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What was the significance of Rome in the 16th century? (A couple significance) #H

Rome was the centre of the Renaissance, a period of cultural renewal in Italy; and was a fully realised Christian capital, with many important churches.

What does the second rome refer to? #H

Constantinople

Give an explanation for Constantinople. #H

• This served as the new capital of the Roman Empire, continuing the Roman tradition after the decline of the Western Roman empire.

• It was located in modern-day Istanbul, and was formerly named Byzantium.

What was the significance of Constantinople? #H

• It served as a core state, a centre of power, trade and culture.

• Good defense was provided there, and there was a great Christian influence in that area.

• The east of the Byzantine Empire was rich

Where did the idea of Moscow, the Third Rome come from? #H

• It emerged after the decline of the Byzantine Empire (and the second Rome).

• It was seen as the divinely chosen centre of the Orthodox world and the powerful empire, tasked with preserving the faith.

What are the 3 types of polarity (explanation)? #SS

• Unipolarity - When a state is by far the most powerful state

• Bipolarity - When two states are about equally as powerful

• Multipolarity - When power is diffused among several states

What is the core, and what is the periphery? #SS

• The core includes major world powers and the countries with the most amount of wealth in the world

• The periphery are the countries that are more rural and generally less developed. (usually higher populations)

What is a great power and what is a small power? #SS

• Great powers are nations with significant economic, political, and military strength, capable of shaping global affairs. (independent)

• Small powers are nations with limited resources and influence, often relying on alliances or international structures. (dependent)

What is a controlling state, and what is a client state? #SS

• A client state is a country that is heavily influenced by a more powerful state, often dependent on it for military, economic, or political support.

• A controlling state is a state that “controls” this client state.

What is a soft power, and what is a hard power? #SS

• Hard power is when a country uses economic, military, or political coercion to influence the behaviour of others.

• Soft power is using persuasion or influencing others without using coercion.

What is foreign assistance/foreign aid? #SS

International transfer of capital, goods, or services from a country or international organisations for the benefit of the recipient country or its population.

What was the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and how did it fall? #H

• An empire lasting from 912-612 BC, which was the last stage of the Assyrian Empire, stretching from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and through parts of Persia and Arabia.

• It declined due to internal strife, overexpansion, and external pressures, and fell due to a coalition of Medes and Babylonians.

What is the significance of the Neo-Assyrian Empire? #H

• It is considered to the best or most powerful period of the Assyrian Empire, marked by sustained territorial and economic expansion, a powerful military, a vast empire spanning from the Nile to the Persian Gulf, and conquering Babylon, Israel, and Egypt.

  • It continued the legacy of the Old and Middle Assyrian Empire.

What was the Song Dynasty and how did it fall?

• A dynasty preceding the chaotic period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (which followed the Tang Dynasty [618-690 and 705-907 AD]) from 960 AD to 1279 AD with significant cultural and economic growth, often divided in the Northern and the Southern Song periods.

• The dynasty was also struggling with political instability, military weakness, bureaucratic courrption, and economic problems, right before its collapse.

• The final blow was the Mongol conquest, culminating in the Battle of Yamen, where a Mongol fleet defeated the Song fleet. This marked the end of the Song Dynasty and the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty.

What was the significance of the Song Dynasty?

• It is considered to be a successful and prosperous period in Chinese history, with significant economic growth (becoming the richest country in the world during the early 11th century) and technological advancements.

• This dynasty lasted 30 more years than the Tang Dynasty (319 yrs)

• This dynasty included agricultural improvements, the development of gunpowder, mechanical clocks, superior shipbuilding, paper money, compass navigation, and porcelain.

What is the Byzantine Empire and how did it fall?

• Also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, it was a continuation of the Roman Empire (after it fell) centred in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) from 330 to 1454, characterised by distinct culture, art, legal systems, and its eventual fall to the Ottoman Empire.

• The empire fell when the Ottoman Empire broke through the walls of Constantinople with cannons and seized control of the capital, killing the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI.

What is the significance of the Byzantine Empire?

• It was considered successful due to its longevity (lasting over 1000 years after Western Roman Empire’s fall), its significant cultural and political influence on Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, and its ability to defend its territory against invasions like the Arabs, Persians, Bulgars, and Turks.

  • It got its success due to its strategic location, strong military, efficient administration, and cultural and religious legacy.

What is the Carolingian Empire and how did it fall?

• A Frankish-dominated empire in Western and Central Europe that lasted from 800 to 887, ruled by the Carolingian dynasty as a(nother) continuation of the Western Roman Empire.

• It started collapsing due to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 (dividing the empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons, allowing for its fragmentation).

• It faced external threats especially Viking invasions, but ultimately collapsed from internal causes because the rulers were unable to effectively manage the “large empire”. The fragmentation led to France, Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.

