The SHIFTING of STATE Power After 1900

Global Shifts in State Power (1900–Present)

Introduction

• The 20th century marked significant shifts in global power.

• Key Themes: Decline of empires, rise of new states, world wars, economic depressions, and decolonization movements.

1. Decline of the Ottoman Empire

• Nicknamed the "Sick Man of Europe" in the 19th century due to stagnation and decline.

• Tanzimat Reforms: Attempted industrialization and modernization but failed to reverse decline.

• Young Ottomans: Advocated for political change, influenced by Western ideas. Briefly succeeded in establishing a parliament and constitution but faced repression.

• Young Turks (1908):

  • Overthrew the Sultan and implemented reforms, including:

    • Secularizing schools and law codes.

    • Introducing elections.

    • Imposing Turkish as the official language.

  • Nationalist policies alienated ethnic minorities (e.g., Arabs), leading to internal fractures.

• Post-WWI: Ottoman Empire dissolved, with territories divided by European powers.

2. Decline of the Russian Empire

• Late 19th century: Industrialization under Tsar Alexander II and Nicholas II.

• Grievances arose from:

  • Middle class resenting authoritarian policies.

  • Working class suffering under harsh industrial conditions.

• 1905 Russian Revolution:

  • Prompted by worker and middle-class discontent.

  • Resulted in temporary reforms: constitution, labor unions, political parties.

  • Tsar Nicholas II later ignored reforms, maintaining authoritarian rule.

• World War I: Exacerbated internal tensions.

• 1917 Russian Revolution:

  • Led by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

  • Overthrew the Tsar and established the Soviet Union, a communist state.

3. Decline of the Qing Dynasty in China

• 19th Century Challenges:

  • Internal: Taiping Rebellion (devastated population and economy).

  • External: Defeats in Opium Wars (to Western powers) and Sino-Japanese War (to Japan).

• Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901):

  • Anti-foreign uprising against Qing rule.

  • Suppressed by foreign powers (Britain, France, Japan), who imposed further demands on China.

• Fall of the Qing:

  • Led by Sun Yat-sen, advocating nationalism and modernization.

  • 1912: Qing Emperor abdicated, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.

  • Provisional government under Sun Yat-sen was short-lived; power struggles ensued.

  • Later emergence of a communist state under Mao Zedong (covered in later units).

4. Mexican Revolution (1910–1917)

• Cause: Dictatorial rule of Porfirio Díaz angered various social classes.

• Key Events:

  • Díaz overthrown; Francisco Madero elected in 1910 but assassinated in 1912.

  • Civil War followed, with leaders like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata leading peasant armies but failing to seize power.

• Outcome:

  • Revolution ended in 1917 with a new constitution addressing key grievances:

    • Universal male suffrage.

    • Minimum wages for workers.

    • Separation of the Catholic Church from political and economic power.

• Largely a domestic revolution with limited international impact.

Summary

• The early 20th century was marked by the collapse of major empires:

  • Ottoman, Russian, Qing, and Mexican regimes gave way to new political systems.

• These shifts were driven by nationalism, economic challenges, and social movements.

Key Events Leading to Revolution in Russia