The USSR Under Stalin: Civil War, Power Struggle, and Dictatorship
The USSR Under Stalin
The Civil War and the Creation of the USSR
With the support of the Congress of Soviets of Russia, Lenin formed a worker’s government. The new Soviet government established the first revolutionary measures: land was expropriated to be distributed among the peasants, and factories came under the control of workers’ committees. The peace of Brest-Litovsk (1918) was also signed with Germany, which led to major territorial losses for Russia.
The new Soviet government had to face a
Read MoreAlfonso XII’s Reign & the Canovista System in Spain
The Reign of Alfonso XII: A New Era in Spain
The Shift to Conservatism
The reign of Alfonso XII marked a significant turning point in Spanish history. Political instability during the previous democratic presidential term had caused a shift of the bourgeoisie towards more conservative positions. The failure of the Republican ticket had awakened in broad sections of society the desire for a restoration of the monarchy, but on new political foundations that would restore order and ensure stability.
Read MoreWorld War I: Treaties, Consequences, and Cultural Shifts
The Peace of Paris
In 1918, President Thomas W. Wilson formulated a peace program called “Fourteen Points” to reach a just peace. When the war ended, the victorious powers, except Russia, met in Paris in 1919 to establish peaceful conditions that had to be imposed on the defeated countries.
The Peace of Paris (1919-1920)
Consists of five treaties:
- Versailles Treaty with Germany
- Treaty of Saint Germain with Austria
- Treaty of Trianon with the newly independent Hungary
- Treaty of Neuilly with Bulgaria
- Treaty
Fernando VII’s Reign: Absolutism and Liberalism in Spain
Fernando VII’s Reign: Absolutism and Liberalism
The Absolutist Six Years (1814-1820)
The end of military operations did not appease the entire country. There was a confrontation between liberals and absolutists, both on the lookout for the position that Fernando VII would take upon his return. Upon his arrival, absolutist deputies gave the king the Manifesto of the Persians, which supposedly detailed the evils caused by the liberals and the Constitution. Some generals offered the king their support
Read MoreSpain in Crisis: 1909-1917, Moroccan Conflict to General Strike
The Moroccan Colonial Conflict
Since 1900, Spain had consolidated its presence in Africa, establishing a Franco-Spanish protectorate in Morocco. Spain accounted for the territory of the Rif, an area of interest stimulated by potential economic benefits and the restoration of the prestige of the Spanish army.
In 1909, the Rifians inflicted a defeat on Spanish troops. Spain decided to increase the number of troops in the Rif, which led to a popular protest movement.
The Tragic Week in Barcelona
On July
Read MoreUnderstanding 20th Century Political and Economic Concepts
Definitions
Totalitarianism: A political system in which the state has strong involvement in all aspects of life and a focus group or political party holds all state power, not allowing the actions of other parties.
Weimar Republic: The German political system established after the First World War, lasting from 1919 to 1933.
Collective Security: A basic principle of the League of Nations, whereby the security of each member country was assured by the others.
Liquidity: The ease of conversion into cash.
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