“Perestroika is a pressing necessity that has arisen out of the profound processes taking place in the course of the development of our socialist society. That society is ripe for change-one might say it has suffered enough. Any delay in pursuing Perestroika could lead in the very near future to a deterioration in the situation…
Category: History
The most important influences on the colonial experiences of Europeans in North America?
The European colonial experience in the New World is not one monolithic, homogenous entity. The wave of colonists arriving in the newly discovered continent comprised of several groups deriving from different religious, cultural, linguistic and class backgrounds. At one end of the spectrum were members of imperial royalty, whose purpose was one of administration and…
How did Cleopatra Influence the World?
Egyptian Empress Cleopatra is not purely a historical figure, for her life has been much romanticized and made mythical in popular culture. Known for her seductive allure and great powers of will and conquest, she came to represent the empowered woman of historic times. In the two millennia since her demise, the aura around her…
The impact of Social Darwinism in the Age of Imperialism
Social Darwinism is an instance of abuse of Darwinism. The Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection – a seminal work of 19th century British explorer Charles Darwin – is the basis for the later construction called Social Darwinism. But the latter deviates from the original theory in that it co-opts selective aspects of the theory…
White Man’s Burden: The social, religious and cultural excuses to justify imperialism and gunship diplomacy
European imperialism of the last few centuries were heavily centered on the perceived moral responsibility of its leaders toward other supposedly backward regions of the world. Also referred to (not without a sense of irony) as the White Man’s Burden, this notion of cultural, religious, scientific and administrative superiority over far-off civilizations had led to…
Why are the Romans considered great city builders?
The Roman Empire continues to be of historical importance even today. This is because the political, social, architectural and cultural achievements made by Romans during their Empire’s peak, continues to inspire people even today. The capital city of Rome was especially famous for its detailed planning and organization. It is difficult to perceive how city…
The leadership of Antonio Agostinho Neto
What does this person do? What are their primary areas of interest? Antonio Agostinho Neto rose from a simple background to become the first President of Angola in 1975. He served as the leader of Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and guided his country through the years of civil war. Although he…
A Fraternity of Arms – American & France in the Great War
The First World War, also called the Great War would shake-up then existing power equations within Europe and prime the region for the Second World War two decades later. While America’s participation in the latter was more substantial than the former, it nevertheless played a crucial supportive role to its conventional allies. It’s support to…
A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner – Summary & Review
A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner is an important addition to documented American history. The American Civil War and its aftermath is a critical period in the nation’s history and one that profoundly influenced subsequent socio-political developments. The Civil War would have its most important effect on the lives of millions of African…
How successful were the Articles of Confederation in defining Democracy in the USA?
The Articles of Confederation was the document that served as the precursor to the official constitution of the United States. The former was ratified in 1781, the latter was signed and accepted in 1789. The leaders of revolutionary America felt the need for unity among different states and the necessity to define the “relative powers…