History Archives

End Ordovician Extinction: The First and the Deadliest

What caused the End Ordovician extinction? When did it start and which animals were affected? The End Ordovician extinction was the first of the Big Five mass extinction events in the history of the Earth. The term actually refers to two extinction periods, which together wiped out 86% of the marine species. Scientists attribute it to a sudden cooling of the climate that began around 444 million years ago. Read about the causes and effects of the End Ordovician extinction.

Keynesian Economics: Criticism and Problems

What is Keynesian economics criticism? What are the major issues with Keynesian economics? Keynesian economics criticism comes from those who support free-market capitalism. Maynard Freidman argues that this theory is ineffective and gives the government too powerful of a role. Read more about Keynesian economics, criticism, and more.

The Social Structure of India: The 5 Main Castes

What is the social structure of India and how was it created? How many castes does it consist of and what are the implications of this division? The social structure of India is an intricate system of many castes and sub-castes. The five main castes are the 1) Brahmin, 2) Kshatriya, 3) Vaishya, 4) Shudra, and 5) the Dalits. Read about the social structure of India and its impact on society.

Racial Segregation: Arbitrary “Purity” Standards

What is the history of racial segregation? How did the dominant caste use skin color as a tool to stratify society and justify different living standards? According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, one of the ways racial segregation is upheld and justified is through the narrative of the purity of blood. The concept of pure vs tainted blood created restrictions around who is allowed into the dominant caste. Read about the history of racial segregation.

What Caused the Ammonites’ Extinction?

What are ammonites? When did they become extinct? What are the suggested causes behind ammonites’ extinction? Ammonites are a group of coil-shelled mollusk animals that went extinct 66 million years ago. Scientists don’t know the exact cause of ammonites’ extinction, but it is theorized that they died as a result of ocean changes due to the asteroid strike. Keep reading to learn about ammonites’ extinction causes.

The Federal Reserve: The Great Depression Failure

What was the Federal Reserve’s role in the Great Depression? Did the Federal Reserve cause the depression, and how did they respond? The Federal Reserve in the Great Depression played an important role. The Fed failed to act in the run-up to the Depression, worsening the effects. Read more about the Federal Reserve, the Great Depression, and how they’re connected.

Race and Socioeconomic Status: How It All Started

What is the connection between race and socioeconomic status? What is the history behind this relationship? Race and socioeconomic status are intimately intertwined. To disentangle the relationship, we must go back to the era of Reconstruction. Read about the connection between race and socioeconomic status.

What Happened to the Panamanian Golden Frog?

What happened to the Panamanian golden frog? What is the reason for its disappearance? Panamanian golden frog was once common in the village of El Valle de Anton in central Panama, where it was considered a symbol of luck. The frogs could easily be seen and heard in the hills around town. Then they started disappearing. Read about the Panamanian golden frog and what caused its disappearance.

The Battle of Kurukshetra: History & Role in The Gita

What was the battle of Kurukshetra? Why is this battle so important in The Bhagavad Gita? The battle of Kurukshetra is one of the central conflicts in The Bhagavad Gita and has an important history. It’s important to understand why this battle is so important to main character Arjuna and why he seeks guidance. Read more about the battle of Kurukshetra in The Bhagavad Gita.

A Brief and Bloody History of Slavery in America

What is the history of slavery in America? What role did the institution of slavery play in the making of the American nation? The history of slavery in America dates back to 1619, when Europeans brought the first Africans onto the American soil. In 1865, slavery was officially abolished by the addition of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, but its legacy lingers to this day. Read about the history of slavery in America and how it contributed to the making of America as we know it today.