1900-present

1900-Present

Unit 7: Causes of WWI

West dominated global balance of power by the 20th century but by the end, many maritime and and land-based empires will fall apart and fall to new states.

  1. Ottoman Empire’s declune

-Last period, gained name of “The Sickman of Europe” and used defensive Tanzimat reforms

-Toung Ottomans fought for massive political change, and authoritarian sultanate agreed until threats from Russia and went back to authoritarian rule

-Then the Young Turks emerged desiring ottoman modernization and the identification of the Ottoman empire becoming Turkic. In 1908, they took power as they overthrew the sultan

Ottoman Reforms

-Secularization of schools and law codes

Establishment of political elections

-Imposition of Turkish language

→ Not good as these nationalistic policies alienated minorities, especially the Arabs→nationalism
(furthered fractured eurooe)

-By the end of WWI, they became the dead man of Europe as their empire was carved up

  1. The Russian Empire

-Under Alexander II (absolutis Tzar), there was some advancement in industrialization by the end of 19th century→Nicolas II continued this but the middle class began to resent this as they wanted a voice and the working class also faced major issues→ Russian Revolution 1905

-Nicolas II then accommodated some of their demands, like a constitution, legalization of  labor unions and political parties but as a dictator, he ignored the reforms

→WWI then occured as well as continued difficulties with industrialization led to the Revolution of 1917 led by Marxist visionary Vladimir Lenin who was the leader of the Bolsheviks (political party)--> successful as Lenin siezed power under communism and the Soviet Union waas born

  1. Qing China (-)

-Taiping Rebellion cost millions leaving them unpopulated and poor. They also lost the Opium wars and Sino-Japanese war.

-the Boxer Rebellion also occurred

-Revolutionary movement under Sun-Yat-Sen who demanded reform and ended abdicated the Qing emperor, ending Dynastic rule

-China emerged as a communist state under Mao Ze Dong

  1. Mexico Revolution

-Ruled by dictator Porfirio Diaz who all classes disliked, and in 1910, Madera was elected but died.

-By 1917, revolution was complete with new constitution with reforms (male suffrage, minimum wage)

Topic 2: Causes of WWI

  1. Militarism: belief states ought to build up militaries to protect best interest

-facilitated by industrial revolution

-Germany was unified last period, leading to stability and a very powerful force in Europe which made France nervous as they were facing issues and did not have a strong army

-France’s NRs were also drained worse than Germany

  1. Alliances: beginning of 20th c, In Europe, Triple Alliance (Germany, Italy, Australia Hungary) Triple Etente (Britain, France, Russia

-Alliances made for national security and to isolate threats

-In addition, incase war broke out, they built RRs to and plans if war/mobilization occured

  1. Imoerialism: Desire to protect power on world stage

  • Competition: Germany had powerful unity and wanted to expand at the expense of Europe. This led to conflict over cplonial holdings

  1. Nationalism: glory and commonality of people

  •  Convinced that their national identity is the most important things and wer under threats to rival states

  1. Assassination in Balkan: Serbian nationalist Gavrilo shot Archduke Ferdinand

  • Nationalism caused this, Alliances: Serbia allied with Russia and AH with Germany. Russia allied with Russia and France.

   Topic 3: How WWI was fought

First Total War: Mobilization of whole population with the use pf propoganda for motivation, with the use of nationalism. People began to view others as enemies and believed strongly in national identity.

-New military technologies made WWI one of the deadliest wars (Machine guns, Chemical gas, and tanks.

-Trench Warfare: found victory went to first mover and spirited attacks but were met with machine guns leading to Trench warfare. Each side hid in trenches and if one side comes out, they will be shot or stuck in wire.

-Led to a stalemate as many people died with little progress

- Imperial groups called up colonial men who would carry military equipment. They did this in hoepes it would give them self rule or independence

The end of the War:

-Key turning point when US joined with Sinking of Luisitania and note. Their might of industry helped end it 1918 with signing of TOV. The allied powers had one.

Topic 4: The global economy between the wars

How governments became involved

  1. Germany: Had to pay reparations. They had paid for war supplies and figured they would pay it back once they won. So the government chose to print money leading to higher inflation. This also impacted Germany and france as Germany was supposed to pay the reparations so they can pay back the US. the soviets were also not paying their depts due to revolution. Colonial governments also suffered as they relied on their parent countries (Africa, Asia, Latin America). By 1924→ Dawes plan with economic stability.

  2. Soviet economies: Russia exited WWI due to revolution but was still negatively affected. Lenin issued the NEP in 1923 which introduced some limited free market principles with big places remaining under government control→ Limited success and he died in 1925→ Joseph Stalin who was a dictator took over. He wanted them to industrialize quickly with Five Year Plans. He enacted collectivization of agriculture where farms combined under the state. The kulaks resisted where they were either killed or brutally tortured. This greatly impacted Ukraine as they were great producers of grain. This led to a famine as everything was exported. Millions died during this time.