When was the Carolingian Empire at its peak and what were its positives and negatives?

• It was at the peak when Charlemagne ruled over the Empire, marked by his coronation by Pope Leo III.

• It achieved significant territorial expansion and cultural influence, however failed to achieve long-term stability and unity, collapsing after Charlemagne’s death.

What is the Ottonian dynasty and how did it fall?

• Also known as the Saxon dynasty (or Liudolfings) was a dynasty of German monarchs that ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 919 to 1024, and that succeded the Carolingian dynasty and established a new imperial line.

• It ended with the death of Emperor Henry II, as he died without an hier, which led to the extinction of the dynasty.

What was the significance of the Ottonian dynasty? #H

• It was successful for the Eastern Frankish Kingdom (later Germany), establishing a strong, central power, expanding borders, and fostering a cultural renaissance.

• It also restored the governmental institiutions of the Carolingian predecessors

What was the Meiji Restoration, what did it proceed, and how did it end?

• It was an event in Japanese history that occurred in 1868, marking the restoration of imperial rule under Emperor Meiji (also known as Mutsuhito) and the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, allowing Japan to rapidly modernise and industrialise.

• The Tokugawa shogunate (or Edo period) was a military government that ruled Japan for over two centuries.

• It concluded with the death of Emperor Meiji in 1912, though the period’s significant reforms and modernisation efforts continued into the Taisho era.

What was the significance of the Meiji Restoration?

• It was largely successful, transforming Japan into a modern industrialised nation-state that rivalled European powers in both military and economic strength.

• A constitution and a parliamentary system, universal education, new railroads, and an improved army and navy were made during this period.

What is Neo-Sovietism, and where did it originate? #SS #H

• A political and ideological movement that seeks to revive and promote elements of the Soviet system, particulurarly its governance style, national identity, and aspects of its social policies.

• It originated from the Soviet Union (USSR) (1922-1991).

• The collapse of the Soviet Union can be contributed to economic stagnation and the overextension of the military, along with the Cold War and the US policy of containment.

• Neo-Sovietism tries to revive the fallen Soviet Union

What is the Biblioteca Alexandrina?

• A major library and cultural centre in Alexandria, Egypt that serves as a revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria, aiming to be a centre of knowledge and cultural exchange.

• It was rebuilt as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2002, after construction began in 1995.

What was the Library of Alexandria, and was it successful?

• A renowned ancient institution that lasted from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, that was a massive library and research institute in Alexandria, Egypt, founded by the Ptolemies.

• It housed a large number of scrolls, making it a hub for scholarships and knowledge.

• It was successful attracting scholars and becoming the intellectual centre of the Hellenistic world.

How did the Library of Alexandria fall?

• It declined due to accidental fires, political instability, and the changing cultural landscape.

• During his pursuit of Pompey, Julius Caesar’s troops (allegedly) set fire to Egyptian ships in the harbour, which then spread to nearby buildings, including parts of the library.

• As the library’s influence declined, collections started to get stolen, destroyed, or fell into disrepair.

What are some ways one could restart civilisation from a collapse?

• Rebuild essential systems (food production)

• Establish basic infrastructure

• Developing social structures

• Preserving and rediscovering knowledge

How could a librarian/libraries help with restarting a civilisation?

• They contain vast arrays of information in various formats, from books to digital resources and historical records, which can be accessible for research, learning, and cultural enrichment.

• Encyclopedias can be research tools that provide concise, factual overviews of a wide range of topics, serving as a starting point for learning and research.

How does math help to predict the future? #SA

• It can help create models that represent real-world systems and relationships.

• It is a tool for understanding patters that can help make informed predictions.

Explain the (future attempt of) revival of Pan Am by the American company. #SS #SA

A US-based travel agency, Centurion Travel is planning to revive the Pan American (Pan Am) brand or a short nostalgic transatlantic excursion in 2025 using a Boeing 757.

What was the Pan Am, and why did it fall?

• It was a very popular brand for international air travel during the inter-war and post-war years.

• It was the pioneer of the jet age, introducing the Boeing 707 in the 1960s and the Boeing 747 “jumbo jet” in the 1970s.

• It succumbed to increased competition on many of its routes, and theirfore declared bankruptcy in 1991.

Explain the efforts to revive Pan Am in South Korea.

• The Starfield Coex store in Seongsu-dong had many Pan-Am-branded fashion apparel and accessories, like bucket hats, travel bags, and phone cases.

• SJ Group aims to further increase Pan Am’s physical presence in the country.

What is RCA?

It stands for the Radio Corporation of America, which is a defunct American eleectronics company that originally designed the RCA connector. It was a major player in the electronics industry, operating from 1919 to 1986.

Why did RCA fail?

