World War II: Origins, Axis Formation, and Path to Conflict
Origins and Causes of the War
Two decisive factors contributed to the origins of World War II: the expansionism of fascist dictatorships and the economic crises of the 1930s.
Early Nazi Initiatives
Nazi Germany withdrew from the League of Nations. Hitler violated the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. The German dictator planned to dominate all of Europe, creating a large National Socialist racial state (Great Reich). In 1935, Hitler annexed the Saar after a plebiscite favored
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: Causes, Key Battles, and Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War
1. The Prelude to War
1.1 The Uprising and Division
The military revolt, starting in Melilla, Ceuta, and Tetouan, against the Republic, led to a divided Spain: Nationalist and Republican.
a) Nationalist Spain: Rural and Agricultural
Nationalist resources included Castilian cereal production, livestock, Galician-Leonese coal, financial support from the wealthy, and the Spanish Catholic Church.
b) Republican Spain: Industrial and Urban
The Republican side controlled the iron and steel
Read MoreBarcelona’s Tragic Week of 1909 & Catalan Commonwealth
Tragic Week in Barcelona, July 1909
The Tragic Week was a popular uprising in Barcelona that lasted one week.
Causes
- War of Morocco (1906): A colonial war where Spain aimed to dominate the area north of Melilla to Tangier.
- Algeciras Pact (1906): An agreement with France to split Morocco, with Spain gaining territories.
- Guerrilla warfare in the Rif region.
Development
In 1909, reinforcements were needed for the army in Morocco, mainly from Barcelona and nearby areas. The labor movement and unions called
Read MoreFerdinand VII’s Reign: Absolutism, Liberal Triennium, and Decade
Ferdinand VII’s Absolutist Reign (1814-1820)
In 1814, Ferdinand VII returned to Spain, pressured to cancel the constitution and dissolve the Cortes with the Manifesto of Madrid. The ‘Persians’ document, signed by several deputies, requested the restoration of traditional institutions. Signatories were Spanish, but also opposed to liberalism, Godoy, and despotism, justified by Floridablanca. This coup led the king, on May 4, 1814, to issue a decree annulling the reforms of the Cortes of Cadiz and
Read MoreKey Terms and Events: 19th and 20th Century History
Key Terms of the 19th and 20th Centuries
Economic and Political Concepts
Imperialism: An economic policy linked to industrialization, the extension of capitalism, and the expansion of multinational corporations in industrialized countries.
Arms Race: Military escalation between different countries to acquire more and better military assets, generally in anticipation of a possible conflict.
Colonialism: Ideology and political practice under which industrialized countries believe they have the right and
Read MoreNationalist Unification and Early Francoist Spain: 1936-1939
The Unification of Nationalist Forces
The next step was the unification of the political groups and parties that supported the military uprising: CEDA, Carlist monarchists, and Falangists. As it became clear that the war would be long, Franco concentrated on consolidating power. The Carlists, grouped in the Traditionalist Communion led by Manuel Fal Conde (who was later ousted by Franco), and the Spanish Falange de las JONS, whose leader José Antonio Primo de Rivera had been shot by Republicans,
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