Free Printable Worksheets for learning Political History at the College level

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Political History

What is Political History?

  • Political History is the study of the development of political systems and their evolution over time.

Key Concepts

  • Political ideologies
  • Political leaders and movements
  • Political institutions
  • Political revolutions
  • Political systems

Key Terms and Definitions

  • Democracy: a system of government in which power is held by the people or their representatives, who are elected through free and fair elections.
  • Monarchy: a system of government in which a monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a constitution or another framework.
  • Totalitarianism: a system of government in which the state exercises total control over all aspects of people's lives, including political, social, and economic activities.
  • Nationalism: an ideology that emphasizes the importance of one's national identity and promotes the interests of one's nation as a whole.
  • Communism: a political and economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state, and wealth is distributed equally among the population.

Important Political Events

  • French Revolution
  • American Revolution
  • World War One and Two
  • Cold War
  • Civil Rights Movement
  • Arab Spring

Takeaways

  • Political History is the study of political systems and their evolution over time.
  • Key concepts include political ideologies, leaders and movements, institutions, revolutions, and systems.
  • Important political events include revolutions, wars, and movements.
  • Understanding Political History helps us comprehend the origins and functioning of modern political systems.

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Word Definition
Democracy A form of government in which power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Example: The United States is a democracy.
Monarchy A form of government with a monarch at the head. Example: The United Kingdom is a monarchy.
Dictatorship A form of government where one person, the dictator, has complete control over the country. Example: North Korea is a dictatorship.
Republic A form of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Example: France is a republic.
Suffrage The right to vote in political elections. Example: Women's suffrage movement helped women gain the right to vote.
Revolution A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system. Example: The French Revolution.
Activism The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. Example: Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist for Civil Rights.
Nationalism A patriotic feeling or love of country, often accompanied by the belief that one's own country is superior to others. Example: Nationalism played a role in the lead up for World War 1.
Capitalism An economic system in which private individuals and businesses own and control the means of production and trade. Example: The United States is a capitalist country.
Socialism An economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy. Example: Venezuela is said to be following a socialist economic system.
Bureaucracy A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. Example: China is known to have a bureaucratic system of governance.
Liberalism A political philosophy based on ideas of liberty and equality. Example: John Locke is a scholar heavily associated with liberalism.
Conservatism A political philosophy that upholds tradition and authority, emphasizing established institutions and current values. Example: The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was known for his conservative views.
Communism A political theory in which all property (land, natural resources, factories, industries, etc) is publicly owned and each person is paid according to their abilities and needs. Example: The Soviet Union was one of the best known communist regimes.
Fascism An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. Example: Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy's fascist party during World War 2.
Totalitarianism A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial, requiring complete subservience to the state. Example: George Orwell's book '1984' depicts a totalitarian society.
Militarism The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. Example: Japan's militarism led to their involvement in WW2.
Cold War A state of political and military tension after WW2 between the Western powers (primarily US-led NATO) and Eastern powers (primarily Soviet-led Warsaw Pact). Example: The space race was a result of the cold war.
Suffragette Any advocate of women's right to vote. Example: Emily Davison was a well-known suffragette.
Impeachment The process of charging a public official with wrongdoing while in office. Example: President Bill Clinton was impeached but not removed from office.

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Political History Study Guide

Introduction

Political history is a subfield of history that investigates the structures and relationships involved in government, politics, power, and authority. The following outline will provide a framework for studying political history.

Key Themes in Political History

Sovereignty

  • Definition of sovereignty
  • Different interpretations throughout history
  • Exploring sovereignty of the state and the individual

Democracy

  • Definition of democracy
  • Historical evolution of democratic governments
  • Different democratic systems: presidential, parliamentary, and others
  • Critiques of different democratic systems

Power

  • Definition of power
  • Forms of power: economic, social, and political
  • Power relations between governments, classes, and individuals
  • Exploration of hard and soft power, and how it is used in politics

Ideology

  • Definition of ideology
  • Examples of ideology, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and others
  • The role of ideology in political discourse
  • How ideology influences policy decisions

War and Peace

  • Historical evolution of war and peace
  • Causes of war and how they have changed over time
  • Peace treaties and their significance
  • The impact of war on political history

Key Political Events in History

Ancient Political History

  • The formation of early city-states
  • The development of early republics
  • The Roman Empire

Political History in the Middle Ages

  • The Holy Roman Empire and its significance
  • The rise of monarchies and their impact
  • The Renaissance and its effect on political thought

Modern Political History

  • The American Revolution and its legacy
  • The French Revolution and its impact on Europe
  • World War I and World War II and their consequences
  • The Cold War and its significance

Important Political Figures in History

Ancient Political Figures

  • Julius Caesar
  • Augustus Caesar
  • Plato
  • Aristotle

Political Figures of the Enlightenment

  • John Locke
  • Thomas Hobbes
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Political Figures of the American Revolution

  • George Washington
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • James Madison

Political Figures of the French Revolution

  • Maximilien Robespierre
  • Napoleon Bonaparte

Political Figures of the Modern Era

  • Vladimir Lenin
  • Joseph Stalin
  • Mao Zedong

Conclusion

This study guide provides a framework of themes, key events, and important political figures in political history. Use this guide as a reference to help you study and understand political history.

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Political History Practice Sheet

Instructions: Read the following prompts and answer the questions provided. Write your answers in complete sentences and provide specific examples where applicable.

