Global Political Systems and 20th Century Conflicts Summary

Posted on Jan 13, 2026 in History

Political Ideologies: Defining Characteristics

Socialism

• Private property accepted
• Parliamentary system with a powerful state
• Economy led by the state
• Classless society (as a goal)
• The proletariat controls the political power

Communism

• The economy and means of production are controlled by the state
• Transition achieved through revolution
• No private ownership
• Classless society
• The proletariat controls the political power

Anarchism

• No property
• Disappearance of the state and political parties
• Self-managed free associations without obligations
• Rejection of all types of authority

Liberal Capitalism

• Economic freedom regulated by the market
• Class-based society
• Individualism based on guaranteed private property
• The bourgeoisie controls the economy and political power

Historical Context and Loans

The assassination, the declaration of war by the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and the actions of other Prime Ministers and monarchs were key triggers for conflict.

LOANS: PRÉSTAMOS

Causes and Consequences of Major Events

Key Concepts Leading to World War I

Militarism

Build-up of armed forces to prepare for war. Many European countries made agreements or promises to help each other if a third country invaded them.

Alliance System

Agreement between countries to defend or fight together. After unification, Germany wanted to build up her Empire.

Imperialism

Belief of a country in building up an empire and controlling less powerful countries. Many countries in Europe were very proud and wanted to defend themselves as well as they could.

Nationalism

Pride in a country, with people wanting to govern themselves or defend themselves. Germany built up her armed forces to defend herself against other countries.

Major European Powers Before World War I

Russia

It was a poor country, but also the biggest one in Europe, governed by Tsar Nicholas II. Although it had no lands overseas, it wanted more territory in Europe and Asia, with access to the sea.

Britain (United Kingdom)

It ruled an empire with over one-quarter of the world’s people and was strong industrially. It was an island, so it needed armed forces to defend against invasion.

Austria-Hungary

A central European empire comprising ten different nationalities. Many of these nationalities wanted independence. It was ruled by the Emperor Franz Joseph II.

France

It also had an overseas empire. It was angry because it had lost the Alsace region in a war in 1871, and was hostile and suspicious towards its neighbors to the east.

Germany

It had a small Empire, and was jealous of the fact that Britain’s was bigger. Its industrial development was strong, but it needed more markets abroad.

The Interwar Period (1918–1939)

This period occurred between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII. The USA benefited from WWI; it became stronger and the leader, while Europe was very impoverished. All of the countries had a very bad economic situation.

1. Weimar Republic (1919–1933)

   The republic faced numerous economic, social, and ideological problems such as hyperinflation and political extremism.

2. League of Nations (1919–1939)

   Created in 1919 to solve problems between countries and maintain international peace.

3. Russian Revolution (1917)

   The proletariat started a revolution which led to a proletarian dictatorship and the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR = Soviet Union). Lenin led that revolution. The communist Bolsheviks replaced the Tsar and created the Soviet Union.

4. The Great Depression (1929)

   The good situation of US industry and the economy was based on a fictitious situation of overproduction, but all of that disappeared during the Crash of 1929 (The Roaring Twenties). After the overproduction, this period gave way to the greatest economic catastrophe of the century.

5. Rise of Fascism in Italy

   Mussolini rose to power in Italy, due to Italy’s economic problems. He wanted to solve the economic crisis and restore the glory of Rome.

6. Rise of Nazism in Germany (1933–1939)

   Germany’s bad economic situation (1929) allowed Hitler to take power by winning the elections. He promised to solve all the economic, social, and ideological problems. In 1936, he wanted to make the Third Reich more powerful. Germany allied with Italy and Japan and began to invade territories (Austria, Sudetenland, and Czechoslovakia). In 1939, the invasion of Poland began WWII.

7. Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)

   The Spanish Civil War started as a consequence of a coup d’état, carried out by a group of fascist soldiers who, with the help of Hitler, Mussolini, the right-wing parties, and the Church, removed the left-wing government which had won the elections in February 1936. Spain was divided into two sides (Republicans and Spanish Nationalists). Franco became dictator.

8. Stalin’s Rule (1922–1952)

   Lenin died and Stalin took power in Russia in 1922. During his dictatorship, many Russians were accused of being against communism. Stalin wanted the expansion of industrial production.

Consequences of World War I

1. The Peace Treaties

   In January 1919, a conference was held to establish the terms of peace. Thirty-two countries attended, but the main decisions were made by the four victorious powers: the United States of America, France, Great Britain, and Italy. US President Thomas Wilson presented a manifesto (Wilson’s 14 Points) that was based on peace and a desire not to seek revenge against Germany. However, the European powers wanted compensation from the Germans because of the destruction. The Treaty of Versailles declared that Germany was responsible for the war and must pay large amounts of money. For the Germans, this was a humiliation which only increased their desire for future revenge. The other defeated countries signed peace treaties (paying compensation to the victors).

2. The New Map of Europe

   As a result of the territorial cessions by the defeated nations, the map of Europe changed:

   • The Turkish Empire was reduced to Turkey. Turkish lands were absorbed into Greece, and Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine were established in the Middle East.
   • The Austro-Hungarian Empire disintegrated. Austria lost its possessions and became a republic. Hungary was established as an independent state. Serbia became the head of Yugoslavia.
   • The lands ceded in the Brest-Litovsk Treaty became new states: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

3. Social and Economic Consequences

   The war caused 10 million soldier deaths. The widespread destruction (towns, industries, etc.) left the nations completely impoverished. They had to ask for loans from other countries. The war benefited Brazil, Argentina, and Spain. The League of Nations was President Wilson’s idea, created to guarantee peace.