Russian Revolution to Rise of Nazism: Key Events & Impacts
1. The Russian Revolution
During World War I, in 1917, the Bolshevik revolution exploded in Russia, overthrowing Tsar Nicholas II and establishing the first communist state in the world.
In the early twentieth century, the Tsarist empire was a vast country with an absolute monarchy.
Politically, the Tsars held autocratic power.
Agriculture was the main economic activity, and land was concentrated in the hands of a few landowners from the privileged aristocracy.
In some areas of the empire, industrialization
Read MoreSpain’s Second Republic: Reforms, Conflicts, and Civil War
Republic II (1931-1936)
In January 1930, dictator Primo de Rivera resigned. Alfonso XIII attempted a return to constitutional normality, but the process was slow. Dissatisfaction grew against Berenguer. Opposition organized through the Pact of San Sebastián, and in December, an insurrectionary act to proclaim the Republic in Jaca failed. The monarchy’s last government, led by Admiral Aznar, called for municipal elections on April 12, 1931. These elections became a referendum on the monarchy. Republican
Read MoreAmadeo I & the Tumultuous First Spanish Republic (1870-1874)
Reign of Amadeo I
Amadeo was elected king through the efforts of Prim, who aimed to prevent the proclamation of a republic. However, on the very day the king landed in Cartagena, December 30, 1870, Prim died in Madrid, a victim of an attack. With his main supporter gone, Amadeo’s reign faced an uphill battle. The identity of Prim’s killer was never discovered.
Amadeo entered Madrid on January 2, 1871, swore allegiance to the constitution, and initiated Spain’s first experience with a democratic monarchy.
Read MoreSpain’s Second Republic: From Revolution to Civil War (1931-1936)
October 1934 Revolution
In Spain, on October 5, 1934, monitoring irregular activities, suppressed militarily by the government, led to a declaration of a state of war. This only ignited the revolution in Catalonia, with the proclamation of the Estat Català, and in Asturias, where miners staged a workers’ revolution.
The Revolution in Asturias
The Workers’ Alliance, composed of socialists, communists, and anarchists, mobilized some 20,000 miners, arranged in columns or armed militias. These workers’
Read MoreUnderstanding Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: A Historical Analysis
1. Classification and Typology
The text is a manifesto published on September 14, 1923, by Primo de Rivera after his coup d’état. It’s a primary source of historical and political nature, narrative in form, where Primo de Rivera exposes his political ideals. The manifesto is addressed to the Spanish public.
The author is Miguel Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja (1870-1930), a Spanish political and military figure who advocated for order, discipline, and patriotism. Raised during the Restoration era in a
Read MoreSpanish Liberalism vs. Absolutism: 19th Century Turmoil & American Independence
The Constitution of 1812: A Brief Liberal Interlude
This constitution resulted from a compromise between liberals and absolutists. Its contents included:
- Establishment of national sovereignty.
- Establishment of a limited monarchy with the division of powers; the courts had broad authority.
- Imposition of Catholicism as the official religion.
The king could not leave the country without the consent of the courts, nor could he bestow the crown, sign treaties, or dissolve the courts. All royal decisions had
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