20th Century History: Revolutions, Wars, and Economic Upheaval
1. The Russian Revolution (1905-1922)
The First Stages
Driven by Marxist ideals, the revolution aimed to establish a state as an alternative to Western democracy and capitalism. A socialist economic system was envisioned, with the economy centrally planned and politically integrated. The Bolsheviks, a single political party, led the movement against the Tsarist government.
- 1905: The first revolutionary attempt failed.
- Spring 1917: The Tsar was overthrown, with hopes of transforming Russia into a more
Spanish-American War: Cuba, Philippines, and the Aftermath of 1898
The Liquidation of the Colonial Empire: Cuba and the Philippines
The Spanish Colonial Empire Overseas
After the independence of most of the empire in the early nineteenth century (Ayacucho, 1824), only the Antillean islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the archipelago of the Philippines in Southeast Asia remained part of the Spanish Empire. Cuba and Puerto Rico based their economies on agriculture for export, mainly sugar cane and snuff, using black slave labor. These colonies achieved major development
Read MoreUS Elections: Campaigns, Financing, and Voter Behavior
What If We Had a National Election System?
Constitutional Amendment Requirement
A national election system would necessitate a Constitutional amendment.
The People Who Run for Office
A statewide election of delegates to a political party’s national convention, used to determine its presidential nominee, is called a presidential primary.
Raising money is one of the biggest obstacles for potential presidential candidates.
People who run for office can be divided into two groups: self-starters and those
Read More18th Century Spain: Bourbon Dynasty and Reforms
The War of Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht
In 1700, Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, ascended to the Spanish throne. This Franco-Spanish alliance threatened the European balance of power, leading to the formation of the Grand Alliance of the Hague (1701). England, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and other kingdoms supported Archduke Charles and declared war against Philip V. Within Spain, the Crown of Castile supported Philip, while Aragon, fearing French centralism, sided
Read MoreThe Reign of Elizabeth II of Spain: A Historical Analysis
Unit 12: The Reign of Elizabeth II
Introduction
In September 1833, upon the death of Ferdinand VII, the throne was contested. Carlist Don Carlos represented the traditionalist faction, while liberals supported the three-year-old Elizabeth II. This led to the establishment of a regency headed by Queen Maria Cristina.
Isabel II’s reign (1833-1868) marked a pivotal moment in Spanish history, solidifying the rise of liberalism, a movement with roots in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. This economic
Read MoreReign of Charles V and Philip II: Spanish Monarchy
The Empire of Charles V
Internal Conflicts, Comuneros, and Germanies
Charles I of Spain and V of Germany, son of Philip I of Austria and Joanna of Castile, inherited a vast empire:
- From his paternal grandfather, Emperor Maximilian I: The territories of the Holy Roman Empire.
- From his paternal grandmother, Mary of Burgundy: The Netherlands and Franche-Comté.
- From his maternal grandfather, Ferdinand of Aragon: The Crown of Aragon, Sardinia, Sicily, and Naples.
- From his maternal grandmother, Isabella of