History

Refine Search

What was the impact of the scientific revolution?

They took these ideas, used combined brainpower and tested them on many different levels to ensure that they were, in fact, true. The British Royal Society helped with these efforts by recognizing science officially and allowing scientists a place to publish all of their findings from each experiment. The largest issue that scientists faced before and during the revolution was that much of the work was being done by one single scientist for many different subjects. They realized that this created variables in experiments and led to higher instances of faulty results in experiments. The beginni..

Continue Reading

Why were men shot for cowardice in World War I?

Thanks to the inclusion of new technologies and the sheer scope of the conflict, World War I brought about warfare on a scale the world had never seen before. Many of the men who fought in the war came home with an ailment that was then described as shell shock, but now this illness is referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder. Though it is now seen as a legitimate issue that should be dealt with compassionately, men who would run, panic or otherwise be rendered unable to hold a gun and fight were then considered to be cowards and were often executed by firing squad. In more modern times, ..

Continue Reading

When was the abacus invented?

Some experts believe that the abacus was invented independently in different cultures. This is supported by the existence of abacus-like tools in the New World, where inhabitants would have had no contact with the Sumerians. The abacus is still used throughout the world, and those who practice extensively are often able to perform a wide range of calculations faster than people with access to calculators. Researchers believe that practice with an abacus can help people develop better mental math skills.

Continue Reading

What were the important events of 1992?

Elsewhere in the world, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, triggering a 3-year war among Muslims, Serbs, and Croats. The European Union was founded with the signing of the Maastricht treaty on Feb. 7, 1992. In India that year, widespread rioting occurred with Hindus fighting Muslims, leaving over 2,000 dead.\nA world-changing event was the 1992 vote to end apartheid in South Africa. On a sadder note in Africa, Somalia was in the midst of a countrywide famine due to a civil war; a U.S.-led United Nations humanitarian intervention occurred in 1992. Forces w..

Continue Reading

Why did segregationists want to impeach Earl Warren?

The first case that Warren considered as a Supreme Court justice was Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. Biding his time until his appointment was confirmed by the Senate, Warren encouraged the justices to find common ground on the issue. Ultimately, he persuaded them to reach a consensus by arguing that the only way to uphold segregation was by believing in the inherent inferiority of blacks, and only Supreme Court unanimity would overcome strong resistance to desegregation in the southern states. Segregationists who opposed the ruling initiated the "Impeach Earl Warren" movement because the..

Continue Reading

Where is the Parthenon located?

The Athenian Acropolis is a hill overlooking the city, and it once served as the religious and financial center of ancient Athens. Besides the Parthenon, some of the buildings that have survived to modern times are Athena Nike (an Ionic temple built during the Peloponnesian War), the Propylaea and the Erechtheion. The ancient Greeks built the Parthenon after another temple, which archeologists today call the "Pre-Parthenon," was destroyed by Persians in 480 BC. The Greeks began construction on the current Parthenon in 447 BC. The Athenian empire was then at the height of its powers and dedicat..

Continue Reading

What was Warren G. Harding's campaign slogan?

Harding's primary campaign slogan, "Return to Normalcy," followed the belief that the nation would be better off and the people would enjoy their lives more if things could go back to "normal" just as they were before World War I. This also meant that Harding was interested in going back to the policies that had existed before Woodrow Wilson's administration policies.

Continue Reading

What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

As the independent colonies were in the process of drafting individual state constitutions, Britain's oppressive rule made many citizens reluctant to grant too much power to the central government. Although the states were determined to maintain their sovereignty, the Continental Congress recognized a need for uniformity on interstate matters, such as currency, civil disputes and military preparation, according to the Independence Hall Association.\nThe Articles of Confederation defined the powers of the federal government and the 13 states. Regardless of size, each state contributed one ..

Continue Reading

How did George Washington help America?

Washington was born in colonial Virginia in 1731. He became a surveyor and soldier and fought in the French and Indian War on behalf of the colonies, quickly rising to become one of the senior officers. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted him the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and he led the new American forces against the British in the War for Independence. Washington commanded the army that drove the British out of Boston. His superior knowledge of military strategy led to the capture of two major divisions of the British Army at Saratoga and Yorktown, hastening the ..

Continue Reading

Which president is credited with coining the term “OK”?

The association with Old Kinderhook O.K. with the meaning of "all right" or "good" may have come from the fact that Van Buren's supporters formed O.K. clubs during his presidential campaign. However, the term may also have initially been associated with a comical misspelling of "all correct" as "oll korrect."

Continue Reading
Showing 2431 to 2440 of 8554 (856 Pages)