7.1-7.3

Shifting Power

  • Quote: Russian Tsar Nicholas II (1905) stated his unwillingness to agree to a representative form of government, believing it harmful to those under his care.

  • Essential Question: How did internal and external factors contribute to change in various states after 1900?

General Overview

  • The early 20th century saw intense rebellion against authoritarian governments, particularly in Russia, China, and Mexico.

  • These rebellions led to revolutions that transformed political and social orders, establishing new political philosophies.

  • Established empires faced collapse due to both internal resistance and external pressures, leading to a newly defined global order by century's end.

Revolution in Russia

  • Context: By the early 20th century, Russia lagged in wealth and power compared to Europe, the United States, and Japan.

  • Internal Challenges:

    • Economic Stagnation: Lack of government promotion for economic growth; slow expansion of peasant education, transportation infrastructure, and support for entrepreneurs.

    • Political Intransigence: The tsarist regime resisted calls for political reform, civil liberties, and broader government participation.

  • Consequences of Internal Issues:

    • Weakened military and international standing:

    • Crimean War (1853-1856): Defeated by the Ottoman Empire, aided by Britain and France.

    • Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Loss in competition for influence in East Asia, marking the first time an Asian power defeated a European one.

Key Events Leading to Revolution in Russia

  • Bloody Sunday (January 22, 1905):

    • A peaceful petition by thousands of workers for better conditions was met with violence; approximately 1,300 marchers were killed.

  • Revolution of 1905:

    • Triggered strikes with 400,000 workers refusing to work; response from the tsar was violent.

  • World War I:

    • Germany's declaration of war on Russia in 1914 revealed poor military preparation, leading to severe suffering among civilians from famine.

  • Bolshevik Revolution (Fall 1917):

    • Led by Vladimir Lenin, this group of revolutionary workers seized power, abolishing private trade and redistributing resources towards workers.

Upheaval in China

  • Context: Challenges led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, transitioning to a republic under Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

  • Internal Challenges:

    • Ethnic Tension: Predominance of Han ethnic group tensions with Qing, leading to loyalty issues.

    • Famine and Agricultural Issues: Population growth outpaced food production stability, resulting in vulnerability to disasters.

    • Low Government Revenue: Outdated taxation system hampered infrastructure maintenance and economic development.

  • External Challenges:

    • The Qing Dynasty faced pressure from European powers, yet attempted to rally support against foreign influence.

Transition to the Republic

  • Sun Yat-sen's Principles:

    • Democracy: Belief in effective governance by qualified individuals, not universal sovereignty.

    • Nationalism: Advocacy for loyalty towards central authority.

    • Livelihood: Aimed for equitable wealth distribution and an end to economic exploitation.

  • Legacy of Sun Yat-sen:

    • Warlord control diminished his military effectiveness; his party, the Kuomintang, later played significant roles in Chinese politics.

Self-Determination in the Ottoman Empire

  • Context: Decline of the Ottoman Empire by the start of the 20th century, reliant on trade without agricultural strength.

  • Young Turks Movement:

    • Advocated for constitutional reform and Iran-like Turkification, blending national identity with Islamic culture.

  • Economic Resentment: Financial dependence and unfavorable trade terms drew Turkey closer to Germany in World War I.

End of the Ottoman Empire

  • Post-War Scenario:

    • Following defeat in WWI, the empire disintegrated. The Turkish Republic was established under Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk), focusing on secular reforms, women's suffrage, and Westernization.

Power Shifts in Mexico

  • Context: Dictatorial rule of Porfirio Díaz gave way to rebellion sparked by the jailing of opposition politician Francisco Madero.

  • Mexican Revolution (1910):

    • Madero organized opposition from Texas, leading to Díaz's exile.

    • Key revolutionary figures included Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata who pushed for land reforms.

    • Political instability persisted until the 1920s, culminating in foundational changes:

    • New constitution of 1917 promoting land redistribution, suffrage, and education.

    • Formation of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1929, influencing Mexican politics for decades.

Causes of World War I

  • Quote: Otto von Bismarck warned of foolishness igniting war in the Balkans (1888).

  • Context: A convergence of social, political, and military factors set the stage for the war:

    • Militarism: Aggressive military build-ups and nationalistic pride in military prowess.

    • Alliances: Secrets pacts led to entanglement, with nations obliged to support allied countries.

    • Imperialism: Competition for colonies intensified rivalries, shifting attention to conflicts over territory.

    • Nationalism: Ethnic groups sought independence and resented the imperial domination of multi-ethnic empires.

Immediate Causes of War

  • Assassination: Gavrilo Princip's assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a series of declarations of war amongst aligned nations.

Long-Term Implications of WWI

  • The war dismantled major empires, redrew borders, and laid groundwork for future conflicts, such as WWII.

  • Resentment over Treaty of Versailles terms, particularly regarding Germany's punishment, fostered conditions for future conflict and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

Key Terms by Theme

  • Politics: Bolshevik, Young Turks, Mexican Revolution

  • Key Leaders: Sun Yat-sen, Atatürk, Porfirio Díaz

  • Wars and Alliances: Triple Entente, Central Powers, Great War

  • Ideologies and Impact: Self-determination, total war, reparations, League of Nations

  • Consequences: Use of tanks, machine guns, and trench warfare.

Conclusion: This period marked profound transitions in governance and power structures across multiple nations, leading to dramatic shifts in global politics throughout the 20th century.