Dictionary of Historical AllusionsHarbottle, Thomas Benfield
History
Dictionary of Historical Allusions
Harbottle, Thomas Benfield
History -- Dictionaries
Remonstrants (Scotland).
The Scotch Presbyterians who remonstrated against the union of Argyle
and others with the Royalist party to oppose Cromwell in 1650.
Renaissance.
The revival of learning in Italy in the fifteenth century. It was
largely due to the advent in the West of many Greek scholars who fled
from Constantinople on its capture by the Turks in 1453, and introduced
the masterpieces of Greek literature for the first time to the scholars
of the West. The revival was further aided and stimulated by the
invention of printing, which had recently taken place.
Rense, Union of.
A league of the electors to the Imperial throne, pledged to support the
Emperor, Louis of Bavaria against the pretensions of Benedict XII, and
to maintain the independence of Germany.
Repartimiento.
A system prevailing in Spanish South America, whereby the natives were
divided into districts, for the purpose of forced labour, and Government
depôts provided to supply them with necessaries. This system led to the
most outrageous extortion, the officials forcing on the natives
commodities they did not need, at exorbitant prices. In 1780 the
misconduct of those officials brought about a rising of Indians, under
Condorcanqui, an Inca Cacique, who, however, was captured by the
Spaniards and put to death. The revolt was continued by his cousin,
Andres, the last of the Incas, who captured Sorate, and massacred all
the inhabitants. He was, however, shortly afterwards captured, and the
revolt suppressed, but it was not fruitless, for it led to the abolition
of the Repartimiento system.
Repealers.
The supporters of Daniel O’Connell in his agitation for the Repeal of
the Union in 1825 and onwards.
Reptile Fund.
The interest on the indemnity payable to the ex-King of Hanover for the
loss of his sovereign rights, which indemnity had been impounded by
Prussia on the ground that the ex-King continued his attacks on her.
This fund was employed by Bismarck to subsidise the semi-official Press.
Reptile Press.
The German newspapers which received payment from Bismarck out of the
Guelf fund to support his views, were known by this name.
Republicans (U.S.A.).
One of the two great parties in the United States. The three chief
points in their political creed are Protection, the maintenance of the
Gold Standard, and Equal Rights for the Black and White races. They are
strongest in the manufacturing districts of the East and Centre. Their
opponents, the Democrats, are less united; in the South they are strong
for the suppression of the negro, but by no means united on the other
two questions. In the mining States of the West the question which is
most to the fore is the free coinage of silver, while in the grain and
cattle districts free trade is the rallying cry. The Democrats are also
supporters of States Rights against Federalism, though this is now
rather an academical than an acute question.
Requests, Court of.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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