Much of the work in the Manhattan Project was performed under the direction of the theoretical physicist Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.”

In 1945 The United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 210,000 children, women, and men.

Nuclear weapons produce ionizing radiation, which kills or sickens those exposed, contaminates the environment and has health consequences, including cancer and genetic damage. Physicians project that millions of people will eventually die from cancers due to atmospheric nuclear tests conducted between 1945 and 1980.

Maria Canciello & Federica D’ Ambrosio

Depression to learn how little our big men know.” — Will Rogers —

In the tumultuous landscape of the 20th century, the Great Depression emerged as a seismic event, casting its long shadow across the global stage from 1929 to the late 1930s. At its epicenter was the cataclysmic 1929 stock market crash in the United States, an unforeseen spark that ignited a relentless economic downturn. As the ripples of financial ruin extended far beyond national borders, a narrative of shared adversity unfolded, revealing the interconnectedness of global economies.

This era was marked by more than just economic distress; it was a profound human experience. Unemployment rates soared to unprecedented levels, leaving countless individuals and families grappling with the harsh realities of poverty. The industrial heartbeat of nations weakened, with factories silenced and production lines abandoned in a stark contrast to the roaring prosperity of the 1920s.

Governments, faced with the urgency of the crisis, undertook a spectrum of economic policies in a bid to navigate uncharted waters. The canvas of interventionist measures, fiscal policies, and international collaborations was painted in varied hues, each stroke shaping the response to an unprecedented challenge. This collective struggle against economic despair not only defined an era but also laid the foundation for future financial regulations and international cooperation.

The legacy of the Great Depression endures as a testament to the resilience of societies and the transformative power of adversity. It was during this time that the seeds of economic reforms and social safety nets were sown, forever altering the trajectory of modern economic history. As we reflect on this historical chapter, we glean valuable lessons in economic stability, regulation, and the imperative of international cooperation in navigating the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Nicolò Del Prete

Maria Antonietta Rega

Made by Andrea Barbato.

Rooted in a virulent strain of anti-Semitism, the Holocaust emerged from a toxic brew of historical prejudices and discriminatory policies. Systematic dehumanization became a chilling hallmark, with propaganda, restrictive laws, and the confinement of Jewish communities in ghettos laying the foundation for unspeakable atrocities.

The ghettos themselves, dismal crucibles of suffering, were but a prelude to the horrors of concentration camps. Here, in the bowels of human despair, the machinery of genocide operated with ruthless efficiency. The stories of resilience and resistance within this darkness, however, serve as poignant reminders of the enduring human spirit.

The liberation of concentration camps and subsequent Nuremberg Trials marked a turning point, seeking justice for the perpetrators and establishing a global commitment to accountability. Yet, amid the post-war reckoning, the Holocaust left a profound legacy, rich with lessons that transcend time.

These lessons are etched in the collective consciousness, emphasizing the vital importance of tolerance, remembrance, and the resolute duty to prevent genocide. As we reflect on the Holocaust, its contemporary relevance becomes evident in the ongoing struggle against discrimination and hatred.

Drawing parallels between historical events and present-day challenges, we find a renewed call to action. Awareness, education, and activism become the tools to dismantle the seeds of intolerance, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust remain an enduring reminder of our shared responsibility to foster a world built on compassion, understanding, and unity. In the echoes of history, we find not only the darkness of the past but also the potential for a brighter, more humane future.

Nicoló Del Prete

Maria Antonietta Rega

[Riccardo, Raffaele, Paola]

There have been new technological innovations (cars, refrigeratos, the radio).

1. Large amounts of resources were invested to create new industries and this created a little competition from Europe.

2. The population was growing rapidly and the Republican Governament had lowered taxes on profits.

   This prosperity was not shared by everyone, in fact the South-Western mining towns, the farmers of the Midwest and the urban industrial workers suffered economic hardship.

   In contrast to this there was euphoria feeling in music style like jazz, dancing and fashion. In fact, this period, is called “Roaring Twenties” or “Jazz Age”. This period was also characterised by

1. Reactionary attitudes such as “Red Scare” a fear of Socialism. This led to the imprisonment and persecution of political activists with left-wing backgrounds.

2. A Revival of puritanical attitude led to The 18th Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited the manufacture, consumption and import of alcool. This historical period is called “Prohibition”. The problem of alcool had spread among the poor people. However it encouraged the illegal traffic of “bootleggers” who imported or produced liquor illegally, and increased the phenomenon of gangsterism.

