Heimler's History: Unit 7, Topic 1 - Global Conflict After 1900

Overview

• Focus on global conflicts after 1900
• Examination of two major global conflicts, their causes, and effects
• Exploration of political and ideological upheavals globally in early 20th century

New Global Order by 20th Century

• Major revolutions: Russia, China, Ottoman Empire, Mexico

Russian Revolution

• Internal Issues:
  • Russia lagged behind Europe, US, Japan in wealth and power
  • Sluggish economic growth due to lack of infrastructure and limited voting rights/education
  • Bloody Sunday Massacre (1905) as a response to protests
• External Issues:
  • Loss in Crimea War (1856) to the Ottomans
  • Loss to Japan (1905) in Russo-Japanese War due to Japan's industrial/military strength
• Bolshevik Revolution (1917)
  • Led by Vladimir Lenin representing the working class
  • Establishment of a communist government
  • Abolition of free trade, nationalization of factories, redistribution of crops
  • Western unease: Rise of communism vs democracy

Chinese Revolution

• Internal Issues:
  • Ethnic tension: Qing Dynasty (Manchurian) vs Han (native Chinese)
  • Threat of famine due to population growth and inadequate food production
  • Low tax revenue hindering infrastructure
• External Issues:
  • Economic decline due to forced free trade and foreign domination
• Revolution led by Sun Yat-Sen (1911)
  • Overthrow of Qing Dynasty
  • Upholding of Confucian values but seeking wealth distribution and a form of democracy
  • Power handed over to military leaders after unsuccessful consolidation

Ottoman Empire

• Nicknamed "the sick man of Europe"
• Problems:
  • Military defeats and economic decline
  • Incomplete modernization reforms (Tanizmat)
• Rise of Young Turks:
  • Advocacy for constitutional government and Turkification
  • Conflict with Armenian Christians
  • Economic complaints against European influence
  • Siding with Germany in WWI
• Establishment of Republic of Turkey (1923) under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
  • Westernization and secularization

Mexican Revolution

• Under Porfirio Diaz's authoritarian rule
  • Foreign control of resources and wealth inequality
  • 1% ownership of 90% of land
• Revolution sparked by imprisonment of Fransisco Madero (1910)
  • Madero's escape and opposition led to Diaz's exile
• New Constitution (1917)
  • Land redistribution, voting rights for all men, public education

Conclusion

• Key developments in early 20th-century global conflicts
• Encouragement to join Heimler's educational journey