  3. 1929: Great depression: The US was very helpful during this time undil the Great Depression occured. This became a worldwide phenomenon. The US was very laissez faire until this. Under FDR, the New Deal occurred where the govern,ent put people to work on infrastructure projects, introduced a government sponsored retirement program and created metical ensurance for children and elders. 

→ 1939: WWII

Topic 5: Unresolved tensions after WWI

-Despite colonial people fought in WWI, they were not given self rule. 

-Mandate system in Middle East (Colonies switched from place to place): At Paris Peace conference, Victorious powers dismanted Ottoman and Germany colinoes and divided them among themselves

-Woodrow Wilson said that self determination should exist where they have the right to view themselves while French and British did not like this→ compromise was Mandate System where Middle Eastern territories would become mandates administered by the league of nations with three levels. They were treated like colonies under this. This led to anti-colonial resistant.

-INC: existed before the war int he late 19th century, formally petitioning the British Government for greater degrees of self rule in India. (1920s Ghandi)

-ANC founded in South Africa by western-educated lawyers and journalists, dedicated to obtain equal rights for colonial subjects in South Africa. This was influenced by Pan-Africanism. Not successful until after WWII. 

  1. Japan’s expansion in interwar years (odd one out as only nonwestern state equal to west)

-1931: invade Manchuria and quit LON

-took over part of China

Topic 6: Causes of WWII

-TOV: Britain and France (-) to other countries

-Cause number one: WWI grievances

-Italy was bitter as hey did not receive promised land grants. They were allied with Germany’s and then allied promised them land grants and fought against Germany. Allied regretted this as they kept adking for more, so in TOV they chose to withhold their land.

-Germany had to pay reparations leading to inflation. They also were demilitarizes making them vulnerable. They also had to take the war guilt cause where they took full responsibilty to embarrass them, making Hitler very mad.

Cause number two: Continued imperialst aspiratioins

-Japan continued to expand, LON couldnt stop them

-Italy began expanding, invading Ethiopia (Haile Sesallie) as not giving land after WWI

-Germany, under Hitler, wanted land takien from TOV. He took back Rhineland and expanded into Czechoslavakian. Britannia nd France did nothing as did not want to enter a WW. This showed Hitler he can get away with this.

Cause number three: Economic crisis during interwar period

-unemployed and hungry being vulnerable to authoritarians.

Cause number 4: Rise of Fascist and Totalitarianism

-Soviet Union: Stalin wanted the whole world to be communism

-Fascism in Italy: political philosophy characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarian leadership, and militaristic means to achieve goals. Mussolini rose to power due to instability. He provided public services which was welcome relief.

Germany: Hitler, Nazi party, Authoritarian. Defined common enemy of socialists, communists and Jews. Before evil, helpted with hunger.

-cancel reparations, remilitarize and break TOV, expand territory (Lebensraum), eliminate “impure” people

Topic 8: How WWII was fought

-Total War, but moreso as more devestating

-IC: Hitler invaded Poland (showed others he wante dto take over whole world)

-Axis powers: Fascists, Japan, Italy, Germany and Allied powers: Britain, France, Soviet Union, US

-Pearl harbor: 1941, brought US in

-Many continuities with WWI

-mobilize people and colonies

-propoganda→massive armies

-Ideologies: 

fascism-glorification of state with militaristic (JAG)

-serve interest of whole state (help economy)

-hitler established labor camps for Jews to support war

-Stalin under communism

-rapid industrialization

-five year plans→ suffering

-Democracy: GB, Churchill, wanted to crush Hitler. He could not control their state as not a dictatorship so relied on persuasion. HE used propaganda to express a “people’s war” and the government promised welfare.

Repression of basic freedoms

-US after pearl harbor, Japanese forced into internment camos

-Germany: nuremberg laws for jews and concentration camps 

Strategies

-Germany :Blitzkrieg-speed and surprise attacks

-Fire bombimg: Small clusters of fire in urban areas to start a fire- many civilians died

Technology: Atomuic bomb established by US, dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima

Allied prevails

Topic 9: Mass Atrocities

Causes:

-Two world wars→120 million deaths, half were civilians

-New technologies with Aerial warfare (Firebombing and atomic bomb)

-Biggest cause was rise of extremist political ideologies

  1. The armenian genocide (20th century)

-Ottoman Empire revisioned state to be Turkic leading to suspicion on Armenians

-mass extermination and forced relocation and starvation

  1. WWII: Holocaust

-Hitler’s desire to purify race “final solution”

-Nuremberg laws: Took rights of jews and forced them into ghettos where they were abused and brutalized

-Hitler used industrial technology for labor camps (Auschwitz-12000 killed with gas chambers)

  1. Cambodian Genocide 

-PolPot, Khmer Rouge, took power with China’s support. Wanted agrarian state and to erase western ideas, targeting intellectuals. A quarter of the population in Cambodia died.

Unit 8

Topic one: Context for the Cold War and Decolonization

-Allies won WWII, but faced issues

Why did the US and Soviet Union emerge as superpowers? Technology and wealth!

