19th & 20th Century Europe: Colonialism, World Wars, and Russian Revolution

Colonial Conquest of Africa

19th-century European industrialization created a need for raw materials and markets for manufactured goods in Africa. Economic motivation was important in colonization, as was politics, including nationalism in Europe. Competition between European nations (Britain, France, Germany) caused the colonization of Africa in just 25 years. Europeans viewed themselves as a more advanced civilization. They colonized in two ways: 1. treaties with African leaders 2. military force.

New Borders for Africa

Imposed by Europeans with no attention to existing political organizations, dividing friends and uniting enemies.

World War I (1914)

Causes

Assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke triggered the outbreak of WWI.

Alliances

Agreements between two or more countries to provide help. Multiple alliances meant some countries had no option but to declare war because of their allies.

• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
• Triple Entente: France, Britain, Russia

Imperialism

A country takes over new lands and makes them subject to its rule. The British Empire spanned five continents; the French Empire included large areas of Africa. Germany was angry because it only controlled a small part of Africa.

Militarism

The army and military forces are given a high profile by the government. Arms races occurred between countries; France and Germany doubled their military size. Competition between Britain and Germany for mastery of the seas intensified.

Nationalism

Being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one's country. Germany and Italy were divided and then re-unified. France was angry because Germany had Alsace.

Crises

Morocco belonged to France, but the Moroccan Crisis Committee (MCC) wanted independence, supported by Germany. In the Bosnian crisis, Austria-Hungary and Serbia both wanted Bosnia, but only Austria-Hungary got it, causing high tension.

Treaty of Versailles

• France: Revenge
• Britain: Worried
• US: Peace

Germany agreed to:

1. Accept the new map of Europe
2. Accept decisions by the new League of Nations
3. Limit the size of its army and navy
4. Give up its empire
5. Accept blame for the war and pay reparations

The treaty was a compromise between all the victorious nations. Germans were angry at their treatment. The treaty is considered a cause of World War II. Reparations impoverished every German.

Revolution in Russia

Russia was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II, an autocrat. Those against the government were imprisoned. In 1905, there was a revolution against the Tsar's rule. To keep his position, he was forced to accept a parliament, but no changes were made, and he sent away the opposition. In 1914, Nicholas was blamed for defeats against Germany.

Communism

Karl Marx said industrialization created a middle class (rich) and workers (slaves). Workers should rebel and take power. Nothing would be private; everything would be common. Bolsheviks believed the royals should be overthrown and communism introduced. Leader Lenin was forced to leave Russia but continued leading.

February Revolution

People, soldiers, and politicians opposed the Tsar. The Tsar was ousted. New power went to the Soviets.

October Revolution

A new offensive against Germany was launched. Soldiers were deserting. Lenin returned, angered. Stalin supported Lenin after betraying the government. In 1917, Russia withdrew from the war. The royal family was murdered.

Civil War

Bolsheviks (Reds) fought against the opposition (Whites). The US, France, and Britain supported the Whites, but the Reds won.

Aftermath

La pugna por el poder (The Struggle for Power)

Lenin died when the decision of how to proceed was being made. Proposals divided the party leaders. Trotsky wanted to expand the revolution to other countries. Stalin wanted socialism in one country, transforming the USSR into a great power (he won).

Stalinism

Collectivist economy, aiming to make the USSR a great industrial power. Private property was prohibited, priority was given to heavy industry, and the economy was state-directed. Result: rapid industrialization, agriculture lagged, neglect of consumer goods production, needs were left unattended. Stalin established a dictatorship with a cult of personality; opposition was deemed enemies of socialism.