History Flashcards
History may be the most important of all academic disciplines for imparting wisdom. Fill your brain with World, U.S. & European History. The perfect study guide, no matter what textbook you are using.
decks
flashcards
learners
"Brainscape helped me study faster and stay consistent. The flashcards made it much easier to remember what mattered most."
Browse these flashcards.
Gunpowder Empires and East Asia
The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires built their dominance on gunpowder weapons. This deck focuses on these empires' rise and their conquests in the Middle East and India.
30
cards
Europe: the Long 19th Century
Ranging from the outbreak of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars until the First World War, this deck examines Europe's long 19th century.
46
cards
Middle East, Africa, and Asia, 1700-1900
From 1700 to 1900, much of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia fell under the control of European powers. This deck traces the historical process that led to both direct and indirect colonization of large portions of the globe by Europeans.
48
cards
North and South America, 1763-1900
In North and South America, colonial dominance by the French, Spanish, and British ended for the most part by the 1840s. This deck traces the fall of the American colonial empires of the European powers and the post-independence path of the new North and South American nations.
19
cards
World War I and the Treaty of Versailles
The focus of this deck is on World War I, which signaled the end of the old European order, and the seeds of discord and future conflict sown by the Treaty of Versailles.
54
cards
The Interwar Years
This deck focuses on world events between World War I and World War II, how international peacekeeping bodies failed to ensure international tranquility, and how militarism and totalitarianism arose in Europe and East Asia.
49
cards
World War II
World War II was a global conflict that ranged from the shores of North America to China and Europe. This deck traces the path to war and the peace that emerged after the war's end.
24
cards
The Cold War
After World War II, world events took place against the background of conflict between the world's two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States. This deck examines the period between World War II and the fall of the Soviet Union.
49
cards
Decolonization and the Post-Cold War World
This deck focuses on the sometimes troubled paths through which European colonies were granted their freedom, and examines world history in the wake of the Soviet Union's fall.
35
cards
Pre-Columbian Societies
Before Columbus’s arrival, the Americas were home to several vibrant civilizations. This deck describes the Indian empires of Mesoamerica, the southwest, and the Mississippi River Valley.
10
cards
Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690
The English, French, Dutch, and Spanish each engaged in significant colonial efforts. This deck describes their attempts to establish permanent outposts in the New World, the arrival of the settlers, Jamestown and Plymouth Bay, and the birth of religious liberty in British North America.
54
cards
Colonial North America, 1690-1754
During the 16th and 17th centuries British North America continued to expand, developing its own economy and political institutions. This deck covers the early period of the American colonies.
31
cards
American Revolution, 1754-1789
Beginning with the French and Indian War, this deck describes the growing American resistance to British rule, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the establishment of the United States as one nation.
58
cards
Early Republic, 1789-1815
The new American nation was beset by difficulties both at home and abroad. This deck covers the Presidencies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.
85
cards
Antebellum America: Economy
This deck describes the changes in the American economy in the years before the Civil War, as it was transformed by new inventions, proto-industrialization, and efforts to increase trade.
36
cards
Antebellum America: Politics
As the Era of Good Feelings ended, the American political scene in the antebellum period was dominated by the struggle between the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs. This deck reviews the rise of judicial federalism, tariff controversies, the struggle for states’ rights, and the Bank War.
41
cards
Antebellum America: Society
This deck covers the religious and cultural developments in Antebellum America, including Evangelical protestant revivalism, social reforms, ideals of domesticity, and the rise of a uniquely American form of artistic and literary expression.
42
cards
Manifest Destiny
New immigrants and the search for greater opportunities drove America’s great push westward. This deck describes Americans' belief in a Manifest Destiny, the Mexican American War, and interactions with Indian tribes west of the Mississippi River.
28
cards
Crisis of the Union
In the decade before the Civil War, America faced new struggles, sectionalism, tensions over slavery, and efforts to digest the lands acquired in the Mexican American War. This deck covers the period from the Compromise of 1850 to the election of Abraham Lincoln.
51
cards
Civil War
This deck reviews the specific events, military strategies, and sociopolitical and economic effects of the Civil War, and includes the drive towards Emancipation.
42
cards
Reconstruction
Beginning with the plans of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, this deck describes Northern attempts to remake the South and ensure African American civil rights. The deck concludes with the presidential election of 1876 and the removal of the last federal troops from the South.
36
cards
Origins of the New South
This deck describes the efforts of Southerners to rebuild their economy and offset African American civil and political advances in the years after Reconstruction.
