Plata, La. 1776-1910. Spanish viceroyalty in South America. Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay.

Plekhanov, Georgi. 1857-1918. Russian revolutionary tried to reconcile Bolsheviks, Mensheviks.

Pliny the Elder. 23-79. Roman naturalist. Died investigating Vesuvius eruption.Historia Naturalis.

Plotinus. 205-270. Greek philosopher. His Neoplatonism influenced Islam, Christianity. Quest for Good through intelligence. “Creation is fall from God. Evil is the nature of man. Good is freedom from senses.”

Poisons Affair. 1679. French scandal. Nobles using love potions and poisons from fortune tellers. Mme de Montespan implicated. La Voisin. Brinvilliers.

Poitiers, Battle. 732. Charles Martel halts invasion, saving Europe from Moslem rule. 1356. Edward the Black Prince defeats and captures John II. Brétigny Treaty.

Poland, Partitions of. 1772 Russia, Prussia, Austria take a third each. 1793 Russia, Prussia invade to restore conservative rule. 1795 After revolt, Austria, Prussia, Russia. divide remainder.

Polish Corridor. 1919-39. Baltic territory dividing east Prussia from Germany. Nazis invade 1939.

Politburo. 1917~. Soviet governing body, arm of Communist Party. Abolished by Stalin 1952-66.

Pompeii. Destroyed 79 by Vesuvius eruption. Rediscovered 1592.

Pompey. 106-48BC. Roman triumvir with Caesar and Crassus; defeated by Caesar.

Pompidou Centre. Beaubourg. 1972-7. Architects: Rogers and Piano. Paris modernistic art and activity center.

Pont d’Avignon. 12C-1680. Built after divine command to shepherd, St Bénézet.

Pont Neuf. 1578-1607. Oldest surviving Paris bridge.

Pope. Head of Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Rome. Considered the infallible vicar of Christ.

Porte St-Denis. Paris. 1672. Celebrates Louis XIV’s victories on the Rhine.

Porter, David. 1780-1843. US. Captured first British warship of 1812 war.

Portugal. Iberians, Celts. 5-4C BC Greek colony. c225BC Carthage(S). 2C BC Rome. 411 Suevi. 5C Visigoth. 711 Moor. 868 Christian(N). c1060 León. 1143 Independent kingdom. 1250 Moors expelled. 1500 +Brazil. 1580 Spain. 1640 Independent. 1820 Constitutional Monarchy. 1822 -Brazil. 1910 Republic. 1932 Salazar dictator. 1976 Democracy.

Positivism. Knowledge based on senses alone. Personal knowledge. Natural laws lead to social engineering to secure a happy society. Comte. Mill. Spencer. Logical Positivism.

Post, Wiley. 1899-1935. US aviator. First solo flight around world 1933.

Post-Impressionism. -1910. Modern art movement of solid color and forms as a reaction to Impressionism. Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin.

Potsdam Agreement. 1945. Truman, Stalin, Attlee agree to draw up peace treaties, reduce German industrialization, restore democracy in Europe after WWII. Outlawed Nazism. Divided Germany.

Powhatan War. 1622-44. Indians attack settlers in Virgina, Maryland. Reprisals nearly wipe out tribe.

Pragmatic Sanction. 1713. Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI declares Maria Theresa as heir causing War of Austrian Succession.

Prague Spring. 1968. Czech reforms face Soviet intervention. Dubcek.

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