The Russian Revolution: Tsarist Collapse and Bolshevik Power (1900-1924)
Tsarist Russia: Features and Instability (1900–1917)
Political, Economic, and Social Features of Tsarist Russia
Tsarist Russia was an autocratic regime ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Politically, it lacked democratic institutions and repressed opposition parties. The Duma had very limited power. Economically, industrialization was uneven, and most of the population were poor peasants. Socially, society remained hierarchical, with the aristocracy dominating and the peasantry living in poverty. The country
Read MoreLabor Movement Evolution: Ideologies and Worker Solidarity
The Development of the Labor Movement
Since the mid-nineteenth century, the labor movement acquired an uneven development thanks to new forms of struggle, the emergence of anti-capitalist ideologies, and new forms of worker organization. Of all these developments, we stress:
- The progress of trade unionism, whereby workers associated to organize struggle or negotiation with employers and the state, in order to obtain better working conditions.
- The use of the general strike as a means of pressure. However,
Understanding the Theories and Causes of Imperialism
Theory and Causes of Imperialism. The late nineteenth century in European politics introduced a new concept: imperialism. This term alluded to the formation, by the great European powers, of overseas empires in Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Little-known enclaves existed in parts of these continents, where commercial factories were controlled by the British, French, and Dutch. They traded with the natives and exported to Europe spices, silk, porcelain, ivory, and even slaves. Previously, since the XV
Read MoreThe 17th Century: Crisis, Revolution, and the Age of Baroque
The European Economy in the 17th Century
Economic growth stagnated. Manufacturing and commerce declined, particularly in Southern Europe.
Causes of Economic Stagnation
- The Thirty Years’ War.
- A food crisis caused by stagnant agriculture.
- The spread of the Black Plague.
Impact on Agriculture and Population
- Agriculture: Constant wars caused a shortage in farm labor. There was a general decline in temperatures, which also hurt crops.
- Population: Europe’s population grew at a very slow pace.
The Thirty Years’
Read MoreKey Events and Conflicts of the Cold War Era
The Cold War Period
The Cold War was a long period of tension between the democracies of the Western World and the communist countries of Eastern Europe. The West was led by the United States, and Eastern Europe was led by the Soviet Union. These two countries became known as superpowers. Although the two superpowers never officially declared war on each other, they fought indirectly in proxy wars, the arms race, and the space race.
The Iron Curtain and Germany
The division of Germany symbolized the
Read MoreEconomic Impacts of World War I and the Great Depression
The Economic Consequences of World War I
The First World War caused a lot of military and civilian casualties, but it also resulted in significant monetary and material costs.
The government had to intervene in the economy, which was necessary during the war (control on prices, production, labor, etc.). Some controls remained, but the economic system changed.
The war also caused a disruption of international trade. Non-belligerents promoted domestic production (import substitution), European countries
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