The Great Depression and Totalitarianism
CRASH OF 1929
Economic prosperity came to an end in 1929. This was the year in which the US experienced a severe economic crisis caused by excess production in relation to consumption. During the First World War, the US agricultural industry and some other major industries had dramatically increased its production in order to supply their allies in the war. However, by the end of the war, the demand in these countries decreased, creating an accumulation of stock in agricultural products and industrial
Read MoreThe Bolshevik Revolution: From Tsar to Soviets
The Russian Revolution of 1917
The First World War significantly impacted the Russian economy, which was ill-prepared for a prolonged conflict. Military defeats against Germany and substantial loss of life exacerbated the existing problems of supply and transport in the rear. The population was starving, and morale was at an all-time low.
The Events of February: The Fall of the Tsar
A strike on February 23, 1917, by textile workers in the capital inspired other workers to express solidarity. This escalated
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: Arias to Suárez
Arias Navarro’s government faced significant challenges, including constant strikes by workers in construction, metal, post offices, public transportation, and banking. The most violent of these occurred in Vitoria in March 1976, resulting in 5 deaths and dozens of injuries. The rise of terrorism by ETA and GRAPO, public order issues due to street protests by the opposition, and the events of Montejurra in May 1976, which involved clashes between the two branches of the Carlist movement, further
Read MoreSecond Republic and Civil War: Origins and Phases
The Second Republic
Following Primo de Rivera’s resignation, Alfonso XIII attempted a ‘soft dictatorship’ by naming Dámaso Berenguer as Prime Minister, aiming to control society without fully restoring the previous regime. This discredited the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, and the King himself. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) and anti-monarchical forces like the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) agreed to hold elections to proclaim the Republic, convene a Constituent Assembly,
Read MoreByzantine Art: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting & Mosaics
Byzantine Architecture: Key Features
Byzantine architecture is characterized by a unique blend of Roman and Eastern influences. Some of its defining features include:
- Materials: Structures often used brick masonry, covered with decorative elements like paintings, and mosaics.
- Elements: Prominent use of domes on pendentives; arches with alternating stone and brick voussoirs; columns with capitals or impost blocks, often tapered; and plant or geometric decoration, frequently created using a bevel (two-
Cold War Conflicts and Decolonization (1945-1990)
Training Bloss (1945-1949): Capitalism and Socialism
Rise of the Cold War: Influence in Europe (U.S. Marshall Plan, USSR: communist governments), the Berlin crisis (division of Germany: East Germany and West Germany, Berlin divided: blocking Berlin and Berlin Wall), the creation of military blocs (NATO, Warsaw Pact).
Wars (1945-1975)
- Korean War: Between North Korea (communist) and South Korea (pro-West), division of Korea.
- Vietnam War: French withdrawal from Vietnam and division: the communist North