Global Conflict 1900 - Present

UNIT 7: Global Conflict 1900 - Present

A MAJOR SHIFT IN STATE POWER

Changes in the Dominance of the West in the 20th Century

• The 20th century witnessed a dramatic transformation in global power dynamics.

• Land-based and maritime empires transitioned into new state formations by the end of the century.

The Ottoman Empire's Changes

• The Young Turks revolution in 1908 resulted in the overthrow of the Sultan.
    - Implemented reforms including:
      - Secularized education and legal systems.
      - Established political elections.
      - Declared Turkish as the official language of the empire.

• These reforms alienated several minority groups, especially the Arabs, initiating nationalist movements that weakened the empire.

• The conclusion of World War I marked the end of the Ottoman Empire due to multiple internal and external factors.

Changes in Russia in the 20th Century

• The early 20th century saw the rise of a middle class and industrial working class that demanded greater government representation.

• Events:
    - The Russian Revolution of 1905, which was met with brutal repression.
    - Tsar Nicholas II proposed reforms including a constitution, legalization of unions, and political parties, but these yielded minimal changes.

• World War I exacerbated existing issues and triggered the Russian Revolution of 1917.

• Vladimir Lenin emerged as the leader of the Bolshevik Party, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union, the first Communist state.

• The collapse of the Russian Empire was attributed largely to internal conflicts and the communist revolution.

Changes in China in the 20th Century

• A revolutionary movement led by Sun Yat-sen emerged against Western powers and the Qing Dynasty unwilling to resist them.

• The Qing emperor abdicated, marking the end of over 2000 years of imperial rule in China.

• A provisional government briefly established, quickly engulfed by civil war.

• By mid-20th century, China transitioned into a communist state under Mao Zedong.

Changes in Mexico in the 20th Century

• The Mexican Revolution sought to overthrow dictator Porfirio Díaz, whose policies benefitted Western profits at the expense of the Mexican people.

• Francisco Madero, with socialist principles advocating land redistribution, briefly became president but was assassinated.

• Peasant armies led by figures like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata rose in revolt but failed for control.

• In 1917, a new constitution aiming to address major grievances emerged from the revolution.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

MAIN Causes of World War I

• Militarism: The arms race particularly between Britain and Germany escalated military capabilities.

• Alliances: The formation of the:
    - Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary.
    - Triple Entente: Russia, France, Britain.
    - An attack on one state would invoke responses from allied nations.

• Imperialism: Heightened tensions due to competition for colonial acquisitions in Africa and Asia, leading to rivalries among European nations.

• Nationalism: Rising nationalism led to tensions, where pride in one nation could escalate conflicts.

Total War

• Definition: A warfare strategy where entire nations mobilize their resources and populations to support the military effort.

• Civilians became legitimate targets during total war efforts.

The Spark of World War I

• The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip triggered the alliances established to engage in hostilities.

HOW WORLD WAR I WAS FOUGHT (1914-1918)

Technological Changes in Warfare

• Introduction of modern weaponry: machine guns, chemical weapons, tanks resulted in unprecedented levels of destruction.

• Trench Warfare: Developed due to static front lines resulting in high casualty rates and prolonged stalemates.

Propaganda Usage

• Governments effectively utilized propaganda to:
    - Convey biased information, often distorting facts to consolidate support for the war.
    - Foster nationalism, persuading citizens that their sacrifices were justified.

OUTCOME OF WORLD WAR I

• U.S. entered WWI in 1917 aiding the Allies to victory in 1918.

• Treaty of Versailles (1918):
    - Enforced severe reparations on Germany and dictated territorial losses.
    - The treaty's harsh terms failed to resolve underlying national tensions.

The Global Impact of the Great Depression

• The U.S. stock market crash in 1929 halted loans to Europe, exacerbating global economic turmoil.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal focused on:
    - Improving infrastructure and providing social welfare initiatives.
    - Government intervention equaled spending comparable to wartime funding.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC DISASTER

Soviet Economic Policies

• Post-war devastation necessitated the introduction of the New Economic Policy by Lenin.

• Joseph Stalin's Five-Year Plans aimed for rapid industrialization:
    - Included collectivization of agriculture to support urban industrial workers.
    - These drastic measures led to mass suffering and repression of the populace.

Unresolved Tensions Post-WWI in Colonized Nations

• Colonized populations did not gain independence despite participation in the war efforts to support their colonizers.

• The League of Nations established:
    - A mandate system allowing imperial powers to maintain control over ex-Ottoman and German colonies under the guise of guidance until self-governance was achieved.

MASS ATROCITIES

The Armenian Genocide

• Rising Turkish nationalism influenced by the Young Turks led to targeted extermination of the Armenian Christian population, leading to deaths varying from 600,000 to 1.5 million.

The Holocaust

• Nazi Germany initiated the systematic extermination of Jews and other groups during WWII.

• The Final Solution aimed at industrial-level genocide, resulting in the deaths of approximately 6 million Jews and 5 million others.

Patterns of Historical Atrocities

• Ideological similarities identified: the Casta System and Social Darwinism informed extremist racial policies.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR II

Main Causes

1. Treaty of Versailles: Disappointment for Italy and severe reparations on Germany leading to feelings of humiliation and resentment.

2. Imperialistic Actions: Japan's aggression, Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, and Germany reclaiming territories under Hitler's leadership.

3. The Great Depression: Global economic hardship fostering instability.

4. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: Totalitarian control in the USSR under Stalin, fascist regimes emerging in Italy (Mussolini), Japan, and Germany.
      - Totalitarianism defined: Total control of all aspects of life by the state.

Characteristics of Fascism

• Fascism as a far-right political ideology emphasizing extreme nationalism and militarism.

HOW WORLD WAR II WAS FOUGHT

Aggressive Actions by Germany

• Hitler initiated regime changes by canceling reparations, rearming, and territorial annexation.

• Start of WWII: Officially marked by Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, prompting declarations of war from Britain and France.

Comparison to World War I

• Both involved total war definitions, alliances in conflict, and extensive propaganda utilization to rally civilian support and demonize the enemy.

Variations in Mobilization Tactics

• Fascist States: Quick mobilization with everything oriented towards state interests.

• Soviet Union: Utilized Five-Year Plans for war needs.

• Democratic States: Relied on citizen cooperation through propaganda and social promises for wartime sacrifices.

Repression during the War

• United States interned Japanese populations post-Pearl Harbor.

• Nazi Germany enforced anti-Semitic laws, leading to persecution and genocide.

Technological Advancements in WWII

• Firebombing strategies led to mass civilian casualties and city destruction.
    - Notable examples include the bombing of Dresden and Tokyo.

• The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in immediate and catastrophic impact, concluding the Pacific conflict.