The end of the Twenties brought the dramatic collapse if the American Stock Market since Wall Street.

It was known as the Great Crash. It marked the end of the prosperous Twenties and the beginning of the Great Depression.

The Suffragette movement was started by Emmeline Pankhurst and a small group of women based in Manchester founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). It aimed to “wake up the nation” through deeds. The Suffragettes based their headquarters in London, so they could protest where the government was situated. They also targeted major works of art and London landmarks. In June 1908 there had been the first 'monster meeting', that brought Suffragettes from all over the United Kingdom to march in seven different processions through Central London to Hyde Park.

As the campaign became more militant, over a thousand Suffragettes, including Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, received prison sentences for their actions, so they protested by going on hunger strike. In response, the government introduced a policy of force-feeding.

In 1913, the British government passed a law called by the Suffragettes “the Cat and Mouse”, that allowed them to be released from prison when they were weakened.

Once their health have been restored they would be return to prison; the law allowed prisoners to be let go only for the police to catch them again, just as a cat plays with a mouse.

The outbreak of the First World War brought a suspension of protests as the Suffragettes supported the war effort, so the suffragettes prisoners were all released.

The Women's Social and Political Union had not succeeded in achieving the vote, but they started to be more active in society during the war. Their role was acknowledged with the granting of the parliamentary vote to a limited number of women in 1918.

Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power through Germany’s legal political processes.

The early 1920s in Germany were a time of social, economic, and political unrest. This was a direct result of World War I, which the Germany lost. The German Empire was replaced by a new democratic republic, that was called the Weimar Republic. In June 1919, German leaders of the Weimar Republic were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty punished Germany for starting World War I.

The Weimar Republic had a hard time operating the State. There were political movements that tried to overthrow the new government. Their members were reacting to post World War I discontent in Germany. One group that caused particular alarm was the German Communist Party. A much less prominent new political group was the Nazi Party.

The Nazi Party was one of many radical new political movements active in Germany during the early 1920s. The movement gained attention across Germany in November 1923. That month, the Nazis—led by Adolf Hitler—attempted to violently seize power. This failed coup is known as the Beer Hall Putsch. 

Hitler and the Nazis changed tactics. Beginning in the mid-1920s, they focused their efforts on winning elections. But the Nazi Party did not immediately succeed in attracting voters. Beginning in 1930, however, the Nazi Party started to win more votes. Their success was largely the result of an economic and political crisis in Germany. 

The Nazis played on people’s hopes, fears, and prejudices. They also offered scapegoats. They falsely claimed that Jews and Communists were to blame for Germany’s problems. This claim was part of the Nazis’ antisemitic and racist ideology. 

In November 1932, the Nazi won 33% of the votes at the elections.

Hitler demanded to be appointed as chancellor. German President Paul von Hindenburg gave in and appointed Hitler as Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. 

Hitler transformed Germany by manipulating the democratic political system. Hitler and other Nazi leaders used existing laws to destroy German democracy and create a dictatorship. 

In August 1934, President Hindenburg died. Hitler proclaimed himself Führer (leader) of Germany.

Work done by Carmela Anatriello and Valeria Bencivenga.

From the Acts of Union in 1800, Ireland completely lost its independence: the Act merged the kingdoms of Ireland with Great Britain to create the United Kingdom, and merged the Parliament of Ireland into a single governing body with the Parliament of Great Britain.

The Irish public opinion divided in two sides: the Protestants (situated in the North of Irland, in the region called Ulster) wanted to stay with Great Britain because they were scared that with independence they would have fell under a catholic governament.

On the other hand Catholics wanted to free themselves from Great Britain as they felt left out from the English parliament; they can be defined as nationalists as they wanted to create the Irish nation.

The Irish question was the issue debated primarily among the British government from the early 19th century until the 1920s of how to respond to Irish Nationalism and the calls for Irish independence.

In the Union Kingdom general election of 1868, a coalition of Liberals and Irish Nationalists formed, promoting Irish independence.

The discussion was put aside by the English parliament in 1914 because of the First World War.

EASTER RISING

Easter Rising was an Irish republican insurrection against British government in Ireland, which began on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, in Dublin. The insurrection was planned by Patrick Pearse, Tom Clarke, and other leaders of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, which was a revolutionary society.

