Explain the causes of the Dutch revolt.To what extent was Spain to blame for the outbreak of war with England in 1585?

4.i) The Netherlands had always been an important part of Philip's kingdom, as the Dutch contributed much to the crown's finances. However discontent amongst the Dutch were growing and they were often in conflict with Philip. Philip had appointed his half sister Margaret as regent of the Netherlands but never let her take any decisions. She had a close group of Spanish advisors and it was their advice rather than the Dutch grandees that Philip listened to. The nobles such as Orange resented this as they felt Philip did not understand them since he had left the Netherlands in 1559 with the promise to return but never did. Tension grew over religious matters as the Dutch grandees became more influenced by Calvinist ideas. As a devout Catholic Philip did not allow religious tolerance and wanted to stamp out heresy in all parts of his kingdom. As well as executing heretics, he also proposed reforms to the church system in the Netherlands. Cardinal Granvelle was made Archbishop but he was hated by the nobles. Eventually Philip removed him in 1564 and the reforms were suspended, but the relations were worsened with Philip seen as an autocrat who didn't consult the people before applying changes. Egmont visited Philip to ask for relaxation of heresy laws, but Philip refused and ordered continual campaign against heresy in the Segovia letters. This led to open revolt of protestant

  • Word count: 950
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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General Strike 1926

Tutor Marked Assignment E Why did the General Strike of 1926 fail and what were the consequences of its failure? a) Identify key issues involved. The TUC who represents the miners, was under the strong impression that a "threat" of a General Strike was sufficient enough to bring results. They underestimated Baldwin's and the mine owners' obstinacy. Relying strongly on the Samuel Commission to find a way out, the TUC was not at all prepared for a General Strike. The threat of the TUC was not forceful enough to instill fear in the government. In fact, the government was better prepared for the strike and they knew that the TUC had made very few plans. The miners were represented by a weak body and the government knew that the TUC was not wholehearted and gullible to government tactics. However by the 11th May (8th day of the strike) there was no sign that the government would give way. When Sir Herbert Samuel offered to act as Mediator, the TUC accepted. On the 12th May, the TUC called off the Strike, hoping that the Samuel Memorandum (suggesting a short-term renewal of the subsidy to maintain wage levels, no wage reductions until reorganization was assured, and a National Wages Board) would be accepted, though it was strictly unofficial and Baldwin had given no guarantees. Since the mine-owners refused to compromise, the coal strikes dragged on until December. In the end

  • Word count: 1483
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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South African Heritage - Where we come from?

Brian Lockyer History _ Heritage Assignment February 2008 Activity 1 ) What do the figures in Source A show about the type of heritage valued in South Africa before 1989? The figures tell us that before 1989 the majority of national heritage monuments were of Dutch and European descent. The type of heritage that was valued was definitely the heritage of the old colonials (Dutch and British) as well as the Boer and Huguenot. The heritage of the native Africans was virtually non existent which was understandable before 1989 as the apartheid government was still in power and they would not have recognized the Africans and other indigenous people as being a valuable part of South African heritage. 2) Which categories of heritage identified in Source B are represented in the monuments listed in Source C? (Refer to all the places listed in Source C for your answer) Mapungubwe Hill - Historical settlements and townscapes. Ndebele Home - Places, buildings, structures and equipment of cultural significance. Graves of Sicelo Mhlauli, Fort Calata etc. - Graves and burial grounds Thulamela - Places where oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage. Umbilo Shree Ambal V Anar Ala Y Am - Places, buildings, structures and equipment of cultural significance. Bokaap in Cape town - Sites of significance relating to

  • Word count: 3405
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Education in the 19th Century

History A-Level Education Assignment 2 . Source A is a primary source, a memoir of a board school pupil. It gives many impressions of what education was like in the 19th century. Advantages given of source A was, education was greatly improving, many subjects like 'geography, physiology, dress making' were introduced to improve the pupils learning. Pupils were taken on educational trips, 'to see Ellen Terry in Romeo and Juliet', which shows that school was not boring and compulsive. When the pupils had physical education, they had to wear special type of clothing, 'we wore navy gym slips', this shows that hygiene was improving and uniform was introduced. Although there were a lot of improvements there still were some bad views from this source. Children often were still unhygienic and unclean. Often diseases were spread like ringworm and nits, 'there were children with dirty heads, lice dropping on to desks, children with warts on hands...' this shows how disturbing and dirty these schools were. Different classes were mixed in to the same lessons so younger age would find it harder to understand, 'two district classes', this shows that children came out of school with a poor education. There was very little to find out in Source B as it showed a photograph of children in a board school. The good points I found out about this source was they had all boys schools which could

  • Word count: 1271
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The rise of fascism

The rise of fascism Fascism is known as an ideology. The routes of fascism are from the ancient times of Sparta. Fascism spread in WW1 in country's like, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan. Fascism relies on brute force; aggression, bloodshed, violence and the spreading of terror through secret police paralysing people with fear. Fascism even goes as far to education, culture, religion and art. Fascism is more or less an ideology, which seeks to replace the moral values of the divine religion to replace with pagan savagery. In Nazi Germany there are many levels to fascism, with fascism being the top layer. These lower levels come in the form of, Darwinism, Eugenics, paganism, symbols (Swastika) and secret societies. Darwin believed that the strong survive and the weak shall perish. Darwin's theory would form aggressive ideology around the world. The worst case of this happened in Nazi Germany. The Nazis thought to create a 'perfect Germany' and the 'perfect Arian race' they had to eliminate all the disabled and mentally ill German people of Germany. They done this by castrating the disabled and mentally ill people, so they cannot bring into the world, and German society similar off spring like themselves. Of course, through the years, science has proven it is not possible to cut human defects out of the human cycle. This again was another act of Nazi ideology. To be fair to

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Did the Radical Reformation fail because it lacked the support of the Holy Roman princes?

