3 Major Patterns Incomplete recovery of W. Europe after
WWI- economies and politics in disarray Growing industrial strength of the U.S. and
Japan Results of major revolutions
Western Europe after the War Mid-1920s a period of stability and calm Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 outlawed war
forever Political calm- fewer extremist groups and
polarization of existing politics Cultural creativity (Cubist movement in art-
Picasso) Mass consumption up Women gain suffrage (U.S., Britain, Germany)
Fascism in Italy 1919 Benito Mussolini formed “union for struggle” Italians upset at terms at Versailles (they gained
little) Fascism promoted the building of a strong state
under a strong leader and the need for an aggressive, nationalist foreign policy
1922 Italian king asked Mussolini to form a new government
1926 suspended elections and began propaganda campaign about the glories of conquest
New Nations of East Central Europe Modeled politics after the west Nationalist assignment Primarily agrarian societies that wouldn’t
undertake serious land reform
Industrial Societies Outside Europe 1921 imperial conference determined that
self-governing dominions (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) considered coequals
1926 resolution defined them as autonomous communities
Canada developed vibrant economy, become destination for immigrants
Rise of America U.S. tradition of isolationism Communist scare Presence in world economics- U.S. corporations
grew rapidly in the 1920s partly due to organization and innovation of U.S. businesses
Exported U.S. culture- first mass-consumer society led to marketing and advertising developments. Dance, music, fashion, movies
Japan Japan’s commitment to parliamentary democracy
challenged after the war (Japan had a parliament modeled on the German parliament). Experimented with liberal dem. All adult males got suffrage.
Military leaders tried to take a greater role at expense of civilians and politicians
Economy- agricultural production increased. 1905-1918 industrial boom- increased population
Consumer culture emerged Education advanced Vulnerable economy because still importing a lot
Mexican Revolution- Causes Porfirio Diaz (in power since 1786)
increased the economy but with foreign investment, thus upsetting the peasantry
Dictator who stifled dissent Peasants want political and land reform Education Nationalism
Players in the Revolution 1910- Diaz is open to allowing someone to take over but
then rigs the election Francisco Madero called for revolt and assumes leadership Pancho Villa led rebellion in the north Emilio Zapata led a peasant-based guerilla movement for
“Land and Liberty” General Huerta tried to impose a Diaz-type government Leadership went back and forth and eventually Obregon
elected president in 1920
End of the Mexican Revolution 1917 constitution promised land reform, limited
foreign ownership of key resources and guaranteed the rights of workers
One-party system created with PRI dominating it (Party of Industrial Revolution)
PRI dominated Mexican politics but incorporated many groups and had some limits with the new term limits on the presidency
Russian Revolution: The Beginning March 1917 strikes and food riots break
out in St. Petersburg spurred by wartime misery, food shortages, incomplete rural reform, and unresponsive political system
Council of workers (soviet) took over Tsar abdicated
Liberal Government? Not for us! Brief experiment with liberal government
under Alexander Kerensky Slow reform led to a second revolution in
November which brought the radical Bolshevik to power under Lenin
Lenin Treaty of Brest-Litovsk angered Russians End of WWI allowed Lenin to consolidate
power Created Council of People Commissars Shut down parliament and the Communist
Party would rule Russia until 1989 1918-1921 Civil war
Lenin’s Reforms Red Army under Leon Trotsky 1921 New Economic Policy, which reduced
economic disarray and granted some freedom to small business owners
1923 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Supreme Soviet – parliament New groups have political voice: youth, women,
workers 1924 Lenin died leaving leadership crisis
Stalin: “Steel” Represented nationalist version of
communism Killed rivals Collectivization Aristocratic class gone
China: Crisis after the Qing 1912 fall of the Qing dynasty Military commanders competed for power
for next 30 years with secret societies, nationalist groups, and the Japanese
1912 Sun Yat-sen, head of revolutionary alliance, resigned as president and Yuan Shikai took over
1916 Yuan Shikai forced to resign
Change is coming…. May 4, 1919- mass demonstrations by
students and nationalist politicians over Versailles outcome. This leads to May Fourth Movement, which tried to make China a liberal democracy
Unsuccessful movement because China ruled by warlords
Alternative? 1920s radical solution needed and emerged
as part of the nationalist movement Li Dazhao- altered communist ideology to
fit China- peasants were the drivers of change
1921 communist party born at a meeting in Shanghai
Sun Yat-sen Returns 1919 Sun Yat-sen returned to China to lead
the Nationalist party 1924 Whampoa Military Academy
produced the military element necessary to combat the warlords
Chiang Kai-shek emerged from this 1925 Sun Yat-sen died and Kai-shek
assumed power