Seasonal Changes: Solstices and Equinoxes

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main reason for the changing of the seasons on Earth?

The Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun

The Earth's tilted axis as it travels around the Sun (correct)

The Earth's magnetic field

The Earth's rotation on its axis

What occurs during the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?

The longest day of the year

The South Pole is tilted closest to the Sun

The Sun's rays are directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (correct)

The North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun

What is true about the equinoxes?

Day and night are of equal length (correct)

The Sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer

They are the shortest days of the year

They occur in June and December

What would happen if the Earth were not tilted on its axis?

The Sun would always appear to be directly above the Equator Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the June solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?

It marks the start of summer Signup and view all the answers

What was Adolf Hitler's vision for his regime?

A thousand-year Reich that would serve as the natural conclusion of a process that started with Charlemagne Signup and view all the answers

Where did the concept of the Third Reich originate?

In the work of German cultural critic Arthur Moeller van den Bruck Signup and view all the answers

What did Arthur Moeller van den Bruck propose in his treatise Das Dritte Reich?

The harmonious fusion of Germany's socialist and conservative movements Signup and view all the answers

What was Moeller's view of Marxism and Western-style democracy?

They were impediments to Germany's rightful ascent to supremacy in Europe Signup and view all the answers

What was the historical predecessor to Nazi Germany, according to Adolf Hitler?

The Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire Signup and view all the answers

What was the title of Arthur Moeller van den Bruck's treatise?

Das Dritte Reich Signup and view all the answers

In what year was Moeller's treatise published?

1923 Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of Moeller's proposed Third Reich?

To promote German intellectualism and nationalism Signup and view all the answers

What was the context in which Moeller wrote his treatise?

When the Weimar Republic was struggling to contain revolutionary forces Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical concept may have influenced Moeller's idea of a Third Reich?

The Hegelian concept of synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Tilt and the Seasons

The Earth's tilt on its axis as it travels around the Sun causes the changing of the seasons.
If the Earth were not tilted, the Sun would always appear to be directly above the Equator, resulting in no seasons and no need to mark equinoxes or solstices.

Solstices

There are two solstices, which occur in June (20 or 21) and December (21 or 22).
These are the days when the Sun's path in the sky is farthest north or south from the Equator.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the start of summer, and the December solstice marks the start of winter.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed.

Equinoxes

There are two equinoxes, which occur in March (about March 21) and September (about September 23).
These are the days when the Sun is exactly above the Equator, resulting in equal day and night lengths.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn, respectively.

The Origin of the Term "Third Reich"

The term "Third Reich" was coined by German cultural critic Arthur Moeller van den Bruck in his 1923 book "Das Dritte Reich" (The Third Empire or Reich).
Moeller's treatise proposed a conservative doctrine that emphasized German intellectualism and nationalism, rejecting Marxism and Western-style democracy as obstacles to Germany's supremacy in Europe.
Moeller envisioned the Third Reich as the harmonious fusion of Germany's socialist and conservative movements.

Historical Context and Inspiration

Moeller's concept of the Third Reich may have been inspired by the Hegelian concept of synthesis or Joachim of Fiore's Trinitarian philosophy of history.
The idea of a succession of "Reichs" (empires) was a recent concept, and people living in the Holy Roman Empire (First Reich) or German Empire (Second Reich) would not have recognized the validity of such an appellation.

Nazi Germany and the Third Reich

Adolf Hitler imagined his dictatorial regime as the historical successor to two great German empires, positioning himself within the larger context of German and European history.
Hitler's "thousand-year Reich" was meant to be the natural conclusion of a process that he traced back to the coronation of Charlemagne in 800.
The term "Third Reich" entered common use in Germany after Hitler became chancellor in 1933.

Arthur Moeller van den Bruck

Moeller committed suicide in 1925, before Hitler's rise to power.
Hitler was allegedly aware of Moeller's work, as claimed by early Nazi leader Otto Strasser.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the seasons and their changes. Learn about the differences between solstices and equinoxes and how they impact the Earth's climate.