Did the Radical Reformation fail because it lacked the support of the Holy Roman princes? What is generally understood on a historical level by the term "Radical Reformation" is the religious and political movement of Anabaptism, which spread across Switzerland, southern Germany and the Low Countries during the 16th century. Anabaptism began as a compilation of Christian theology that deviated from Catholic and conventional Protestant doctrine, chief among which was the belief that infant baptism has no basis in the Holy Scriptures and that a child cannot be forced to make a religious commitment. Instead, Anabaptists advocate baptism for adults who have personally chosen to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Conclusions on the origins of Anabaptism are varied, but two major groups that emerged in the 16th century were the Swiss Brethren in Zurich (expelled in 1526 at the insistence of Huldrych Zwingli) and the followers of Melchior Hoffman in Holland. One of the key historical differences between the Anabaptists and more mainstream Protestants, such as Lutherans, was that Anabaptism received no support from the ruling magistrates, hence Anabaptism's designation as a Radical Reformation (as opposed to the Lutheran's Magisterial Reformation, which received political support). The aim of this essay is to determine whether this difference was decisive for the fate of the

  • Word count: 1127
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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To What Extent was World War Two the Key Turning Point in Britain's Relationship with her Empire?

To What Extent was World War Two the Key Turning Point in Britain's Relationship with her Empire? World War Two had a significant impact on Britain's relationship with her Empire. It was the final trigger in the decolonisation of India and showed up Britain's weaknesses as a world power. However, decolonisation did not begin with the Second World War and there are events both before and afterwards, which had just as great, if not more significant impact on Britain's relationship with her Empire. One of the most important results to come out of the Second World War was to establish the 'World Powers'. Prior to the War, Britain was considered one of the greatest powers in the world with an expansive army and navy, as well as the forces of its colonies, at its disposal. Britain used this image to help protect their empire, wanting others to believe that they could crush anyone who attacked them. They were especially proud of their Navy, which was maintained so that it was the size of the second and third largest navies put together. To other countries, Britain seemed liked a formidable enemy and they would not have been keen to cross her. World War Two, however, changed this perception of Britain. The British found themselves unable to defeat the Germans alone, especially after the defeat of France. Instead, they had to rely on help from the two new super powers - the USA and

  • Word count: 1961
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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How did han (domain) rivalry contribute to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate?

How did han (domain) rivalry contribute to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate? After the signing of the Treaty of Edo in 1858, the balance of power in Japan, which had remained more or less frozen since the 17th century, began to change. This shift of authority was in Kyoto's flavour, while the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo saw its power ever declining. The issue that divided the two camps and finally brought about Tokugawa's demise was Japan's foreign policy. The Emperor represented the xenophobic faction, resisting almost all forms of contact with the West. The Shogun's position was awkward as it was supposed to resist the foreigners but failed. It was forced to agree to western incessant demands. Some western clans, prominent among them were Satsuma and Choshu, took sides according to their own interests. In the Bakumatsu period there was han rivalry which centred around Kyoto, Edo and among tomaza clans. This played a decisive role in Tokugawa collapse. The rivalry set in motion two phenomena: the gradual weakening of Bakufu power and the strengthening of Satsuma and Choshu. Indeed they were almost interrelated. The Shogun's fall of power is to be examined first. Han rivalry did much to weaken the power of the Shogunate. In June 1862, at the urging of Satsuma and Choshu, the Court decided to send a special envoy to Edo to demand that Hitotsubashi and Matsudaira,

  • Word count: 1013
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Luther and the Peasants

Luther and the Peasants Sources A and B are useful when analysing Luther's attitude towards the Peasant's War, yet there are certain ways in which they do not entirely reflect his own views. As events unfolded during 1525, Luther's attitudes to the peasants transformed, and this is demonstrated in the two sources. From the sources, it is clear that between March and May of 1525 Luther's feelings about who was to blame for the actions of the peasants changed, showing that he initially believed they should not be blamed for the chaos that unfolded, but eventually came to the conclusion that their later actions were unnecessary and therefore condemns the peasants instead. As this issue directly targets the views that Luther held in reference to the Peasant's War, it is appropriate that all of the views expressed in the sources are those of Luther himself. As they are both the direct opinions of the man himself, and as Luther was never one to refrain from expressing his controversial feelings, it is fair to conclude that they give an accurate representation of Luther's attitude at the time. The sources also reflect Luther's view that unnecessary violence should be avoided, as although in Source A he gives the peasants the benefit of the doubt by stating that the princes and lords "deserve this judgement of God against them", Source B shows that he felt the way in which the

  • Word count: 851
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Political issues far outweigh religious issues in explaining the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572?

Political issues far outweigh religious issues in explaining the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572? In explaining the causes for the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572 both the political and religious issues are inextricably linked. However, it can be argued that without the continuous political issues arising, stemming from the alienation of the grandees through the introduction of the bishopric scheme, the consulta and effectively the removal of Granvelle, the religious issues were indeed no different to those of previous decades which concerned Charles V and were thus the basis to what the new political issues were founded upon. One of the long term causes of the Dutch Revolt can be seen through the constant discontent of the grandees due to the alienation of their power, due to the fact that they were under foreign rule and thus there was little national feeling amongst the people of the Netherlands, in each province, and great resentment against Philip II and Spain. This dislike was further fuelled by the fact that Philip made no attempt to learn to speak Dutch or French, like the former ruler his father Charles V, and had little respect for the Dutch customs, privileges and traditional rights. In addition Philip was resented as he was continuously busy with the rule of his other home country Spain, war with France and the problems with the

  • Word count: 1351
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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