Second Industrial Revolution: Colonialism and the Great War
Second Industrial Revolution and Colonialism
The Second Industrial Revolution saw economies transform, increasing production and improving trade and transport. Utilizing their financial and military superiority, European powers established colonial empires in Africa and Asia.
Causes of Colonialism
- Europe sought new markets.
- There was an excess of population, which caused people to emigrate.
- Expansionist fervor was prevalent on lands outside Europe.
- Conservative nationalism advocated the superiority of
Roman Legacy and the Rise of Islamic Influence in Iberia
The Roman Peoples and Iberian Cultures
During the first millennium, indigenous cultures encountered the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians (Mediterranean), and Celts (north). These interactions resulted in a blend of native traits and external influences. The Phoenicians (Lebanon, 8th century BC) founded colonies such as Malaka, Sexi, Abdera, and Gadir. The Greeks (7th century BC) settled on the east coast, from Rosass and Ampurias to Denia. Phoenician and Greek merchants sought metals, agricultural
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Dictatorship and Catalan Politics
The Fall of Primo de Rivera
The growing opposition, disagreements with the military, the attempted coup on the night of San Juan in 1926, the economic crisis of 1929 (which caused the devaluation of the peseta and a trade deficit), and increasing dissent left Primo de Rivera without support. In 1930, he consulted with military leaders and resigned on January 28th, without consulting the King, and exiled himself to Paris. He was replaced by Dámaso Berenguer. The CNT, UGT, and PSOE opposed the monarchy,
Read MoreWWI: Alliances and the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Alliances Leading to World War I
The alliances that led to WWI were:
- The Treaty of London (1839): Article 7 of this treaty saw Great Britain pledge to protect the neutrality of Belgium.
- The Dual Alliance (1879): Following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, a newly formed German Empire, having acquired territories from France and fearing reprisal, signed the Dual Alliance Treaty with Austria-Hungary. This was a defensive pact against potential Russian aggression.
- The Franco-Russian Military Convention
Marxism, Socialism, Colonialism, and Key 19th-Century Events
Marxism, Socialism, and Anarchism
Marxism and Socialism: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels denounced the exploitation of the working class and advocated for a workers’ revolution. Anarchism: This ideology brought together thinkers who shared three core principles: the exaltation of individual freedom, criticism of private property while defending collective ownership, and the rejection of all authority. They opposed political participation and advocated for violent action against the pillars of capitalism.
Read MoreSpain After the War: Centralization and Reform
The end of the War of the Spanish Succession led to a new organization of the monarchy in the defeated kingdoms, which had been part of the former Crown of Aragon. The abolition of their privileges was followed by the dismantling of their institutions and the establishment of an absolute, centralized monarchy. This new form of government was strongly articulated by the Nueva Planta decrees, which abolished the self-government of the kingdoms of Aragon, Valencia, and Mallorca, and the Principality