• It failed due to poor management decisions, a failure to adapt to chaning market trends, and a lack of innovations. It failed to keep moving ahead in consumer electronics.

How was RCA revived?

• It was bought by General Electric (GE) for $6.8 billion in 1986. They bought it for its defence-related businesses, consumer good sales, and the NBC television network.

• RCA had a strong presence in defence technology. GE was struggling in the consumer goods market unlike RCA. Additionally, RCA owned the NBC network.

What is Westinghouse?

• A company that was initially known for manufacturing electrical equipment but later expanded into broadcasting and appliances, and is now part of the Electrolux Group, focusing on premium appliances.

• It was founded in 1886 by George Westinghouse.

How did Westinghouse fall?

In 2017, it filed for bankruptcy, due to factors like:

• The diffuclties faced by Toshiba in the nuclear power industry

  • The failure of Westinghouse to adapt to the changing technological landscape.

How was Westinghouse revived and how is it doing?

• In 2018, it was acquired by Brookfield Business Partners, a Canadian asset management firm, and in 2023, Cameco, a Canadian nuclear fuel firm, bought a 49% interest in Westinghouse.

• Westinghouse Electric Company is now a leading provider of nuclear reactor technology and services, focusing on both nuclear plants and services for existing ones.

  • It has a positive trajectory, with its profitability nearly doubling and the business now well-positioned to benefit from the growing nuclear power industry.

What is Polaroid and how was it doing in the past?

• An American company known for its instant film and cameras, founded by Edwin Land in 1937, and which pioneered instant photography.

• The company introduced the first instant camera (Polaroid Land camera, in 1947, and allowing for a finished print instantly.

How did Polaroid fall, and how was it revived?

• Due to the rise of digital photography, the company declined and eventually went bankrupt in 2001.

• It was revived through the new company “Polaroid B.V.”

• After the original company’s downfall, the Impossible Project (produced instant films for older Polaroid cameras) acquired Polaroid and rebranded (2017) as Polaroid Originals

What was RadioShack and how was it successful?

• A retailer specialising in electronics, including parts, radios, and batteries, started as a radio equipment supplier. It was founded in 1921 and initially focused on selling ham radio equipment

• It was a pioneer in the consumer electronics retail space, and did good in the days of PCs and the rise of the Internet, and had a robust compensation plan for store managers.

How did RadioShack fall and how was it successful?

• It failed due to factors including failing to keep up with the times (creating better PCs), failing to ramp up on e-commerce (against competitors like Amazon), and Marketing confusion (choosing bad names)

• In 2015, Unicomer Group acquired the brand, intellectual property and existing franchise contracts for all of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. This allowed the Group to continue consolidating and driving technological innovation to these regions.

What was Nokia and how did it find success?

• It was a Finnish multinational telecommunications, IT, and consumer electronics company, originally established as a pulp mill in 1865, and later known for its dominance in the mobile phone market.

• In 1967 it formed the modern Nokia Corporation, encompassing forestry, cable, rubber, and electronics. It became a major player in the mobile phone market (holding a dominant market share in 2007 with ~50%).

How did Nokia fall and how did it find success again?

• It declined in the face of competition from other mobile phone companies like Apple and Samsung.

• Currently, their focus has shifted from mobile phones, and plays a role in the network equipment, technology research, and patent licensing industries. It focuses on areas like mobile networks, cloud technologies, and the Internet of Things.

What is Sansui and what was its success story?

• It was a Japanese manufacturer of audio and video equipment, founded in Tokyo in 1947, that gained recognition for its high-quality audio products, particularly amplifiers and receivers.

• It achieved success as a manufacturer of audio and video equipment, particularly in the 1970s and 80s, becoming a world-wide brand.

How did Sansui decline and how did it get revived?

• It declined due to factors like increased production costs, labour union issues, and a failure to adapt to changing market demands and emerging technologies (Sony, Pioneer, Technics). Because of this, it eventually went bankrupt.

• Today, Sansui is a brand in the Express LUCK Group, focusing on home entertainment, particularly in North America, with a focus on smart TVs, monitors, and gaming monitors.

What was Eastern Air Lines and how was it successful?

• It was a former American airline that served the northeastern and southeastern United States, founded in 1928 as Pitcairn Aviation Inc, later becoming Eastern Air Transport.

• It initially flourished, and acquired other airlines in the 1970s and 80s, and focused on the East Coast, Florida, Caribbean, and South America

Why did Eastern Airlines fail and how did it revive?

• It ultimately faced failure due to labour strife, high debt, and an unstable route structure, which lead to bankruptcy and liquidation in 1991.

  • Liquidation is the process of selling a company’s assets to pay of its debts and distributing any remaining funds to creditors and shareholders.

• A new airline called Eastern Air Lines launched in 2020, but is not the same as the original, which had a troubled history. It aims to appeal to budget-conscious passagers with fares.

