American Identity, European Contrast, and the Cold War
American vs European Identity
This vision, attributed to Maldwyn Jones, that America began as merely ‘an extension of Europe’ under European colonialism, is true only in part. While we must understand these beginnings, the way in which America developed turned it into a very different entity.
Key Differences Emerge
The first difference is closely related to its initial status as a colony. Europe has a long history that has shaped different European identities for centuries, while America has a short
Read MoreKey Events: WWI and the Great Depression
World War I (1914-1918)
Causes and Tensions
Armed Peace and the Arms Race
The tension between different countries led to an arms race, beginning around 1890 and escalating until 1914.
The Balkans Situation
There were clashes in the Balkans as the Ottoman Empire declined. Austria-Hungary sought influence, and Russia also aimed to expand its interests in the region.
Major Alliances
- Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
- Triple Entente: France, Russia, and the United Kingdom
Key Military Aspects
Early
Read MoreHistorical Transformations: Liberalism, Crises, and Global Change
Liberalism Defined
Liberalism is a philosophy or set of ideas that defends the basic principles of individual liberty.
Impact of WWI and the 1929 Crisis
The First World War and the crisis of 1929 caused the collapse of the liberal model of government and led to the development of new forms of crisis management. The crisis brought down international prices of raw materials, decreased production, and increased prices of imported products. It meant the breakdown of U.S. stocks (where papers of the most
Read MoreSpain Under Fernando VII: Liberalism, Absolutism, and Colonial Loss
The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
A statement by Colonel starring Irrigation heads San Juan achieving success.
Opening the Liberal Triennium, the king was forced to abide by the Constitution of 1812, decreed an amnesty, and called elections. New courts, composed of a majority of liberal MPs, restored many of the reforms of Cádiz. They created the National Militia, an armed volunteer corps defending the liberal order. This reform process did not have the sympathy of Fernando VII, who sought help from
Read MoreForeign Powers and Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
International Dimension of the Conflict
Since the beginning of the war, Franco had the support of the fascist powers Germany and Italy, who provided material to the rebel army. France wanted to intervene but was afraid, and Britain stated it was a local conflict that the Spanish had to resolve. In 1936, France and England formed a Committee of Non-Intervention, which was joined by the major European powers. The Non-Intervention policy hurt the government of the Republic, as France and England maintained
Read MoreCauses and International Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
Reasons for the Coup
- The attempt to end the economic and social reforms of the left-wing Republican groups had created many enemies.
- The desire to restore public order.
- The desire to end the autonomous regions to unify the state.
- The fear of a proletarian revolution.
- The Army’s desire to return to political life.
- The defense of traditional Catholic values against secular history.
The Conspiracy
Since the Popular Front won the elections, several different general trends began planning a conspiracy against
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