World War II: Key Events, Figures, and Timeline
World War II: A Summary
Key Concepts
- Axis Powers (Rome-Berlin Axis): Military alliance between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.
- Anti-Comintern Pact: Pact between Germany and Japan (later joined by Italy and Spain) against the USSR.
- Genocide: Systematic extermination of an ethnic, religious, or political group.
- Partisans: Organized groups of armed civilians fighting against occupying forces.
- Ghetto: Neighborhood where marginalized groups are forced to live.
- Anschluss: 1938 annexation of Austria into the
The Spanish Civil War: Uprising, Conflict, and Repression
The Military Uprising and Outbreak of War
The Spanish Civil War erupted after a military coup launched in Melilla on July 17, 1936. The uprising swiftly gained control in Spanish Morocco. General Mola (Pamplona) was the mastermind, while General Franco traveled from the Canary Islands to Morocco to lead the powerful African army. General Sanjurjo, another key organizer, died in a plane crash on July 21. A National Defense Board, chaired by Cabanellas, was formed in Burgos to manage the Nationalist
Read MoreThe Rise of Totalitarianism: Russia, USSR, and Fascist Italy
1. The Russian Revolution
Tsarist Autocracy
The Tsarist Empire was vast, yet its absolutist monarchy clung to power while its social and economic structures lagged behind Europe. The Tsar, invested with absolute authority and lacking constitutional constraints, ruled by decree. The Orthodox Church held sway, the army wielded power, agriculture dominated the economy, and a privileged aristocracy controlled land ownership, leaving the majority of the peasantry impoverished. Industrialization, driven
Read MoreRussian Revolution, Totalitarianism, and Interwar Period (1917-1939)
Russian Revolution and Aftermath
Tsarist Regime’s Decline
In the late 19th century, the Tsars partially abolished serfdom. However, Russian expansionism led to conflicts such as the Russo-Japanese War, resulting in a Russian defeat in 1905 and widespread protests. Tsar Nicholas II authorized the Duma’s formation but largely ignored it. World War I defeats further fueled discontent, culminating in the February and October Revolutions of 1917, overthrowing the Tsar.
Rise of the Bolsheviks
A provisional
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: From Coup to Dictatorship
From Coup to Civil War: In 1936, Nationalist forces launched a coup against the Second Spanish Republic (National Uprising). From Morocco, where the Spanish Army of Africa was stationed, General Francisco Franco led the insurgent forces. The Republican government’s delayed response allowed the uprising to gain momentum. The Nationalists achieved success in many areas, particularly in the interior, but faced resistance in regions with strong worker and leftist presence.
The Failure of the Insurrection
Read MoreRegenerationism and Political Movements in Spain
Regenerationism
The Disaster of ’98 fueled movements critical of the Restoration system, advocating for political and social regeneration and modernization in Spain. These Regenerationist movements found support within the middle class, and their ideals were reflected in the thinking of Joaquín Costa, who championed the modernization of the Spanish economy and society, particularly through increased literacy. Dismantling the caciquismo system and promoting electoral transparency were also key
Read More