The uprising was planned to be nationwide, but a series of events left the Dublin revolutionaries by themselves.

On April 24 their forces occupied the Dublin General Post Office and other strategic points in Dublin’s city centre, and Pearse annunced the birth of the Irish republic. British troops soon arrived to put down the rebellion, and for a week Dublin was paralyzed by street fighting and also bombardments.

Pearse and 14 other leaders of the rebellion were arrested and executed by British authorities in the following weeks.

Though the uprising itself had been unpopular with most of the Irish people, these executions excited a wave of revulsion against the British authorities and turned the dead republican leaders into martyred heroes.

The Easter Rising signaled the start of the republican revolution in Ireland and led to the Irish War of Independence from 1919-1921.

Barra Noemi, Bervicato Alisia

In England during the 1920s and 1930s, there were significant reform and protest movements as well.

One of the key issues during this time was the aftermath of World War I, which left many returning soldiers unemployed and discontented.

Additionally, the period saw the growth of the labor movement, with workers organizing strikes and demonstrations to demand improved wages, working conditions, and labor rights.

Notable events include the General Strike of 1926, when millions of workers across various industries protested against wage cuts and worsening conditions.

There were also social and political reforms taking place, including the expansion of voting rights. In 1928, the Representation of the People Act extended suffrage to all women over the age of 21, giving them equal voting rights with men.

Furthermore, there were movements for social justice and equality, including campaigns for women's rights and civil liberties. Organizations such as the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) continued to advocate for women's suffrage and gender equality.

Another significant protest movement during the 1920s and 1930s in England was the animal rights movement.

The period saw the emergence of organizations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), which campaigned against animal cruelty and advocated for the humane treatment of animals in various contexts, including scientific research, farming, and entertainment.

Protests organized by these groups often targeted practices such as vivisection (experimentation on live animals), animal fighting, and cruel treatment of animals in circuses and zoos. These protests aimed to raise public awareness about animal welfare issues and pressure lawmakers to enact legislation to protect animals from harm.

(Donato Zitelli e Michele Vitale)

Let’s watch this video in order to understand deeply what happened in Sarajevo on the 28th of June 1914, the day when it all started.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IIK9Lkf02TE&feature=youtu.be

But what if we go a little bit back in time? Specifically, what if we analyse what happen in the Balcanic between 1912-1913?

Turkey was under the control of the Ottoman Empire, which was slowly declining. It ruled over many Balkan countries, including Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and Montenegro. During the First Balkan War, they beat Turkey. The conflict that followed was fought between the Balkan countries themselves, such as Serbia vs Bulgaria.

The importance of the Balkan peninsula lay in its geographic location. Situated at the crossroads of three major empires – Ottoman, Russian and Austro-Hungarian – and with access to several important waterways.

The assassination of Francis Ferdinand was just the apparent reason.

By the end of 1917, the Bolshevik had seized power in Russia and immediately set about negotiating peace with Germany. In 1918, the infusion of American troops and resources into the western front finally tipped the scale in the Allies’ favor. Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies on November 11, 1918.

The consequences of the first world war were many. One of the most dramatic is that as many as 8.5 million soldiers and some 13 million civilians died during those years.

The First World War will mark the end of four great empires: Russian, Habsburg, German, Turkish.

The United States will establish itself as the world superpower in place of Great Britain.

After the war, several countries granted women new rights, including the opportunity to vote. Young men and women from the middle and lower classes desired a say in how their nation was formed after the war.

World War I was known as the “war to end all wars” because of the great slaughter and destruction it caused. Unfortunately, the peace treaty that officially ended the conflict—the Treaty of Versailles of 1919—forced punitive terms on Germany that destabilized Europe and laid the groundwork for World War II.

Other than the one of Versailles, in order to restraining a political stability, it became necessary to sign treaties in attempted to save the world against going to war again.

The other treaties were made:

1. The Treaty of Paris was signed with Germany.

2. St.Germain Treaty – with Austria

3. The Treaty of Trianon was signed with Hungary.

4. Neuilly Treaty – with Bulgaria

5. Sevres Treaty – with Turkey

The size of the British Empire – the amount of land and number of people under British rule – changed in size over the years. At its height in 1922, it was the largest empire the world had ever seen, covering around a quarter of Earth’s land surface and ruling over 458 million people.

[Riccardo, Raffaele, Paola]