What are disposable cameras? (look up pictures)

• Disposable cameras (or single-use cameras) are simple, pre-loaded film cameras designed for single use, featuring fixed settings and a limited number of exposures.

• They are used for events like weddings.

• They were originally for making photography more accessible and convient for people who don’t want to load and unload films

Explain the resergence of disposable cameras and give reasons why.

• They are experiencing a resurgence, fueled by nostalgia, a desire for simpler photography experiences, and a unique aesthetic.

• They are affordable and accessible (available at pharmacies and supermarkets)

• They take away from screen time.

• It is environmentally friendly

What are handheld gaming devices and what are some examples? Why was it so popular?

• They are small, portable consoles with built-in screens, controls, and speakers, allowing players to enjoy games on the go.

• Examples include the Nintendo Swtch, handheld PC gaming devices (Steam Deck), etc

• One of the first handheld game devices (that got attention) was from 1977, and was called Football I. Over the course of time, even smaller gaming devices where made, and even video game watches debuted in the early 1980s.

• Games like Legend of Zelda™ to Super Mario Brothers™ to Tetris and even Star Fox were played on such.

How were handheld gaming devices revived?

• Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch were successful, and demonstrated the viability of a powerful and portable PC gaming device.

• The Steam deck, a handheld PC gaming device, proved that powerful mobile chips could deliver solid frame rates.

• The Nintendo Switch functioned as both a handheld and home console.

What are vinyl records?

• Vinyl records are analogue audio storage media in the form of a flat disc with a spiral groove containing the recorded sound, played on a turntable using a styles that vibtrates as it travels along the groove, converting the vibrations to electrical signals.

How and why was vinyl revived?

It started around 2007, and it is driven by:

• Nostalgia - For older listeners, it allows them to relive their youth.

• An authentic and warm sound that digital formats struggle to replicate.

• Aesthetic - The tangible, physical nature of vinyl

What is film, and what is its history?

• It is a thin flexible strip of plastic or other material coated with light-sensitive emulsion for exposure in a camera, used to produce photographs or motion pictures.

• The first commercial film screening by the Lumière brothers in 1895, and the rise of narrative cinema and special effects with Georges Méliès in 1902.

Why is the photographic film resurging?

• It is experiencing a resurgence due to nostalgia, aesthetics, and a desire for a mindful photographic experience.

What is AM radio, and how was it popular? How was it overtaken?

• Amplitude Modulation radio broadcasts in 540-1610 kHz frequency band, modulating a carrier wave by varying its signal strength, not frequency, to transmit information.

• It was popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

• It was overtaken by FM’s higher fidelity, which became more popular for music listening in the 1950s.

What are some benefits of AM radio?

• It provides long-range coverage, making it a crucial source of info and entertainment.

• It plays a vital role in emergency broadcasting, providing critical information during emergencies and disasters.

• Some countries use it.

What is pager and what is its history?

• Also known as a beeper, it is a small, portable, wireless communication device that receives and displays messages, typically via radio frequencies, and alerts the user with an audible or vibrating signal.

• It was a form of instant communication, invented in 1921 and reached popularity in the 1980s and 90s, before being replaced by mobile phones and smartphones.

Why did pagers become repopularised?

• Pager simple to use and require minimal training

• Pagers can be more cost-effecive than relying solely on cellular networks.

• They have a longer battery life than smartphones.

• They do not interfere with electronic equipment, which is an advantage in hospitals and other environments.

What is magnetic tape storage?

• It is a method of storing digital data on a thin, flexible, plastic strip coated with a magnetic material, using a tape drive to read and write data

• It was developed first in 1928.

What is physical media?

It refers to tangible objects used to strore or transmit information, like records, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and even books.

Why is physical media resurging?

• The resurgence of physical media, particularly vinyl records, DVDs, and Blu-rays, is a growing trend, driven by nostalgia, a desire for tangible ownership, and the unique experience they offer.

Study this.

• Old Music Dominance: Over 70% of streamed music is from songs older than 18 months.

• Music Investment: Increased investment in catalog music, with older artists' catalogs (e.g., Bob Dylan, Paul Simon) being bought up.

• Pop Culture Trend: Nostalgia-driven successes, like Top Gun: Maverick and Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill" in Stranger Things.

• Risk-Averse Culture: Entertainment industries prefer proven properties over new, risky content.

• Decline of New Music: Fewer new hits breaking through, with older music dominating the charts.

• Younger Audiences: Teens are spending less on music, often relying on parents' streaming subscriptions.

• Data Issues: Tracking music consumption data is challenging, but trends show a shift toward old music.

• Cultural Impact: Similar trends in other media (TV reruns, book backlists), but music's focus has shifted heavily to older songs.