Key Events and Figures of 19th and 20th Century Europe
The First World War
- Archduke Franz Ferdinand: On the 28th of June 1914, Ferdinand and his wife were killed in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. The killer supported a Greater Serbia, free from Austrian rule.
- In response, Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. Serbia rejected it, and on the 28th of July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
- Russia mobilized its military to support Serbia. Germany declared war on France and Russia. Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. The First World War had begun.
A Truly Global War
- The Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.
- Triple Entente: France, Russia, UK.
The two blocs sought new allies, which led to the globalization of the conflict. Fourteen European countries and colonies were involved. It was a total war.
La Gloriosa
In September 1868, La Gloriosa broke out.
- Generals Prim and Serrano led a pronunciamiento.
- Revolutionary juntas were created to control the cities and provinces.
The queen was forced to leave Spain. A provisional government led by Serrano was formed. He called elections for a constituent parliament. This parliament passed the constitution of 1869.
- Universal male suffrage
- Declaration of rights
Amadeo of Savoy
Amadeo of Savoy was chosen as king. As a foreigner, he was rejected by a lot of people. During his reign, a war broke out in Cuba and a new Carlist war began. Amadeo I abdicated.
Zumalacárregui
He was a Spanish general that was born in 1788. He was an important leader in the First Carlist War, a conflict that took place in Spain in the 19th century. He was a very skilled strategist and achieved some victories for the Carlists, a group that supported Carlos de Borbón. He died in 1836, during the siege of Bilbao.
Anarchism
- The trade unionist sector was moderate.
- The radical sector favored using violence and terrorism.
- In 1910, an anarchist trade union called the Confederación Nacional de Trabajo was formed.
Socialism
- Pablo Iglesias was the founder of the Spanish Socialist Party in 1879.
- The Unión General de Trabajadores was created at a workers’ convention in 1888.
- In the early 20th century, anarchists had a stronger presence in Spain than socialists.
Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar was born in 1783 in Venezuela. He was one of the most important leaders of South America’s successful struggle for independence from Spain. He led a massive revolt against Spanish colonial rule in 1810. The country of Bolivia is named after him. He led Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador and united them as Gran Colombia. He died in 1830 of tuberculosis.
El Tigre de Maestrazgo
Ramón Cabrera was a famous Carlist leader during the First Carlist War in Spain. He was born in 1806 and gained fame for his bravery and ferocity in battle. He won several battles in the Maestrazgo region. His aggressive tactics made him a legend. He was exiled after the war and died in 1877.
The Peace Conference
Versailles (Germany): No more weapons, Danzig, 100,000 soldiers, Kaiser to resign, Rhineland demilitarized, lost the East (Poland), Baltic territories, Alsace and Lorraine (France), Saarland (League of Nations).
Saint Germain (Austria), Trianon (Hungary): Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia (Serbia rules).
Sèvres (Ottoman Empire): UK (Iraq, Palestine, Transjordan), France (Syria, Lebanon), Saudi Arabia.
Neuilly (Bulgaria): lost territory to Yugoslavia and Romania.