World War I Aftermath and the Foundations of Soviet Power
The Aftermath of World War I (1914-1918)
World War I was extremely cruel. Soldiers spent months suffering in the trenches, covered in mud, under constant bombardment, and enduring extremely poor health and hygiene. The consequences of these events were profound.
Human Cost and Casualties
There died more than 8 million people and 9 million others were injured, many of whom were severely mutilated for life. Specific losses included:
- 1,800,000 Germans
- 1,700,000 Russians
- 1,400,000 French
The Shift to a War
Read MoreThe Road to World War I and the Russian Revolution (1885–1921)
The Origins of Global Conflict (1885–1914)
The Berlin Conference was held in 1885 to establish rules for the colonization of the African continent by European empires. However, the rise of power of the German Empire created conflicts between European countries. Morocco, in particular, created significant tension at the beginning of the 20th century, as European powers all sought to control it.
The System of Alliances and the Arms Race
Before World War I began, two opposing alliances were formed:
- The
Key Events and Concepts of the Age of Imperialism (1843–1907)
Historical Timeline: Imperialism and Industrial Change
Significant dates marking the era of New Imperialism and the Second Industrial Revolution:
- 1843: The United Kingdom begins significant expansion in India.
- 1847: France annexes Algeria.
- 1856: Bessemer process enables low-cost steel production.
- 1859: First U.S. oil drilling occurs.
- 1859: France conquers Indochina.
- 1873: Beginning of the First Great Depression of Capitalism (Long Depression).
- 1877: Queen Victoria is proclaimed Empress of India.
- 1878: Edison
Defining WWII, Holocaust, and Spanish Civil War History
The Spanish Civil War and Its Aftermath
The End of the Conflict
Franco: Madrid fell to the Nationalists, marking the end of the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish government was modeled on General Franco’s own version of autocratic fascism until his death in 1975.
Key Figures and Events
Manuel Azaña: Leader of the Republican team. In 1936, the Socialist Popular Front, led by Manuel Azaña, won elections in Spain. Their reforms included:
- Granting women the vote.
- Giving land to poor peasant farmers.
- Reducing
The Unification of Italy and Germany: Nationalism and State Formation
Common Aspects of 19th Century Unification
In both Italy and Germany, the nationalist movement quickly aligned with liberal and democratic currents, drawing support primarily from the middle classes and the *intellectual class*. The widespread influence of Romanticism allowed for the restoration of an ideology that served both contemporary obsessions: Liberal Democracy and Nationalism.
Various states within Italy and Germany participated in the revolutionary waves of the 1820s, 1830s, and 1848. The
Read MoreGlobal Economic and Political Shifts: Europe, Asia, and Neoliberalism
1. Western Europe: Post-War Transformation and Crises
1.1. Political Systems: Democracies and Dictatorships
Democratic political systems were established in some Western European countries after World War II, while in others, democracy did not arrive until the 1970s. Dictatorships persisted in Portugal and Greece until 1974, and Franco’s dictatorship lasted from 1939 until 1975 in Spain.
1.2. Economic Expansion in Western Europe
Several factors fueled significant economic growth:
- The application of