  1. What was the Cold War, and what were the major events that defined it?

  2. Describe the major events of the Civil War and Reconstruction period in the United States.

  3. Compare and contrast the political ideologies of capitalism and socialism.

  4. What were the causes and impacts of the French Revolution?

  5. What is apartheid, and how did it impact South Africa?

  6. Discuss the factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

  7. Analyze the impact of colonialism on African nations in the 20th century.

  8. What were the causes and outcomes of World War I and World War II?

  9. Describe the role of nationalism in shaping the political landscape of Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.

  10. Compare and contrast the political ideologies of fascism and communism.

Political History Practice Sheet

1. What are the main differences between a monarchy and a republic?

Monarchies are systems of government where power is held by a single individual, usually a king or queen, who inherits the throne and rules until death. Republics are systems of government where power is held by the people, usually through elected representatives. In a monarchy, the monarch has the power to make laws and decisions, while in a republic, the people have the power to make laws and decisions.

2. Describe the concept of “checks and balances” and how it is used in the US government.

Checks and balances is a system of government where power is divided among different branches of government, each with the ability to check the power of the other branches. In the United States, the three branches of government are the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and making decisions, the legislative branch is responsible for making laws, and the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws. Each branch has the ability to check the power of the other branches, ensuring that no one branch has too much power.

3. What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

A dictatorship is a system of government where power is held by a single individual or group, usually with absolute authority. A democracy is a system of government where power is held by the people, usually through elected representatives. In a dictatorship, the dictator has the power to make laws and decisions, while in a democracy, the people have the power to make laws and decisions.

4. Describe the concept of “separation of powers” and how it is used in the US government.

Separation of powers is a system of government where power is divided among different branches of government, each with its own distinct powers and responsibilities. In the United States, the three branches of government are the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and making decisions, the legislative branch is responsible for making laws, and the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws. This separation of powers ensures that no one branch has too much power.

5. Describe the concept of “federalism” and how it is used in the US government.

Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central government and state governments. In the United States, the federal government is responsible for making laws and decisions that apply to the entire country, while the state governments are responsible for making laws and decisions that apply to their respective states. This division of power ensures that no one level of government has too much power.

Political History Practice Sheet

  1. Name three key figures in the French Revolution.
  2. Describe the two-party system in the United States.
  3. Explain the significance of the Magna Carta.
  4. Describe the impact of the Industrial Revolution on politics.
  5. Explain the concept of Realpolitik.
  6. Identify the key points of the Treaty of Versailles.
  7. Describe the impact of the Cold War on international relations.
  8. Explain the concept of the Separation of Powers.
  9. Describe the political implications of the American Civil War.
  10. Explain the significance of the Berlin Wall.

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Political History Quiz

Test your knowledge of Political History with the following problems. Provide your answers in the column on the right.

Problem Answer
Name three Greek philosophers who wrote about politics.
What was the name of the first modern constitution?
What was the Treaty of Westphalia?
Who was the first female monarch of England?
What was the name of the first written constitution of the United States?
Which U.S. president is known for initiating the New Deal?
Who was the first president of post-apartheid South Africa?
What is the significance of the French Revolution regarding political history?
What is the significance of the publication of The Communist Manifesto?
What is the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall?
Question Answer
What is the definition of Political History? Political History is the study of the political and social forces that shape the history of nations, states, and other political entities. It focuses on the actions and decisions of political leaders, the dynamics of political systems, and the impact of politics on society.
What is the purpose of Political History? The purpose of Political History is to understand how politics has shaped the world and how it continues to shape our lives today. It seeks to explain why certain political decisions were made and how they affected the course of history. Additionally, Political History seeks to understand the motivations behind political decisions and the impact of those decisions on society.
What are the main areas of Political History? The main areas of Political History include the study of political systems, the history of political parties, the history of international relations, the history of diplomacy, the history of war and conflict, and the history of political thought.
What is the difference between Political History and Political Science? Political History is the study of the past, while Political Science is the study of the present. Political History focuses on the actions and decisions of political leaders, the dynamics of political systems, and the impact of politics on society. Political Science focuses on the analysis of current political systems, the behavior of political actors, and the impact of politics on society.
What are the key elements of Political History? The key elements of Political History include understanding the motivations behind political decisions, the impact of those decisions on society, the dynamics of political systems, the history of political parties, the history of international relations, the history of diplomacy, the history of war and conflict, and the history of political thought.
What are the major themes of Political History? The major themes of Political History include the rise and fall of empires, the impact of war and conflict, the development of political ideologies, the evolution of international relations, the role of political parties, the role of the media, and the role of technology.
What is the importance of Political History? Political History is important because it helps us to understand how politics has shaped the world and how it continues to shape our lives today. It provides us with a deeper understanding of the motivations behind political decisions and the impact of those decisions on society. Additionally, Political History helps us to understand the dynamics of political systems and the history of political thought.
What are the methods used in Political History? The methods used in Political History include archival research, textual analysis, oral history, quantitative analysis, and comparative analysis.
What are the sources used in Political History? The sources used in Political History include primary sources such as documents, letters, diaries, and newspapers, as well as secondary sources such as books, articles, and other scholarly works.

Political History Quiz

Questions Answers
Who was the first president of the United States? George Washington
What is the name of the document that declared the United States' independence from Britain? The Declaration of Independence
Who wrote the Federalist Papers? Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
What is the name of the plan proposed by Thomas Jefferson to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France? The Louisiana Purchase
What is the name of the document that ended slavery in the United States? The Emancipation Proclamation
Who was the first president to be impeached? Andrew Johnson
Who was the first president to be elected by popular vote? Andrew Jackson
What is the name of the amendment to the Constitution that granted women the right to vote? The 19th Amendment
What is the name of the event in which the Soviet Union dissolved and 15 independent countries were created? The Dissolution of the Soviet Union
What is the name of the document that established the United Nations? The Charter of the United Nations
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