Imperialism, WWI, Russian Revolution & Interwar Period
Unit 0 – Imperialism
Age of Imperialism: Beginning 1830s / 1870s – Intensification 1880s – End 1914 (WWl)
Industrial powers: (UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Russia* / USA, Japan) – Africa and part of Asia
Driving factors: Economic (new markets, raw materials) – Demographic (settlement) – Political (prestige) – Ideological (humanitarian / racial / social)
- Berlin Conference: (1884 – 1885) – Summoned by Otto von Bismarck – European powers – Avoid clashes in Africa – Basic agreements: Free trade in
Understanding the Second Spanish Republic: Autonomy, Elections, and Reforms
The Second Spanish Republic: A Historical Overview
Autonomy: According to the established constitution, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Wales drafted their statutes of autonomy.
Events: Catalonia gained extensive legislative and judicial powers, as well as control over public order, within limits defined by the state.
BASC: The Basque Statute was approved during the Civil War.
Galician: In 1932, Galicia already had a draft statute. During the Biennium Black (1933-1936), Azaria fell, Alcalá-Zamora
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Conflicts, and Consequences
The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed intense global competition among major powers, setting the stage for World War I.
Imperialism and Colonial Rivalry
Great Britain held significant global power during the Victorian era. Germany’s unification was delayed, leading to intense protectionism. Germany needed to secure resources and conquer external markets. This aggressive attitude fueled colonial expansion, both economically and politically.
Authoritarian Regimes and Internal Conflicts
Germany’
Read MoreThe Paris Commune, Socialism, and Imperialism: Key Events
The Paris Commune (1871)
In March, an attempt by the French government to regain control of the situation led to a popular rebellion and the constitution of the Commune as a revolutionary power. It was made up of workers with different ideologies: Jacobins, republicans, socialists, and anarchists, etc. The Commune provided the first experience of a proletarian government, which led to the worldwide persecution of the First International. It was affected by internal divisions and was dissolved in
Spanish War of Independence: Causes, Conflicts, and Aftermath
The Seeds of Conflict: Godoy, Ferdinand, and Napoleon
Godoy was hated by the nobility for his plebeian origin, the Church for his attempts at secularization, those displaced from power by the Enlightenment, and especially Prince Ferdinand, who saw him as a danger to the throne.
This led to a smear campaign among the people. Both Godoy and Prince Ferdinand had tried to gain the friendship of Napoleon. To strangle British trade, Napoleon needed to neutralize Portugal, and this is how Spain came into
Read MoreFranco’s Regime: Ideology, Social Bases, and International Relations
The Franco Regime (1939-1959)
Ideological Foundations and Social Bases
Political and Ideological Aspects
Similarities with Fascism:
- Single party (FET de las JONS)
- Single union (vertical = Italian corporatism), mandatory for workers and employers.
- Militarism (the military as guarantor of order and values, a state of war until after 1948).
- Control of the media (press and radio of the Movement).
- Mass movement, exaltation of the leader, external signs of totalitarianism.
- Anticommunism.