Causes of World War I

Political Causes

• Germany abandoned the policy of balance between the great powers (Realpolitik) after Bismarck's resignation.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed to seize political and economic leadership in Europe from Britain, leading to an aggressive and dangerous foreign policy.
• Formation of two rival power blocs:
  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (1882)
  • Triple Entente: France, Britain, and Russia (1907)
• "Peace Navy" (1905-1914): Major powers prepared for war, significantly increasing spending on weapons.

Economic Causes

• Germany became a huge industrial power after 1871.
• Great Britain saw Germany as a formidable commercial rival.

Territorial Causes

• 1st Moroccan Crisis (1905-1906): Germany opposed France's occupation of

Second Spanish Republic Reforms and Challenges

Anti-Clerical Sentiment

The strong anti-clerical sentiment that prevailed in some sections of Spanish society led to a major wave of physical attacks on the Church, resulting in the burning of convents and parishes. While the issue of religious liberty was debated within the framework of the Constitution, the attacks were largely a popular reaction to the excessive power hitherto exercised by the Church.

Military Reform Efforts

Another important issue was the military reform carried out by Manuel Azaña. Among other things, it urged the withdrawal of military personnel who did not swear allegiance to the Republic, promoted the motorization of the cavalry, and ordered the closing of the Military Academy... Continue reading "Second Spanish Republic: Reforms & Events" »

World War I: Origins, Conflict, and Aftermath

Key Factors Leading to World War I

Territorial Disputes and Nationalism

The German annexation of Alsace and Lorraine remained a significant point of conflict. Poland was another source of tension, as it was divided among three empires: its western part belonged to the German Reich, its eastern part to the Russian Empire, and the Galicia region was incorporated into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The existence of multiple nationalities within the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a further source of internal problems and instability. Furthermore, Russia's expansionist policy in the Balkans led to numerous regional conflicts.

Military Buildup and Alliances

Various European states maintained an aggressive military... Continue reading "World War I: Causes, Key Events, and Lasting Impact" »

British Colonial Ambitions in Africa

The United Kingdom sought the union of its colonies along a line from Egypt to South Africa, known historically as the Cairo-Cape Route. This ambition obviously clashed with the interests of other powers.

Other British provinces included:

• Sierra Leone
• Gold Coast
• Nigeria
• The coast of Zanzibar
• British Somaliland (near the exit of the Red Sea)

Key Colonial Conflicts and Crises

Colonial conflicts erupted, particularly around the year 1898. These conflicts contributed to a sense of collective depression in certain nations.

The most important conflicts include:

Fashoda Incident (1898)

A confrontation between France and the United Kingdom occurred in Fashoda (in present-day Sudan) because the colonial interests of both countries... Continue reading "British Colonial Expansion in Africa and Imperial Causes" »

The Revolt of the Comuneros

The cities were discontented due to new taxes, while the nobility resented the king's appointment of foreigners to crucial government positions. The cities, known as comunidades de villa y tierra, initiated the Revolt of the Comuneros, initially gaining support from the nobles.

The rebels achieved significant success during the initial months of the revolt. However, the king later reached an agreement with the Castilian nobles, and together they confronted the rebels. The decisive battle was fought in Villalar, where the king emerged victorious. Juan de Padilla, Juan Bravo, and Francisco Maldonado, the prominent leaders of the revolt, were subsequently executed.

This revolt profoundly altered Charles V's approach to... Continue reading "Habsburg Spain: Charles V to Philip II's Reign" »

World War I

Causes of World War I

Territorial Conflicts

France sought to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine from Germany. Austria-Hungary and Russia both aimed to expand their influence in the Balkans. Italy desired Trento and Istria, territories held by Austria-Hungary.

Nationalist Conflicts

Tensions arose from the diverse nationalities within large empires, particularly in the Balkans.

Economic Rivalries

Germany's industrial growth posed a threat to the British and French economies, further fueled by competition in colonial expansion.

Arms Race and Alliances

An arms race and the formation of two alliance systems—the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente—contributed to the escalating tensions.

Key Stages of World War I

The War of Movement (1914)

Germany's... Continue reading "World War I: Causes, Key Stages, and Impact" »

The Spanish Civil War: Origins and Outbreak

From the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic and the victory of the Popular Front, a process of revolution had begun, threatening the interests and privileges of the ruling classes.

On July 18, 1936, a sector of the army carried out a military coup. Popular mobilization failed to stop it, and the coup escalated into a full-scale civil war.

Key Figures and Initial Uprising

• General Emilio Mola
• General José Sanjurjo
• General Francisco Franco

The uprising began in Melilla, where the rebels quickly seized power throughout Moroccan territory. General Franco took command there.

General Sanjurjo, who was initially designated to lead the uprising, tragically died in a plane crash while returning to Spain.... Continue reading "Spanish Civil War: Origins, Factions, & Global Impact" »

The Franco regime was a political ideology and social movement that propped up the dictatorship that emerged in Spain. This regime was based on the need for right-wing military rebels to create a unified command and concentrate all powers in one person. The inspiring power system was based on authoritarianism, the concentration of powers in the dictator, and anti-parliamentarism. It created a single party controlled by the state structure.

Franco Regime Stages

The Franco regime is divided into two main stages: the period of autarky, where the government sought self-sufficiency due to the crisis following the civil war, and the second period of stabilization and economic growth. A final crisis period also occurred, marked by changes in support... Continue reading "Franco Regime: Authoritarianism and Economic Stages in Spain" »

Presidential System

Originating from limited monarchies, where the monarch's power is constrained by objective rules, the presidential system maintains a similar structure.

To preserve the framework of a limited monarchy, the legislative and executive branches operate independently, without any hierarchical dependencies. Each branch fulfills its constitutional role without needing to consider the other.

Features

• Monistic Executive Power: The president, directly elected by the people, embodies both the head of state and government. They appoint and dismiss cabinet members, known as secretaries.
• Absence of a Confidence Relationship: The president's direct popular legitimacy eliminates the need for a vote of confidence or censure motion from parliament.

John Maynard Keynes

British economist. Solution to economic depression, government spending to raise the economy. His ideas have profoundly affected the theory of modern macroeconomics policies.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of Germany in WWII. "Mein Kampf" argues that Germans deserve living space. Advocated for the elimination of Jewish people.

Erich Maria Remarque

German author who wrote "All Quiet on the Western Front."

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis. Focused on motivation and the subconscious.

Benito Mussolini

Leader of Italy. Founder of Italian Fascism. Military dictator who sought to create an empire like Rome. Close to the Nazi regime in Germany.

John Steinbeck

American author. Wrote about the suffering of