13
cards
Development of the West: Late 1800s
During the second half of the 19th century, the American Frontier pushed westward, driven by farmers, cattlemen, and the railroad. This deck covers the beginnings of federal regulation, the rise of the Grangers and Greenback Parties, and the push for Free Silver.
41
cards
Industrial America: Late 1800s
In this deck, the problems and promises of early modern industrial America are explored, including political corruption, economic opportunity, and technological advancement.
43
cards
Urban Society: Late 1800s
This deck describes the final decades of the 19th century; the birth of Populism, the rising influx of immigrants, efforts at governmental reform, and the cultural achievements of the period.
45
cards
Populism and Progressivism
Covering the period between the Spanish American War and Woodrow Wilson’s election, this deck spans 1898-1912, covering the rise of the muckrakers, Teddy Roosevelt’s administration, and attempts to counter the monopolies.
71
cards
America as a World Power
American efforts to remain neutral in World War I, the subsequent involvement of the U.S. in European affairs, and the failure of Wilson’s efforts to get Senate approval for the League of Nations are the focus of this deck.
29
cards
The New Era: 1920s
The 1920s was the Jazz Age, a mix of the Lost Generation with those who perceived a bright new future of American prosperity. This deck describes the Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover Administrations, evolving American standards of morality, and the cultural influences of the 1920s.
44
cards
Great Depression and New Deal
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression provided the impetus for Franklin Roosevelt’s unprecedented expansion of the federal government. This deck describes domestic affairs and foreign policy during Roosevelt’s first two terms in office.
70
cards
World War II: Home & Abroad
Involvement in the Second World War, both abroad and on the home front, signaled vast changes in American culture and values. This deck covers early American involvement in the War through the conflict’s end in 1945.
43
cards
United States & Early Cold War
In the post-WWII world, America faced a new enemy in the Soviet Union. This deck describes the beginnings of Cold War tensions, and efforts to rebuild Europe and Japan.
49
cards
The 1950s
Popularly viewed as an idyllic time in American history, the 1950s saw the beginnings of the civil rights movement, continued struggles with the Soviet Union, and the rise of the military-industrial complex. This deck describes the foreign and domestic issues facing the country during the Eisenhower years.
34
cards
The Turbulent 1960s
The election of John F. Kennedy seemed full of promise to many Americans, but the decade saw tumultuous domestic upheavals, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the struggle for civil rights and American involvement in Vietnam. This deck covers events from Kennedy’s inauguration through Johnson’s Great Society.
53
cards
Late 20th Century & Watergate
While President Nixon’s foreign policy efforts earned praise from admirers and critics alike, the Watergate Scandal tarnished the Presidency, and America entered a period of economic malaise. The administrations of Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter are described, covering the period from 1968-1979.
42
cards
Reagan Era & End of Cold War
Elected in 1980, President Ronald Reagan promised Morning in America. This deck details the birth of the conservative movement, Reagan’s foreign and domestic policies, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Persian Gulf War.
36
cards
Post-Cold War United States
Although the post-Reagan era is not a significant part of the AP U.S. History exam, this deck provides an overview of the Clinton and Bush Presidencies as America worked to define itself as the world's sole superpower.
27
cards
Prehistory
Prehistory refers to the world before the written word. This deck provides an underpinning in world geography, early human development, and the rise of the first cities.
44
cards
The River Civilizations
The earliest civilizations arose along rivers. This deck decribes the foundation of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Indian, and Chinese civilization.
41
cards
Early Religion and Thought
Ranging from the polytheism of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to the monotheism of the Jews, this deck describes World History's earliest religions.
45
cards
States and Empires
This deck describes the development of the world's first empires in Greece, Rome, India, and China.
52
cards
Europe: the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
From the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the rise of Italian city-states, this deck traces European history through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
60
cards
The Islamic World
Rising in the 600s, Islamic forces quickly dominated much of the Middle East. This deck describes Middle Eastern and African history through the 1400s.
28
cards
East Asia from 200 to 1250
The history of East Asia from 200 to 1250 is the focus of this deck, including the histories of China, India, and Japan.
29
cards
The Americas and Early Colonial Efforts
Following the Spanish discovery of the New World in 1492, Europeans quickly conquered much of North and South America. This deck covers the high and low points of the European colonial effort.
46
cards
Europe, Reformation, and Enlightenment
This deck traces European history from the earliest challenges to the Catholic Church's authority during the Reformation to the rise of the secular philosophes and the European Enlightenment.
