World War I: Contenders, Characteristics, and Aftermath
Contenders (First World War)
The First World War broke out in Europe in 1914. It was a conflict that covered a large territorial extension and was known by its contemporaries as the Great War. The contenders were grouped into two camps:
- The Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, which Bulgaria and other states joined later.
- The Allies or Triple Entente: France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Serbia, which the United States and other countries joined later.
Characteristics
Read MoreFebruary Revolution 1917: Causes and Consequences
The February Revolution of 1917
2.1 The Impact of World War I
With Russia’s involvement in World War I, most factories were converted into war industries. Essential products became scarce, prices rose, and the purchasing power of wage earners fell significantly. Military defeats against Germany further eroded public confidence in the Tsar, and the increasing influence of Rasputin in court fueled discontent.
2.2 The Fall of Tsarism (February 1917)
The combined military and economic disaster caused a
Read MoreMiddle English Period: Society, Trade, and Education
Middle English Period (1066-1485)
Historical Context
The Middle English period begins with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and ends with the conclusion of the War of the Roses between the House of York (white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose). During this era, texts were written in Latin (due to the Church’s influence on education), French (the dominant language for many years, especially in the first half of the period), and Middle English (the vernacular language).
The Legend of King Arthur
The
Read MorePolitical Opposition and Crisis in Francoist Spain
The Political Opposition
The nationalist parties, like Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), played a significant role in this historical period. In 1974, the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC) was founded, a party led by Jordi Pujol. In the Basque Country, the most impactful event was the emergence of ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna – “Basque Fatherland and Liberty”) in 1959. This new organization, combining socialist ideas and radical nationalism, advocated
Read MoreFrench Revolution: Causes, Events, and Legacy
The Beginning of the Revolution
The States General met in May 1789, chaired by King Louis XVI. It included members of the nobility, clergy, and a third estate. The third estate created the National Assembly and undertook to draw up a constitution, as the other estates opposed voting by person.
The End of the Old Regime
The people of Paris supported the Third Estate. The beginning of the French Revolution was on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille. This revolt brought about many noble
Read MoreContestado War & Canudos War: Key Facts
Contestado War (1912-1916)
Key Facts
- Time: 1912-1916
- Location: A region between Paraná and Santa Catarina states, Brazil.
- Leader: José Maria de Santo Agostinho, also known as “Monk” José Maria.
- Characteristics:
- Occurred during the government of President Hermes da Fonseca.
- Involved a territorial dispute between Paraná and Santa Catarina. The area was initially ceded to Brazil by Argentina through diplomatic efforts by Rio Branco.
- The construction of a railroad between Porto Alegre and São Paulo led