Understanding the Causes and Stages of World War I
The Causes of World War I
France wanted the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, which had been ceded to Prussia in 1871 during the course of German unification. Poland was divided between Russia, Austria, and Prussia. The government was tolerant of Polish nationalism in the Prussian area, while the Russian Tsar aimed to unify and integrate Poland into the Russian Empire.
In the Balkans, tensions had escalated before the Great War, particularly between Austria and Russia. Russia was interested in having
France’s Evolving Role: Unions, Politics, and International Influence
The peacekeeping role played by unions in May 1968 allowed them to achieve a series of social reforms: CVT (collective bargaining agreements); wage agreements in the civil service; and advance notice for contract cancellations of three years, among others. The union attitude toward the crises of the 1970s was not unanimously aligned with government policy. Before Mitterrand, plant responses varied depending on the specific issue. The government attempted to reduce unemployment and increase wages,
Read MoreSpain in the Early 20th Century: Social & Economic Shifts
Economic and Social Transformations in Early 20th Century Spain
Demographic trends common in all countries experiencing industrialization were characterized by a decrease in mortality and, later, in birth rates. Migration occurred because the economy grew less than the population. Emigration slowed once there was an expansion of internal migration, which resulted in increased urbanization.
Agrarian Issues and Peasant Unrest
Spanish agriculture entered the 20th century grappling with the consequences
Read MoreIrish History, Culture, and Legends
Finn McCool
Lough Neagh is the largest lake in Northern Ireland. Legend says that the giant Finn McCool, in a fit of rage, scooped up a piece of earth and hurled it into the Irish Sea. This created the Isle of Man, leaving a hole that filled with water and became Lough Neagh.
The Giant’s Causeway
According to legend, the Scottish giant Bennandonner challenged the Irish giant Finn McCool to a fight. Finn accepted and built a causeway to Scotland. Bennandonner crossed it eagerly, but upon seeing the
Read MoreLiberal Revolutions and the Spring of Peoples (1820-1848)
Liberal Revolutions (1820-1848)
Revolutions of 1820 and 1830
During the Restoration, liberals organized themselves in secret societies, such as the Masons, the Carbonari, and the Decembrists. These societies, formed by businessmen, students, and others who considered themselves heirs of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment, prepared for revolts against absolutism. They held significant influence in cities, hoping the populace would join an uprising.
The revolutions of 1820 ultimately failed,
Read MoreSpain’s Restoration and 20th Century: 1874-1936
The Restoration (1874-1902)
The Restoration was a dual process:
- Political: Cánovas del Castillo managed the abdication of Queen Isabella II in favor of her son, Alfonso XII.
- Military: General Martínez Campos proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy.
Government
The government was based on two pillars:
- The Constitution of 1876: It was flexible enough to allow either party to govern without changes. It declared a wealth of rights with the option to restrict them, depending on the ruling party. It established