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
The Resistance to Franco’s Regime (1939–1975)
Francisco Franco remained in power for almost 40 years, dying in 1975. This period is considered one of the longest dictatorships in modern European history.
The Opposition Policy in the First Francoism (1939–1959)
Initial Repression and Political Scattering
The substitution of the previous political system was accompanied by intense repression. Francoism sought to impose a warning on those who had opposed the uprising. Repression dismantled political parties and unions, whose members were imprisoned,
Read MoreWorld War II Aftermath: Reconstruction and the Cold War’s Genesis
The Impact of World War II
When the Second World War finished, it ravaged Europe and its population, which was decimated. Two new powers emerged: the United States (U.S.) and the USSR. The demographic balance showed around 50 million deaths; nearly half were in the USSR, followed by Germany and Poland.
Consequences of the War
Physical Destruction and Economic Shifts
The physical destruction was immense, affecting cities, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. This destruction caused a reduction
Russia on the Eve of Revolution: Politics and Society
Russia in the Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, the Russian Empire was one of the world’s largest and most populous nations. However, it lagged politically, economically, and socially, existing in a state between feudalism and early industrialization.
Political Landscape: The Tsarist Autocracy
Political power was concentrated in the hands of the Tsar, Nicholas II, who ruled as an autocrat and served as the head of the Orthodox Church. His power was supported by several key pillars:
- The aristocracy
- The