Civilizations, Global Power Dynamics, and Regional Conflicts
Classification of Civilizations According to Huntington
Huntington’s classification divides the world into several major cultural and civilizational areas:
- Chinese-Confucian area
- Indian-Hindu area
- The Judeo-Christian West, further divided into:
- Slavic-Orthodox-Eurasian (post-Byzantine)
- Western (US, EU, Commonwealth)
- Latin American
- Islamic World, divided into:
- Arabs
- Turks
- Indo-Pakistanis
- Africans
- Southeast Asians
- Japanese-Shinto nation-civilization
- Black-African area (divided into Muslim and non-Muslim, e.g., Sudan,
Second World War: Causes, Allied Counteroffensive, Axis Defeat, and Wartime Economy
Vocabulary
- Great Depression: Severe economic crisis that began in 1929.
- League of Nations: International organization created after the First World War to keep peace.
- Anti-Comintern Pact: Alliance against the organization supporting world communism.
- Blue Division: Volunteer troops from Francoist Spain.
- Repatriate: To return someone to their own country.
- Armistice: Agreement between opposing armies to suspend fighting and establish the terms for peace.
- Demoralize: To make someone lose hope.
- Non-Aggression
Spanish Civil War: Causes, Key Events, and International Impact
The Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a significant social, political, and military conflict that took place between July 17, 1936, and April 1, 1939, when Franco declared victory. The conflict had several underlying causes. The polarization of political parties, with right-wing and left-wing factions, intensified after the Popular Front’s victory in the February 1936 elections. This victory further radicalized the right-wing.
Between February and July, major riots erupted in the streets,
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Participants, and Treaty of Versailles
World War I: Causes, Participants, and Treaty of Versailles
Social Change and Labor Movement in 19th Century Spain
In Spain, there was strong population growth during the 19th century. The population model was based on the predominance of agriculture. Crop failure (causing famine), epidemics, and diseases were common.
From Estates Society to Class Society
The transition to a capitalist economy led to social change. The new ruling class was nurtured by the old landed gentry, who formed an oligarchy of landowners at the top of society. Below them, a weak middle class existed, both rural and urban, consisting of
Read MoreVindictiveness and Appeasement: Origins of World War II
The policies of vindictiveness and appeasement in foreign relations were products of the First World War, largely as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
The defeated nation of Germany, along with Italy (which felt it had not adequately benefited from the distribution of territories), sought revenge. Germany, in particular, was forced to surrender significant territory. These countries aimed to rebuild, regain their imperial structures, and return to being major powers.
The movement toward revenge
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