaded Korea twice during the 1500s. They did not achieve their empire until the early 20th century, when the Japanese finally conquered Korea.

 

 

 

How did Britain originally gain control of Hong Kong?

                         For centuries China was a closed country, and foreigners were not encouraged to explore it. European traders smuggled huge amounts of opium into China so that people became addicted, paying for the opium with silver. The Chinese government tried to stop the opium trade, and the British sent the navy to threaten them. From 1839 to 1842 the British and Chinese fought over access to the Chinese ports. The Chinese were defeated and the British forced them to grant trading rights. Five ports were opened and Hong Kong Island became a British colony. In 1898 Britain was given Hong Kong on a 99 year lease, during which time it became a hugely successful centre of finance and trade.

Pictures Credit: Google

 

 

Why did Europeans colonize Africa?

                               The central regions of Africa were not properly explored until the middle of the 1800s. As the continent was explored, it was colonized by European countries seeking territories to exploit and bring them riches. The British, Dutch, French and Portuguese all established colonies near the coast, and later inland. The slave trade had destroyed the structure of many once-powerful African nations, and they were unable to resist the Europeans with their modern weapons. Germany, Belgium and Italy all  joined in the scramble to capture new lands in Africa.

 

 

 

Were there great civilizations in Africa?

                          A whole series of great civilizations existed in Africa, to the south of the Sahara desert. Many of these states traded with the Arabs, and some adopted Islam as their religion.

                        The Asante were a powerful West African race who became prosperous by slave trading with the Europeans. Another powerful tribe was the Zulus in southern Africa.

 

 

What was the Boer War?

                       The Boer War took place in southern Africa as a result of a complicated political situation. The Boers were settlers of Dutch origin who resented British rule of their region. They migrated north into the area occupied by the Zulus. The British, Dutch and Zulus all fought each other. Eventually, the British troops defeated the Zulus at the battle of Rorke’s Drift in 1879. However the war continued for over 20 years until the Boers were finally defeated by the British in 1902. This defeat led to the foundation of the modern state of South Africa.

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What is the Declaration of Independence?

                         The American Declaration of Independence states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. At first, the new American nation consisted of 13 states (this has now grown to 50). It had a president, who would be elected every four years, and was run by a Congress. This same structure exists to the present day.

 

 

Why did the Indian Wars take place?

                       The Native American Indians understandably resented the numbers of settlers who swarmed onto their traditional hunting and grazing lands. As the population of the United States grew explosively, the Indians were forced to migrate to the south and west. Eventually they had nowhere left to go, and began to fight back. The US government reacted by forcing the American Indians into reservations on land that was not wanted by the settlers.

                             During the early 1800s many American Indians died in fighting and from starvation and disease. The huge herds of buffalo on which many American Indians depended were wiped out deliberately to deprive them of their food, clothing and shelter.