1
GES 110 EXAM
Contents
GES 110 EXAM ................................................................................................................................................ 1
SILK ROAD CONNECTIONS 2 .................................................................................................................. 4
Expansion of the Mongol empire ............................................................................................................... 4
The Mongol Empire and Its Legacy........................................................................................................... 5
The Mongol empire and its impact on Eurasia .......................................................................................... 6
Why study the Mongol Empire? ................................................................................................................ 7
Mongol Economy....................................................................................................................................... 7
How did the Mongols raise to conquer Eurasia? ....................................................................................... 7
The Paradoxical Legacy ............................................................................................................................. 9
The Impact of the Mongol Empire........................................................................................................... 10
Black death................................................................................................................................................... 12
Diagnosis.................................................................................................................................................. 12
Scholarly debate ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Spreading death ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Theories of vulnerability and decline ...................................................................................................... 14
Impact and consequences ......................................................................................................................... 15
European dominance .................................................................................................................................... 17
Indian ocean ............................................................................................................................................. 17
The European entry .................................................................................................................................. 18
Europeans and Indian Ocean trade .......................................................................................................... 18
Sugar Revolution ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Slave-plantation-sugar triangle in the Atlantic ........................................................................................ 20
A history of sugar ..................................................................................................................................... 21
The demand for sugar .............................................................................................................................. 21
The Sugar Revolution .............................................................................................................................. 22
The Plantation Economy .......................................................................................................................... 22
Establishment of European empires............................................................................................................. 23
What are the characteristics of empires in the 19th century? .................................................................. 23
What were the motivations and justifications for the establishment of empires in the 19th century? .... 24
Leopold and the Congo ............................................................................................................................ 28
The End of the European Empires ............................................................................................................... 29
Why did the European Powers give up their Empires? ........................................................................... 30
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: .................................................................................................................. 35
, 2
Important events in the history of the conflict ......................................................................................... 36
Origins of the Conflict ............................................................................................................................. 37
Britain and Palestine ................................................................................................................................ 38
The Arab-Israeli War, 1948-9................................................................................................................... 39
The Suez War of 1956 .............................................................................................................................. 39
French Revolution ........................................................................................................................................ 40
The Pre-Revolutionary Phase .................................................................................................................. 40
The Moderate Phase ................................................................................................................................. 41
The Radical Phase .................................................................................................................................... 43
The Thermidorian Reaction and the Directory ........................................................................................ 44
The meaning of the French Revolution ................................................................................................... 44
The HaitianRevolution ................................................................................................................................. 45
Saint-Domingue ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Saint-Domingue Society .......................................................................................................................... 46
The Influence of the French Revolution .................................................................................................. 47
The outbreak of Slave Revolts ................................................................................................................. 48
Abolition of Slavery ................................................................................................................................. 49
British and Spanish Involvement ............................................................................................................. 50
The USA and Napoleon's Expedition ...................................................................................................... 50
Declaration of Haitian Independence (1804) ........................................................................................... 50
The meaning of the Haitian Revolution ................................................................................................... 51
The Industrial Revolution ........................................................................................................................... 52
Pre-Industrial Society............................................................................................................................... 54
Why Britain? ............................................................................................................................................ 55
Technological Changes in the Cotton Industry ........................................................................................ 56
Impact of the Water Frame and Factory System ...................................................................................... 56
Advancements in the Iron Industry and Innovations in Steel Production ............................................... 56
Transport Revolution ............................................................................................................................... 57
Society transformed ................................................................................................................................. 57
The Industrial Revolution and reform in Britain ..................................................................................... 58
The Industrial Revolution in Perspective ................................................................................................. 59
The World at War ......................................................................................................................................... 60
What were the origins of the Cold War ? ................................................................................................. 60
What were the effects of the First World War? ........................................................................................ 64
Why were there problems in making a peace settlement? ....................................................................... 68
Did the Germans have justified objections to the Treaty of Versailles? .................................................. 68
Verdict on the peace settlement................................................................................................................ 71
, 3
The Causes of the Second World War .......................................................................................................... 72
What were the causes of the Second World War? .................................................................................... 72
The cold war and beyond ............................................................................................................................. 76
East meets West origins of the cold war .................................................................................................. 76
Post-War Germany ................................................................................................................................... 76
World order = stalemate: .......................................................................................................................... 77
The Berlin Blockade ................................................................................................................................ 77
Cuban Context ......................................................................................................................................... 78
The “Third World” ................................................................................................................................... 79
The “Third World” in the Cold War ......................................................................................................... 79
The Korean War (1949-1953) .................................................................................................................. 79
Vietnam War (1954-1975)........................................................................................................................ 80
Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) .............................................................................................................. 80
Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) ............................................................................................................. 81
Industrialisation and Environmental Awareness in the 20th Century .......................................................... 82
THE WORLD ECONOMY AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT ....................................... 82
, 4
SILK ROAD CONNECTIONS 2
Expansion of the Mongol empire
The Mongol Empire was one of the largest empires in history, spanning a vast area of Eurasia in the
13th and 14th centuries. The Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, embarked on a
campaign of conquest and expansion that lasted for several decades, and saw them conquer much of
Central Asia, China, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The Mongol Empire expansion was a
remarkable feat of military strategy and organization, and its impact on world history cannot be
overstated.
