Medieval and Modern World Transformations: Kingdoms, Society, and Economy
The Germanic Kingdoms and the Fall of the Roman Empire
Theodosius the Great divided the late fourth-century Roman Empire into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. As the Western Roman Empire weakened, various peoples, often called ‘barbarians,’ migrated into Roman territory, leading to the formation of small kingdoms. Major kingdoms included the Ostrogoths, Franks, Visigoths, Angles, and Saxons.
Features of the Germanic Kingdoms
Germanic peoples migrated from central and eastern Europe, a movement
Read MoreSpanish and Catalan Population Migration Patterns
The Spanish and Catalan Population
Migration Patterns
Internal Migration
In Spain, the rural exodus to urban areas began in the late 19th century. Industries in cities needed manpower, leading to significant population growth in urban areas and a decline in rural areas. From World War I (1914-1918), the population moved to provincial capitals and then to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Since the 1940s, a significant exodus occurred due to poverty, with peasants migrating to cities like Madrid,
Read MoreSpain’s Fishing Industry: History and Modern Challenges
Spain’s Fishing Industry: A Historical Perspective
Spain has been and remains a major world fishing power. This is indicated by the size of the fleet (tonnage and power), the volume of catches, and the landed value of fisheries.
Currently, the industry employs some 50,000 people working directly in fishing and another 22,000 who are engaged in the development and preservation of fish. In economic terms, fisheries contribute 0.5% of the GDP.
These data are indicative of the importance of Spanish fishing.
Read MoreThe Industrial Revolution: Origins, Impact, and Social Changes
The Industrial Revolution
Concept: The Industrial Revolution is a historical process that involves changing an economy based on agriculture into one in which industrial activities dominate, thanks to the advance of new technologies and scientific discoveries, as well as by developing new economic theories such as liberalism. The origin was in England in the eighteenth century.
Factors that explain their origin:
The origin was in England
- Physical: abundant hydropower and mineral resources
- Economic: growth
Sub-Saharan Africa, India, China: Geography, Politics, and Development
Political Boundaries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Legacy of Colonialism)
Berlin Conference (1884-85):
- Organized by Otto von Bismarck to divide Africa among European powers without African input.
- Borders ignored ethnic/cultural divisions, leading to conflicts.
- Recognized King Leopold II’s Congo Free State.
Problems Caused by Colonial Boundaries:
- Ethnic Conflicts: Split groups (e.g., Hutu/Tutsi in Rwanda & Burundi).
- Economic Disparities: Uneven resource distribution; exploitation (e.g., DRC).
- Weak National
Primary Sector Activities: Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries
Primary Sector Activities
The primary sector encompasses activities focused on extracting resources from nature, including agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, mining, and logging.
Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution began when humans started domesticating and breeding animals for meat, fat, fur, and as draft animals.
Agricultural Area Structure
Agricultural areas consist of cultivated and inhabited spaces.
Cultivated Area
Cultivated areas are made up of plots, the basic unit of cultivation,
Read More