1848 Revolutions, WWI Causes, Political Liberalism & More
The Revolutionary Wave of 1848
The revolutionary wave of 1848 began in France and spread throughout much of Europe. It is known as the “Spring of Nations.”
Causes of the 1848 Revolutions
- The economic crisis in France in 1847 due to bad harvests, especially potatoes.
- The agrarian crisis impacted the industrial and financial sectors, leading to unemployment.
- The denial of rights and freedoms to many in French society. The monarchy of Louis Philippe of Orleans favored the bourgeoisie, neglecting the petty bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Despite its apparent failure, the events of 1848 marked the beginning of progressive democracy (universal suffrage) and the incorporation of the working class into political struggle.
World War One: Causes and Consequences
Main Causes of World War One
- Industrial development and competition, creating rivalries between countries.
- Strong nationalism across Europe and economic/political rivalry among great powers.
- The assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a Serbian student.
Consequences of World War One
- Victorious countries divided the possessions of the vanquished.
- The old and powerful European dynasties were gone.
- Worldwide empires like Austria-Hungary and Turkey disappeared.
- The United States was consolidated as a major world power.
The war led to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, the United States’ entry into Europe, and laid the groundwork for World War II.
Political Liberalism
Political liberalism began with the bourgeoisie’s struggle against the absolutist power of the nobility during the transition from feudalism to early bourgeois capitalism.
Zollverein
Zollverein: A customs union of Germanic states created in 1834 around Prussia. It removed economic borders and unified trade and currency throughout Germany.
The Soviets
The Soviets arose during the first Russian revolution of 1905. They were not initiated by any party but were a spontaneous effort of the masses during revolutionary events.
Taylorism
Taylorism, advocated by Taylor in the U.S., involved dividing production tasks to increase productivity and prevent worker control over production time.
Mussolini
Mussolini: An Italian politician from a humble background. He was a teacher who became involved in politics, facing trouble with authorities and being expelled from Switzerland and Austria.
Marshall Plan
Marshall Plan: Funded much of Europe’s reconstruction after World War II, extending the economic, political, and cultural influence of the United States in the Western world.
Kennedy
Kennedy became the second youngest president in his country. His presidency included the Cuban Missile Crisis, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Vietnam War.