The Balkans, Crete and Cyprus, 1912–13

The Treaty of San Stefano in 1878 carved the independent kingdoms of Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro from the crumbling Ottoman Empire. These new kingdoms sought the liberation of their nationals... Read More

French Plan XVII 1914

Since the German annexation of French Alsace and Lorraine in 1871, France was determined to reclaim its lost territory. In 1913, responding to rising tension in Europe, they amended Plan XVII,... Read More

South Africa 1854–1910

The South African political landscape from 1854 onwards was characterized by diverse constantly changing borders. European colonial settlement, mainly by the British and Dutch, had created a plethora... Read More

The Second Crusade 1146–48

The Second Crusade was triggered by the fall of Edessa to the Muslim warlord Zengi. It had a promising start when it was led for the first time by European kings. Louis VII of France and Conrad III... Read More

The Templars in France 1307

The Knights Templar were founded early in the 12th century to protect Christians on pilgrimages to Jerusalem from Muslim attacks. The Templars were renowned for their military prowess, which they... Read More

The Presidential Election 1916

Woodrow Wilson’s progressive approach to his first term had made him popular, and he was easily renominated by the Democrats to run in the 1916 election. Despite his opposition to Taft and... Read More

The Presidential Election 1940

Lawyer and former Democratic activist Wendell L. Willkie emerged as a dark-horse Republican presidential candidate after favourites Thomas E. Dewey and Robert A. Taft failed to secure nomination.... Read More

The Presidential Election 1952

1952 saw Dwight D. Eisenhower, a five-star general and Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, win the Republican nomination, with Richard D. Nixon as running mate. After... Read More

The Presidential Election 1804

With a strong economy and flourishing trade, Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson’s first term in office had been successful. In Europe, the French Revolutionary Wars had ended and, closer to... Read More

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