Decolonization and Asia’s Post-War Emergence
Causes of Decolonization
Several factors contributed to the widespread decolonization process:
Weakness of Colonial Powers
A national process seeking independence emerged during the interwar period. Conditions for achieving the objectives of liberal movements were created during the Second World War. The war shattered the myth of invincible colonial powers when Great Britain and France suffered defeats in their colonies, often at the hands of the Axis powers. Criticism also arose against the colonial
Read MoreSpain’s Tumultuous Transition: Amadeo I and the First Republic
The Reign of Amadeo I (1870-1873)
Amadeo entered Madrid on January 2, 1871, determined to fulfill his role as a constitutional monarch. However, the political forces of the regime were unable to secure stability. Governments rapidly shifted between Sagasta’s Constitutionalists, Ruiz Zorrilla’s Radicals, and Serrano’s old Unionist group.
From the beginning, Amadeo faced opposition from the former moderate, Cánovas del Castillo, who was attracting many dissidents from the Union and Progress parties.
Read MoreEuropean Colonialism and Pre-War Tensions
Africa’s Colonial Division
The Scramble for Africa: Following America’s independence in 1824, European powers, including France, Britain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, intensified their colonial ambitions in Africa. By 1880, much of Africa was under European control, with Britain leading the partition. Cecil Rhodes aimed to connect British territories from north to south (Egypt to Rwanda), while France preferred horizontal colonization. The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) established rules for
Read MoreSpain’s Constitutional Evolution under Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II’s Constitutionalism in Spain
The government during Isabel II’s reign was characterized by a liberal system, where power alternated between Progressives and Moderates. This alternation was reflected in the different constitutions enacted.
Early Constitutionalism: 1834-1843
The Royal Statute of 1834
Promoted by Martínez de la Rosa, this statute attempted to establish a limited liberal system. It was a very restricted charter, granting limited rights. The Cortes (parliament) were bicameral,
Read MoreTotalitarian Regimes and Global Economic Crisis
After the death of Lenin, Trotsky fought for power in 1924. Stalin ultimately won.
The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
Stalinism in the Soviet Union
Stalinist Political Developments
Stalinism, characterized by Stalin’s personal rule, established a totalitarian police regime. Political dissidents were sent to concentration camps in Siberia.
Stalinist Economic Policies
The economy was transformed through planned five-year plans, marked by:
- Collectivization of the countryside: Rural farms were transformed into
Key Events and Figures of the Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution of 1917
The Russian Revolution of 1917 unfolded during World War I, largely triggered by the imperial government’s inability to effectively manage the war effort under Tsar Nicholas II. This pivotal event comprised two distinct stages:
- February Revolution: Led to the collapse of the Tsarist autocracy, the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and the establishment of the Provisional Government.
- October Revolution: Saw the Bolsheviks seize power, leading to the Russian Civil War and