History

Refine Search

Who invented the arch?

Arches have been used in the architecture of ancient societies for thousands of years, so it is difficult to know exactly who invented arches. Sumerians receive the credit based on the appearance of arches in ancient aqueduct ruins. Romans figured out to reinforce the arch so that weight placed on it could be more evenly distributed. They reinforced the midsection by adding concrete, a Roman invention and that is primarily credited with the durability of Roman structures. The foundation of the arch is the keystone, which acts as the pivotal stone that distributes weight throughout the structur..

Continue Reading

How did capitalism change during the Industrial Revolution?

The capitalist system that began during the Industrial Revolution is one of the most effective and efficient methods of production in human history. In the decades and centuries following the Industrial Revolution, the effects of tools, machinery and the ability to increase output and efficiency have spread worldwide.\nPrior to the Industrial Revolution, agriculture was the primary form of capitalism. Small markets and farms were economic drivers. These forms of commerce were ideal for supporting and sustaining small families and communities, but it was the introduction of sophisticated tools ..

Continue Reading

What happened in 1861?

The Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865. It began with the secession of seven Southern slave states from the United States. These states formed the Confederate States of America, known as the "Confederacy" or the "South." Jefferson Davis was elected provisional Confederate president by acclamation and was inaugurated on Feb. 18, 1861. The Confederacy grew in number when Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861, followed within five weeks by Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina, bringing the total number of states in the Confederacy to 11. The states that did not secede were know..

Continue Reading

How did the Meiji government modernize Japan?

Japan's feudal era was brought to an abrupt halt in 1868 by Western powers like the United States, and also since Europe forced open Japanese borders. In Japanese history at this point in time, the highest ranking leader was called the shogun, or great general. The shogun had to relinquish his power and was replaced by the emperor. The emperor called himself Meiji. Meiji means "enlightened rule" in Japanese. With the reinstallation of the emperor as the highest authority in the land, he was supposed to both command and lead the Japanese people.\nIn reality, a group of imperial advisers ma..

Continue Reading

What are some fun facts about Vasco de Gama?

Although Vasco de Gama's date of birth is unknown, historians believe it to be either 1460 or 1469. Historians find a date in 1560 more believable, since otherwise his explorations began in his twenties. His father was an explorer as well and was supposed to lead the voyage, but after many delays and his father's death, Vasco de Gama assumed leadership as a kind of lucky inheritance. He proved to be a great navigator and even used the seasonal monsoon winds to bring his expedition to India in a comparatively shorter time for the period.\nVasco de Gama's first voyage was a peacef..

Continue Reading

How do you learn about arrowhead identification?

According to Warpaths2Peacepipes, identifying points and shapes for arrowheads can take the arrowhead collector as far back as 14,000 years. Larger points are defined as spearheads, lance points and dart points. Warpaths2Peacepipes.com states that smaller arrowheads, which were attached to an arrow, penetrated the skin more deeply when they were used without a bow.\nThe oldest known arrowheads are fluted arrowheads. Approximately 14,000 years old, the Native American relics feature vertical grooves in the arrowhead's center.\nAnother arrowhead known as the archaic side notch is approximat..

Continue Reading

Who were some famous women in the Revolutionary War?

Martha Washington is well-known as America's original first lady, but she also helped the war effort by arriving on the battlefields with supplies for the soldiers and made it a point to join her husband at the winter encampments during the war. There are many stories about Abigail Adams who is widely known to have been a partner with her husband, but in one famous story she wrote to her husband before the Second Continental Congress to "remember the ladies." She wanted the congress to remember to include women in the fight for independence.

Continue Reading

What were FDR's major accomplishments?

In 1933, Roosevelt established the Good Neighbor policy with Latin America. During World War II, he also developed strategies to defeat Germany in Europe.\nRoosevelt was the only President to be elected for four terms, and he led the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. He subsidized mortgages and provided relief to the unemployed. Roosevelt assisted China in its war against Japan. He also declared Britain and France as America's defense against Nazi Germany. He increased the flow of supplies to France, Britain and Russia during World War II. The attack on Pearl Har..

Continue Reading

When did the Holocaust end?

The Holocaust did not start with the mass moving of its victims into camps. At first, the Nazis forced people, particularly Jews, into ghettos. These were cramped and restrictive portions of the cities. Near the end of the Holocaust, when the Germans were losing World War II, the remaining concentration camp prisoners were forced to march in order to prevent their being freed by Allied forces.

Continue Reading

What were the main events that occurred during Abraham Lincoln's presidency?

Here are some of the most important events of Lincoln's presidency and the Civil War:Lincoln is elected: On March 4th, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the country. He was the first republican president. His election triggered seven southern states to secede in a short time period before his inaugural speech.Start of the Civil War: The American Civil War started on April 12th, 1861. The first act was a 33-hour bombardment on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.Slavery is eliminated in District of Columbia: One of the biggest issues that the war revolved around was sla..

Continue Reading
Showing 8161 to 8170 of 8554 (856 Pages)