John Locke: Foundations of Liberalism and Natural Rights
John Locke’s Political Philosophy
Early ideas from the Stoics, and later Scholasticism, developed the concept of natural law. Scholasticism, in particular, linked this to divine law or ‘Providence,’ suggesting everything occurred according to a divine design. This supported a hierarchical view of society, predominant in Europe, where roles (worker, defender, ruler) were seen as divinely ordained, and power derived from God. While Machiavelli had previously questioned the source of power, the 17th
Read MoreLate 19th Century: Industry, Socialism & Imperialism
Late 19th Century Advances
- Oil: Introduced as an energy source in 1859, supplementing coal and steam. It found applications in industry and transportation.
- Electricity: Began replacing mechanical steam power, significantly improving lighting, telecommunications, and urban transport (e.g., electric trams).
- Steel Industry: Expanded rapidly with the widespread use of steel in ships, railways, bridges, and buildings. This era also saw the development of stainless steel and aluminum production.
- Chemical
The Russian Revolution and Interwar Period: Key Events
The Russian Revolution
The course of Russian history was significantly shaped by its relative isolation and backwardness compared to other European nations. Under the autocratic rule of the Czars, only limited reforms were implemented, such as the liberation of the serfs, which ultimately failed to alleviate the widespread misery of Russian peasants. The military disasters during World War I, coupled with the hardships endured by the Russian people, contributed to the downfall of the Tsarist regime.
Read MoreThe Fall of the Monarchy: From Dictatorship to the Second Republic
Political parties of the Restoration began to probe the army to see the possibility of launching a coup against the dictator. The collaboration between politicians and the military resulted in the Sanjuanada, an artillery protest. He refused promotions within the military scale that were made on merit. The protest was held on the night of San Juan of 1926, and although Primo de Rivera won that battle, the artillery became a permanent conspiratorial element.
The regime’s opponents had other avenues,
Read MoreColonial Empires: Rise, Clash, and Consequences of Imperialism
The Great Colonial Empires (1870-1914)
Between 1870 and 1914, the great colonial empires were formed. The British Empire was the largest, followed by the French Empire. This process of expansion provoked fights and friction between the powers.
The Colonial Process
In the early nineteenth century, the colonial idea seemed abandoned, but it returned from 1830 onwards. The process accelerated after 1870, when the powers divided continents. At the 1885 Berlin Conference, African territory was taken over
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: Causes, Battles, and Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a conflict that lasted from July 18, 1936, to April 1, 1939. It began with a coup d’état attempt by right-wing elements, fueled by anticlerical sentiment. The Republic opposed the coup, leading to the distribution of weapons and widespread street conflict.
The Opposing Sides
The war pitted two main factions against each other:
- The Nationalist side, led by Franco, and supported by Godet and Mola, who sought military promotions.
- The Republican side, which