The Mongols were a nomadic people who lived on the grassy plains of Central Asia. They were
known for their horsemanship and archery skills, and their ability to move quickly and effectively
over long distances. Genghis Khan, who emerged as the leader of the Mongols in the early 13th
century, united the various tribes under his rule and began a campaign of conquest that would
transform the world.
The early campaigns of the Mongols were aimed at consolidating their power over the various tribes
of Central Asia. Genghis Khan was a master strategist, and he used a combination of diplomacy,
bribery, and force to bring the tribes under his control. He also introduced new military tactics and
weapons, such as the composite bow and the stirrup, which gave the Mongols a significant
advantage over their enemies.
With Central Asia firmly under his control, Genghis Khan turned his attention to the outside world.
The Mongol Empire expansion began in earnest in the 1220s, with campaigns against the
Khwarezmian Empire in Persia and the Jin Dynasty in northern China. These campaigns were
characterized by lightning-fast attacks and the use of terror tactics, such as the massacre of entire
populations, to intimidate the enemy. The Mongols were also adept at using siege warfare and the
construction of elaborate fortifications to gain the upper hand in battle.
The Mongol Empire expansion continued throughout the 13th century, with campaigns against the
Song Dynasty in southern China, the Kingdom of Koryo in Korea, the Khwarazm Shahdom in
Persia, and the Volga Bulgars in Russia. The Mongols were able to conquer vast territories and
establish a network of trade routes that connected Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Silk Road,
which had been in use for centuries, was transformed into a massive trade network that allowed for
the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across the Eurasian continent.
Despite the brutal tactics used by the Mongols, their empire was characterized by relative religious
tolerance and a willingness to incorporate local customs and traditions into their own culture. The
Mongols also established a system of government that was highly centralized and efficient, with a
sophisticated bureaucracy and a system of taxation that allowed for the maintenance of a large
standing army.
The decline of the Mongol Empire began in the late 13th century, with internal divisions and
external pressures leading to the fragmentation of the empire into smaller, independent states.
Nevertheless, the impact of the Mongol Empire expansion on world history cannot be overstated.
The Mongols introduced new military tactics and weapons, facilitated the exchange of goods and
ideas across Eurasia, and established a system of government that was highly efficient and
GES 110 EXAM
Contents
GES 110 EXAM ................................................................................................................................................ 1
SILK ROAD CONNECTIONS 2 .................................................................................................................. 4
Expansion of the Mongol empire ............................................................................................................... 4
The Mongol Empire and Its Legacy........................................................................................................... 5
The Mongol empire and its impact on Eurasia .......................................................................................... 6
Why study the Mongol Empire? ................................................................................................................ 7
Mongol Economy....................................................................................................................................... 7
How did the Mongols raise to conquer Eurasia? ....................................................................................... 7
The Paradoxical Legacy ............................................................................................................................. 9
The Impact of the Mongol Empire........................................................................................................... 10
Black death................................................................................................................................................... 12
Diagnosis.................................................................................................................................................. 12
Scholarly debate ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Spreading death ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Theories of vulnerability and decline ...................................................................................................... 14
Impact and consequences ......................................................................................................................... 15
European dominance .................................................................................................................................... 17
Indian ocean ............................................................................................................................................. 17
The European entry .................................................................................................................................. 18
Europeans and Indian Ocean trade .......................................................................................................... 18
Sugar Revolution ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Slave-plantation-sugar triangle in the Atlantic ........................................................................................ 20
A history of sugar ..................................................................................................................................... 21
The demand for sugar .............................................................................................................................. 21
The Sugar Revolution .............................................................................................................................. 22
The Plantation Economy .......................................................................................................................... 22
Establishment of European empires............................................................................................................. 23
What are the characteristics of empires in the 19th century? .................................................................. 23
What were the motivations and justifications for the establishment of empires in the 19th century? .... 24
Leopold and the Congo ............................................................................................................................ 28
The End of the European Empires ............................................................................................................... 29
Why did the European Powers give up their Empires? ........................................................................... 30
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: .................................................................................................................. 35
, 2
Important events in the history of the conflict ......................................................................................... 36
Origins of the Conflict ............................................................................................................................. 37
Britain and Palestine ................................................................................................................................ 38
The Arab-Israeli War, 1948-9................................................................................................................... 39
The Suez War of 1956 .............................................................................................................................. 39
French Revolution ........................................................................................................................................ 40
The Pre-Revolutionary Phase .................................................................................................................. 40
The Moderate Phase ................................................................................................................................. 41
The Radical Phase .................................................................................................................................... 43
The Thermidorian Reaction and the Directory ........................................................................................ 44
The meaning of the French Revolution ................................................................................................... 44
The HaitianRevolution ................................................................................................................................. 45
