7.1 Shifting Power
Shifting Power
Key Quote
"I shall never, under any circumstances, agree to a representative form of government because I consider it harmful to the people whom God has entrusted to my care."— Russian Tsar Nicholas II (1905)
Essential Question
How did internal and external factors contribute to change in various states after 1900?
Overview
Early 1900s were marked by significant rebellions against authoritarian regimes in Russia, China, and Mexico, resulting in revolutionary changes that challenged existing orders and led to the emergence of new political philosophies.
Revolution in Russia
Internal Challenges
Russia lagged behind Europe, the US, and Japan in economic power.
Lack of political and economic reforms hindered development:
Slow expansion of education and infrastructure.
Government resistance to civil liberties and reform.
External Challenges
Military failures diminished international standing:
Lost the Crimean War (1853-1856) to the Ottoman Empire.
Lost the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905).
Key Events Leading to Revolution
Bloody Sunday (1905): Peaceful protest for reforms turned deadly, killing about 1,300.
Revolution of 1905: Strikes and protests escalated, leading to thousands killed or exiled.
World War I: Russia's poor military performance highlighted internal weaknesses.
Bolshevik Revolution
In fall of 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, established a communist government after seizing power.
Aimed for collective ownership and distribution of resources.
Upheaval in China
Internal Challenges
Ethnic tension between Manchus and Han Chinese undermined governance.
Rapid population growth led to famine risks and low government revenues.
External Challenges
China faced increasing pressure from European industrialization.
Qing Dynasty's inability to adapt led to loss of legitimacy.
Chinese Republic
Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing in 1911, promoting principles of Democracy, Nationalism, and Livelihood.
Political instability followed, with warlords challenging central authority.
Ottoman Empire and Turkish Nationalism
Decline of the Empire
By the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire struggled with economic decline and foreign influence.
Emergence of the Young Turks advocating for reform and nationalism.
World War I and Aftermath
Allied powers dismantled the empire post-war, establishing the Republic of Turkey in 1923, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Atatürk's Reforms
Introduced secularism, public education, and rights for women while maintaining authoritarian rule.
Power Shifts in Mexico
Dictatorship and Revolution
Porfirio Díaz's regime characterized by stability but heavy foreign control and wealth disparity.
Sparked the Mexican Revolution in 1910 following the jailing of Francisco Madero.
Outcomes of the Revolution
Political violence led to around 2 million deaths; however, it resulted in:
New Constitution (1917) establishing land reform, suffrage, and education.
Formation of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1929, dominating Mexican politics until 2000.
Key Terms by Theme
Culture
Ethnic Conflict: Turkification
Government: Politics
Bolshevik, communists, Young Turks, Mexican Revolution, Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
Government: Leaders
Sun Yat-sen, Kemal Atatürk, Porfirio Díaz, Francisco Madero, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, Emiliano Zapata
Early 20th Century Revolutions
Causes and Effects of Mexico’s Early 20th Century Revolution
Causes:
Dictatorship under Porfirio Díaz characterized by stability, heavy foreign control, and wealth disparity.
Sparked by the jailing of Francisco Madero, which ignited widespread discontent.
Effects:
Resulted in political violence, leading to around 2 million deaths.
New Constitution (1917) established land reform, suffrage, and education.
Formation of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1929, which dominated Mexican politics until 2000.
Causes and Effects of China’s Early 20th Century Revolution
Causes:
Ethnic tension between Manchus and Han Chinese undermined governance.
Rapid population growth led to famine risks and low government revenues.
Qing Dynasty's inability to adapt to European industrial pressures and internal strife.
Effects:
The overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 by Sun Yat-sen, who promoted Democracy, Nationalism, and Livelihood principles.
Instability following the revolution, with warlords challenging central authority and a lack of unified government.
Compare and Contrast the Chinese and Mexican Revolutions in the Early 20th Century
Similarities:
Both revolutions were fueled by dissatisfaction with authoritarian regimes and economic disparities.
Each revolution led to a significant loss of life and political violence.
Differences:
The Mexican Revolution was primarily a response to a dictatorship focused on foreign control, while China’s revolution addressed ethnic tensions and traditional governance issues.
Mexico established a constitutional government with formal political parties, whereas China faced ongoing political instability and fragmented control post-revolution.
How the Ottoman Empire Fell and the Establishment of a New Nation
The Ottoman Empire fell due to economic decline, widespread foreign influence, and the emergence of the Young Turks advocating for reform and nationalism.
Post-World War I, the Allied powers dismantled the empire, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who introduced significant reforms.
How the Tsarist Government Fell and What Replaced It
The Tsarist government fell due to internal challenges, such as economic backwardness and military failures, exacerbated by events like Bloody Sunday and World War I.
The Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 replaced the Tsarist regime with a communist government led by Vladimir Lenin, aiming for collective ownership and redistribution of resources.