Unit 7.1: Shifts in State Power (1900-Present)

Introduction to State Power Shifts

  • Focus on global changes from 1900 to present
  • Emphasis on the decline of major empires and the birth of new states

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

  • Nicknamed the "sick man of Europe" during the late 19th century
  • Attempted reforms (Tanzimat) for defensive industrialization were insufficient
  • Young Ottomans: Educated in Western ideas, called for political changes
    • Initiated a parliament and constitution with some sultan agreement
  • Sultan reverted to authoritarian rule due to war threats from Russia
  • Young Turks: Emerged in response, seeking extensive modernization
    • Vision of a Turkic Ottoman state, alienating ethnic minorities (e.g., Arabs)
  • 1908: Young Turks overthrew the Sultan; implemented reforms like:
    • Secularization of education and law
    • Political elections
    • Turkish as the official language
  • Post World War I led to the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire into separate states

Decline of the Russian Empire

  • Progress made in industrialization under Czars (notably Alexander II and Nicholas II)
  • Rising middle class resentment towards authoritarian policies
  • 1905 Russian Revolution: Result of widespread grievances
    • Czar Nicholas II suppressed the revolution but made minimal concessions (constitution, labor unions)
  • Continued tensions led to the 1917 Russian Revolution
    • Led by Vladimir Lenin and Bolsheviks
    • Successful overthrow, establishment of a communist state
    • Birth of the Soviet Union

Collapse of Qing China

  • Suffered from internal strife (Taiping Rebellion) and external pressures (Opium Wars, Sino-Japanese War)
    • Resulted in population loss and economic hardship
  • Boxer Rebellion: Nationalist insurrection against Qing; foreign powers intervened
    • Further weakened Qing authority, imposed demands
  • Western educated Sun Yat-sen led a revolutionary movement, resulting in:
    • Abdication of the Qing emperor
    • Establishment of a provisional government
  • Power struggles led to civil wars, ultimately resulting in:
    • The rise of Mao Zedong and the establishment of a communist state

The Mexican Revolution

  • Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz led to widespread discontent
  • Political rival Francisco Madero elected in 1910 but assassinated in 1913
  • Prolonged civil war involving revolutionary leaders like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata
  • 1917 Revolution resulted in:
    • Creation of a new republic with a new constitution
    • Key reforms included:
    • Universal male suffrage
    • Minimum wages
    • Separation of church from state
  • Unlike the Russian and Chinese revolutions, primarily confined to Mexico with limited international impact