53
cards
The Late Middle Ages
This deck describes the state of religion, culture, and government in the Late Middle Ages.
24
cards
The Renaissance
The Renaissance began in Italy before spreading northward to influence the rest of Europe. This deck covers the Renaissance’s birth in Italy, its cultural underpinnings, and its effect throughout Europe.
41
cards
The Age of Exploration
In the 15th century, powerful states began to develop with significant power concentrated in the hands of monarchs. This deck covers the growth of these powerful monarchies and their exploratory efforts in both Asia and the New World.
34
cards
The Reformation
Challenges to the Catholic Church’s hegemonic power over European religious life began in earnest with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. This deck reviews the growth of the Reformation, leading lights such as Luther and Calvin, and the Catholic Church’s Counter-Reformation.
43
cards
The Wars of Religion
Disputes between Protestants and Catholics were not merely questions of religious doctrine, but became temporal conflicts. This deck reviews the fearful carnage that ensued from wars between religious factions, culminating in the Thirty Years’ War.
32
cards
The Growth of Constitutionalism
The end of the Thirty Years’ War brought about the modern nation-state. This deck describes the birth of constitutional government in the Dutch Republic and England.
42
cards
Absolutism in France
According to legend, France's King Louis XIV said, “L'État, c'est moi." This deck reviews the growth of the monarchy in France as an atypical form of absolutist government.
15
cards
The Enlightenment
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the seeds sown during the Renaissance began to flower as new scientific methodology took hold. This deck covers the Scientific Revolution's luminaries such as Bacon and Newton, as well as the growth of the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason.
26
cards
Eastern Europe & Balance of Power
Much like France, Eastern Europe developed its own system of absolutism. Monarchs such as Frederick the Great, Marie Therese, and Catherine the Great ruled as enlightened despots, coupling the Enlightenment’s principle of rational government with absolutism. This deck, which reviews the growth of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, also introduces the concept of balance of power, which would guide European diplomacy for centuries.
30
cards
The French Revolution
Like nothing before or since, the French Revolution marked a new chapter in the evolution of Europe. This deck describes the causes of the French Revolution, its outbreak and excesses, and the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.
43
cards
The Concert of Europe
After the defeat of France in the Napoleonic Wars, the major European powers worked together to maintain peace and harmony on the Continent. This deck covers the diplomatic efforts to ensure that conservatism and gradual change remained triumphant in European affairs, as well as the Revolutions of 1848.
46
cards
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution, the increased urbanization of industrial societies, posed challenges and presented opportunities for both government and culture. This deck reviews the efforts of civil authorities to cope with the challenges of industrialization, the rise of realism, and the efforts of political theorists to respond to the new challenges.
47
cards
Nationalism & Realpolitik
As the nations of Italy and Germany unified, nationalism and realpolitik dominated European diplomacy and national rhetoric. This deck covers the Italian and German reunification, the rise of nationalism, and the troubling portents for Europe’s future.
32
cards
The Road to the Great War
In the late 19th century, Europe enjoyed peace and prosperity, but troubling currents would soon lead to the outbreak of the Great War. This deck covers the important trends of the late 19th century, including both scientific advancements and Russian domestic troubles.
26
cards
World War One
The First World War rocked the European psyche and changed the landscape of Europe. This deck describes imperialism, the outbreak of war, and the results of four years of total war.
45
cards
Europe After Versailles
The First World War was supposed to be the “war that ended all wars,” but the Treaty of Versailles created more problems than it solved. This deck covers the period of the 1920s and the problems that arose out of efforts to treat the trauma of the First World War.
45
cards
World War Two
The Second World War laid waste to much of Europe. This deck reviews the rise of totalitarianism, the ineffectual nature of the League of Nations, and the six years of total war.
28
cards
The Cold War
After the Second World War’s end, the Soviet Union emerged as the dominant power in Europe, countered only by the United States' protection of Western European democracies. This deck describes the Cold War and its effect on European government.
42
cards
Europe in the Post-Soviet Era
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of the European Union presented both opportunities and challenges for European government. This deck reviews the events which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the establishment of close cooperation between the powers of Western Europe, and the challenges facing Europe in the 21st century.
20
cards
The smartest study method.
Brainscape's spaced repetition system is scientifically proven to help you learn faster and develop better study habits.
Easy to add your own flashcards.
Collaborate with others, add media, and keep all your flashcards in sync between the Brainscape website and mobile app.
