Middle East Milestones: The Russo Turkish War (1768-1774)

Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia from 1682 to 1725, initiated the forced Westernization of his country.  After touring Europe in an attempt to gain first hand knowledge of the reasons for European military superiority, he paid Western experts to return to Russia to revamp its army and navy, he forced his courtiers to adopt Western [...]

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Powell History Person of the Year for 2007, Part 4 (of 4)

Since 2007 is getting “old,” I guess I’d better finish this one off!
In a world without a preeminent leader — for good or evil — how does one choose a “Person of the Year”, and who do I think should be singled out for that title for 2007? 
The question is one of historical significance and of how to [...]

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Islamist Entanglement Course Update

I’m very excited by the latest learning techniques I’m going to be teaching my students in the The Islamist Entanglement.  In this, the 3rd course in the acclaimed A First History for AdultsTM program, I’ll be incorporating everything that Powell History clients have come to expect–and more!
Because the completion of my European History program has been delayed, [...]

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Powell History Person of the Year, Part 3

When a single individual has a preeminent impact on the world, then based on that person’s “historical footprint,” they have to be accorded the status of “person of the year.”
As Time’s editor’s wrote when assigning the position to Vladimir Putin, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the person in question is good. 
This can be troubling for those [...]

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Middle East Milestones: The Treaty of Karlowitz (1699)

The latter seventeenth century saw the marked advance of Western civilization at the expense of Islamic power, culminating in Europe’s victory in the ”Great Turkish War.”
Despite a brief resurgence under the martial dynasty of vizirs (prime ministers) of the Koprulu family, it became evident that the tide of Islam had been turned and that the West would begin [...]

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