Economic Advantages

US: Great Depression in 1930s, mobilization allowed for turn around (women worked), did not face harsh issues to rebuild besides Pearl Harbor. They ghad the ability to pay through the marsha;ll plan (helped war torn nations). When it comes to technology, they had the atomic bomb. This showed others they had strong technology,

Soviet Union: Hit hard by WWII but they had natural resources from large territory anf they had a large population. They also invested a lot before WWII, which helped the infrastructure. They developed own atomic bomb after US’s, leading to arms race.

Stage for Decolonization:

-Two WWs created this as they fought in hopes for greater self ruke. Woodrow Wilson also said self determination should be motives for war. The Mandate system said they would level self rule but it did not do this. This made colonial people mad. During WWII, colonial troops did not get independence leading to anrti imperial movements. GB and France had no way of resisting this due to weakness after WWII. After 1945→Decolonization.

Topic 2: The Cold War explained

Causes

  1. Conflicting ideologies

-Democratic capitalism with US and Authoritarian Communism with the Soviet Union. Both ideologies are universal, meaning they want everyone to be like this. They want to prove superiority. 

  1. Mutual mistrust

  • US, soviet Union and Great britain said that there would be free elections, but the Soviet Union was not happy as this means they would become caputaliust. This led the the SU holding them against their control, leading to communism. Germany was also divided between four controls, but SU refgused to let them go. This led to an iron curtain issued by Winston Churchill

Effects

  1. Impacted decolonization

  • The US and SU raced to get these decolonized states under their control. Some refused to be pawns, making them dependent on stronger nations. The non-aligned movement was born where African and Asian states (1955) did not want to get involved in conflict. By feigning support, some got aid from one of the places.

Topic 3: The Effects of the Cold War

  1. Western nations formed NATO, against Soviet and communism. The Soviets formed Warsaw pact. If one attacked, all join in. This cranked up the tension

  1. Proliferation of Nuclear weapons: US made hydrogen bomb and later so did the Soviet Union. After failed attempt to get rid of Fidel Castro of Cuba, the US found missiles placed by SU. This showed build up was problem. Treaty created to stop this

  2. Proxy wars: Smal local wars, indirect fighting where US and SU take sides

Korean War: Communist north invade anti-communist south, Us aided anti-communist and SU vaid communist. Ended in stalemate.

Topic 4: The spread of Communism

  •  Communism in China

    • 1927: Mao Ze Dong, nationalists vs communists

    • Civil war resumed after united to fight Japanese

    • Mao→ peoples republic of China

      • GLF to industrialize China, Mao believe communism was corrupt, and in contrast to the Soviet union, he focus on industrializing rural areas

  • Other socialist/communist movements

    • Africa/Egypt

      • British took control of Suez Canal. Didn’t have to pay money for goods to go around. In 1952, Nasser wanted independence from Britain. He wanted to nationalize the canal under Egypt. They were then invaded and the Us threatened them and they left Egypt.

    • Vietnam

      • Communist in north began land distribution

    • Latin America/Cuba

      • Fidel Castro’s revolution→ communism, wanted to end dependence on the US. Cuban missile crisis, Bay of Pigs, etc.

Topic 5: Decolonization

Two ways 

  1. Negotiated independence

-India: French colony. 

-INC in 1885, wanted voice, fought in WWI then Armritsar Massacre during peaceful protest → Ghandi protested for independence (homespun movement, salt march). The British were broke and recognized India’s independence. Even though they gained independence, they faced violence. They were home to Muslims and wanted their own league. Pakistan was created, home to Muslims. There was violence againsyt others. (Partition of India)

-Africa/Gold Coast

-GB ebuilding from war, gave them independence, led by Nkruma.

Armed conflict

-Algeria was hotspot for French migration, who resisted independence. French responded with brutality for their independence movement with HRV. They eventually gained independence

Topic 6: Statebuilding AFTER Decolonization

Boundary conflicts: Partition of India→ violent

-Kashmir, Muslims minority but ruled by Hindu, home to NRs. Pakistan launched tax to claim it as own.

-Creation of Israel: Palestine tranfered to Britain. Zionism emerged by Jews which was to have own state. Large migrations of jews occured.

Government involvement:

-Nassernationalized Suez Canal (1956), social reforms of education→ role in directing economy after independence

-Ghandi: SHE implemented five year plans so government has more control and not western nations. Led to Green Revolution. 

Migration to Metropoles (designated territory of the imperial country in distinction from their colonial holdings during the age of Imperialism)

-India colony if britain, Britain metropolek (Example)

-Colonial people were comfortable with previous colonial people so people migrated there for work

Topic 7: resistance to power structures

Ghandi: became leader by 1921. Homespun movement, refused to wear western outfits, salt MArch against british salt monopoly, harvested own salt as British said this was illegal. He was arrested. They gained independence from Britain.

-MLK: Montgomery boycott, ideas from Ghandi→ secure rights for equality for blacks

-MAndela: Apartheid→ led blacks against this with boycotts plus strikes, then used violence after Sharpeville massacre.

Topic 8: The End of the Cold War (1971)

  1. Advancements in the US

-Shoot down from space, detected nuclear weapons.