Key Events and Turning Points of World War II
Pre-War Europe and Rising Tensions
The Great Depression and Rise of Fascism
The Great Depression, starting around 1929 (though the text mentions 1921), contributed to instability and the rise of support for fascism, an authoritarian form of government.
- Benito Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy in 1922.
- Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party) in Germany, promoting nationalism.
Axis Alliance and Aggression
The Axis Alliance formed between Germany
Read MoreSpanish Constitution of 1931: Key Articles & Context
Articles of the Spanish Constitution of 1931
9 December 1931
(Excerpt: “Art. 1 España es una república democrática…”)
This is a text of a legal nature, specifically, the Spanish Constitution of 1931. Therefore, it originates from the appropriate public authority and is intended for the nation as a general text. It is a primary source, being a reproduction of articles from the 1931 Constitution.
The drafting of the constitution was carried out by a commission headed by the Socialist Jiménez de
Read MoreImperialism, Colonization, and the Road to World War I
Imperialism and Colonization
1. Imperialism
Imperialism involved economic innovation, transforming techniques, and reorganizing work. Major advanced countries created colonies, dominating territories militarily, economically, and politically.
Causes:
- Economic: Seeking larger and new markets, raw materials, and a place to invest surplus capital.
- Demographic: Emigration to improve working conditions.
- Political: Stabilizing European power dynamics.
- Ideological: Belief in national superiority.
2. Types of Colonies
- Exploitation
World War I: Causes, Rivalries, and Tensions
The Causes of World War I
The First World War was the result of a long process, rooted in imperialist expansion and the formation of a global economy. The alliance policy and the increasingly inadequate empires (Russian, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian) to govern their dominions also played a significant role. The effects of the war became evident from 1919 onwards.
Today, a multi-causal explanation of the outbreak of war is favored, moving away from interpretations based solely on economic reasons or Prussian
Read MoreKorean War: Causes, Conflict, and Consequences
The Korean War (1950-1953)
Korea was formerly a possession of Imperial Japan in the 19th century. After 1945, the southern part of the peninsula was occupied by American allies, and the northern part by the Red Army, allied with the Chinese army. The border was divided by the 38th parallel. The Communist victory in China in October 1949 clearly threatened U.S. hegemony in Asia, mirroring the Communist expansion in Europe. The U.S. aimed to make Japan the “Germany of Asia,” a capitalist frontier against
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Battles, and Aftermath
World War I: A Comprehensive Overview
World War I, also known as the Great War, was the first global conflict, mobilizing all human and economic resources. Seventy million soldiers were mobilized. The war imposed a war economy to procure guns and ammunition for the army, while the population suffered rationing and hardship. To obtain resources, the military resorted to public debt issuance.
Phases of the War
War of Movement
The German Schlieffen Plan aimed to win on the Western Front and focus on the
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