Saint-Domingue ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Saint-Domingue Society .......................................................................................................................... 46
The Influence of the French Revolution .................................................................................................. 47
The outbreak of Slave Revolts ................................................................................................................. 48
Abolition of Slavery ................................................................................................................................. 49
British and Spanish Involvement ............................................................................................................. 50
The USA and Napoleon's Expedition ...................................................................................................... 50
Declaration of Haitian Independence (1804) ........................................................................................... 50
The meaning of the Haitian Revolution ................................................................................................... 51
The Industrial Revolution ........................................................................................................................... 52
Pre-Industrial Society............................................................................................................................... 54
Why Britain? ............................................................................................................................................ 55
Technological Changes in the Cotton Industry ........................................................................................ 56
Impact of the Water Frame and Factory System ...................................................................................... 56
Advancements in the Iron Industry and Innovations in Steel Production ............................................... 56
Transport Revolution ............................................................................................................................... 57
Society transformed ................................................................................................................................. 57
The Industrial Revolution and reform in Britain ..................................................................................... 58
The Industrial Revolution in Perspective ................................................................................................. 59
The World at War ......................................................................................................................................... 60
What were the origins of the Cold War ? ................................................................................................. 60
What were the effects of the First World War? ........................................................................................ 64
Why were there problems in making a peace settlement? ....................................................................... 68
Did the Germans have justified objections to the Treaty of Versailles? .................................................. 68
Verdict on the peace settlement................................................................................................................ 71
, 3
The Causes of the Second World War .......................................................................................................... 72
What were the causes of the Second World War? .................................................................................... 72
The cold war and beyond ............................................................................................................................. 76
East meets West origins of the cold war .................................................................................................. 76
Post-War Germany ................................................................................................................................... 76
World order = stalemate: .......................................................................................................................... 77
The Berlin Blockade ................................................................................................................................ 77
Cuban Context ......................................................................................................................................... 78
The “Third World” ................................................................................................................................... 79
The “Third World” in the Cold War ......................................................................................................... 79
The Korean War (1949-1953) .................................................................................................................. 79
Vietnam War (1954-1975)........................................................................................................................ 80
Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) .............................................................................................................. 80
Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) ............................................................................................................. 81
Industrialisation and Environmental Awareness in the 20th Century .......................................................... 82
THE WORLD ECONOMY AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT ....................................... 82
, 4
SILK ROAD CONNECTIONS 2
Expansion of the Mongol empire
The Mongol Empire was one of the largest empires in history, spanning a vast area of Eurasia in the
13th and 14th centuries. The Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, embarked on a
campaign of conquest and expansion that lasted for several decades, and saw them conquer much of
Central Asia, China, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The Mongol Empire expansion was a
remarkable feat of military strategy and organization, and its impact on world history cannot be
overstated.
The Mongols were a nomadic people who lived on the grassy plains of Central Asia. They were
known for their horsemanship and archery skills, and their ability to move quickly and effectively
over long distances. Genghis Khan, who emerged as the leader of the Mongols in the early 13th
century, united the various tribes under his rule and began a campaign of conquest that would
transform the world.
The early campaigns of the Mongols were aimed at consolidating their power over the various tribes
of Central Asia. Genghis Khan was a master strategist, and he used a combination of diplomacy,
bribery, and force to bring the tribes under his control. He also introduced new military tactics and
weapons, such as the composite bow and the stirrup, which gave the Mongols a significant
advantage over their enemies.
With Central Asia firmly under his control, Genghis Khan turned his attention to the outside world.
The Mongol Empire expansion began in earnest in the 1220s, with campaigns against the
Khwarezmian Empire in Persia and the Jin Dynasty in northern China. These campaigns were
characterized by lightning-fast attacks and the use of terror tactics, such as the massacre of entire
populations, to intimidate the enemy. The Mongols were also adept at using siege warfare and the
construction of elaborate fortifications to gain the upper hand in battle.
The Mongol Empire expansion continued throughout the 13th century, with campaigns against the
Song Dynasty in southern China, the Kingdom of Koryo in Korea, the Khwarazm Shahdom in
Persia, and the Volga Bulgars in Russia. The Mongols were able to conquer vast territories and
establish a network of trade routes that connected Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Silk Road,
which had been in use for centuries, was transformed into a massive trade network that allowed for
the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across the Eurasian continent.
Despite the brutal tactics used by the Mongols, their empire was characterized by relative religious
tolerance and a willingness to incorporate local customs and traditions into their own culture. The
Mongols also established a system of government that was highly centralized and efficient, with a
sophisticated bureaucracy and a system of taxation that allowed for the maintenance of a large
standing army.
The decline of the Mongol Empire began in the late 13th century, with internal divisions and
external pressures leading to the fragmentation of the empire into smaller, independent states.
Nevertheless, the impact of the Mongol Empire expansion on world history cannot be overstated.
The Mongols introduced new military tactics and weapons, facilitated the exchange of goods and
ideas across Eurasia, and established a system of government that was highly efficient and
