The American Revolution: Origins and Global Impact
The American Revolution (1775–1783)
The American Revolution (1775–1783) was a political and military struggle through which the thirteen American colonies of Britain gained independence and established the United States of America. It was one of the most important revolutions in modern history because it challenged monarchy, colonialism, and traditional authority, while promoting ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.
Causes of the American Revolution
The causes of the American Revolution
Read MoreModernization and Geopolitical Shifts in East Asia
Clan Rule (Sedo Jeongchi)
Sedo Jeongchi refers to the 19th-century period when royal authority weakened after King Jeongjo’s death (1800). Power was usurped by aristocratic families, notably the Andong Kim clan, who controlled the court through nepotism. This system turned the state into a private patronage network, where the sale of public offices (maegwan maejik) undermined administrative integrity and national defense.
This decay led to the collapse of the Three Systems (Samjeong):
- Jeonjeong (Land
The American Revolution: Origins, Causes, and Impact
The American Revolution (1775–1783)
The American Revolution was a political, social, economic, and military movement through which the thirteen British colonies in North America gained independence from Britain and established the United States of America. It was one of the most important events in modern world history because it challenged monarchy, promoted ideas of liberty and democracy, and inspired later revolutions in Europe and Latin America.
Background of the American Colonies
Before the
Read MoreEuropean Political and Social Transformations (1945–2020)
Lecture 7: Cold War Conflict and the EU (1945–1965)
- Postwar Reality: By 1945, Europe was destroyed and filled with refugees. Changing borders and mutual distrust between the USA and USSR triggered the Cold War.
- Simultaneous Processes: The Cold War division (USA vs. USSR) and Western European unity (cooperation) occurred concurrently.
- George Marshall (Marshall Plan, 1947): The US provided $13 billion in economic aid to Western Europe to rebuild stability and contain Communism.
- Berlin Blockade &
The Cold War and the Franco Dictatorship: 1939-1990
The Cold War (1945-1990)
The Creation of the United Nations (1945)
The United Nations was established in October 1945 as a worldwide organization to act as an arbiter of international disputes. Signed in San Francisco by 50 countries, its headquarters were established in New York City. Its primary goals include maintaining peace, collective security, promoting economic progress, and defending human rights.
A Bipolar World
The Cold War was defined by an underlying conflict between the USA and the USSR,
Read MoreThe Cold War: Geopolitical Tensions and Global Impact
Definition of the Cold War
The Cold War was a long-standing geopolitical, cultural, ideological, and economic tension between the Communist bloc (led by the USSR) and the Capitalist bloc (led by the USA). There was never a direct war between the two superpowers to avoid total nuclear destruction.
The First Cold War (1949–1962)
- Korean War (1950–1953): After WWII, Korea was divided into North (Communist) and South (Capitalist). Both sides attempted to conquer the other, resulting in 3 million casualties