Identify And Assert The Significance Of Twelve (12) Of The ✓ Solved

IDENTIFY AND ASSERT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TWELVE (12) OF THE

Identify and assert the significance of twelve (12) of the thirty (30) items below. In doing so, you must choose three (3) items of significance from each of the four chapter groups to make up the twelve:

Chapters 18-21: Revolution of 1905; Dreyfus Affair; Second Industrial Revolution; Josephine Butler; British Labour Party; Sigmund Freud; expressionism; "New" Imperialism; Social Darwinism.

Chapters 22: Militarism; Bosnian Crisis; von Schlieffen Plan; Battle of Verdun; Lusitania; War Socialism; The Treaty of Versailles.

Chapters 23: Bolsheviks; The April Theses; Red Guards; October Revolution; Leon Trotsky; Russian Civil War; New Economic Policy.

Chapters 24: German Social Democratic Party; "war guilt clause"; The Ruhr Crisis and The Policy of Fulfillment; The March on Rome; The Lateran Accord; Ulysses; Bauhaus.

Also, pick a European nation after WWI and describe and analyze its political evolution during the 1920s. What forces for change did the war unleash that played out in the decade? Or, were the political practices in the "Twenties" underway before the war and accelerated by it? Provide four examples that explain the subject matter.

Paper For Above Instructions

The early 20th century was a period of profound transformation in Europe, marked by social, political, and technological upheavals. This paper will identify and assert the significance of twelve notable events and concepts from the prescribed chapters, specifically focusing on three key items from each of the four chapter groups. In addition, an analysis of the political evolution of a specific European nation after World War I will be provided, exploring the forces for change that the war unleashed and how they interacted with pre-existing political practices.

Chapter Group 18-21

1. Revolution of 1905

The Revolution of 1905 in Russia was a pivotal moment that highlighted the discontent of various social classes with the Tsarist regime. Sparked by the Russo-Japanese War and the infamous Bloody Sunday massacre in January 1905, the revolution showcased the growing demand for political reform and civil liberties. Although it did not achieve significant changes at the time, it laid the groundwork for the Russian Revolution of 1917 by exposing the weaknesses of autocracy and the need for reform (Pipes, 1990).

2. Dreyfus Affair

This political scandal in France involved the wrongful conviction of a Jewish army officer, Alfred Dreyfus, for treason. It revealed deep-seated anti-Semitism and divided French society, becoming a catalyst for discussions about justice and human rights. The Dreyfus Affair underscored issues of nationalism, identity, and the role of the military in politics, ultimately contributing to the establishment of the Jewish state idea and increasing secularism in French society (Schama, 2000).

3. Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution, characterized by advancements in technology and electricity, profoundly changed European economies and societies. Innovations such as steel production and the assembly line increased industrial productivity and transformed labor. This period also saw the rise of new social classes, the labor movement, and ultimately, the calls for political and social reforms, leading to the establishment of labor rights and social welfare systems (Rosenberg, 1982).

Chapter Group 22

4. Militarism

Militarism refers to the belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war. In the lead-up to World War I, militaristic policies led major powers to engage in an arms race and adopt military strategies that prepped them for conflict. Militarism significantly shaped the political landscape of early 20th-century Europe, as seen in the alliances formed prior to the war, which would have lasting implications for future conflicts (Herwig, 1997).

5. Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I but imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany. This treaty was highly controversial and is often cited as a contributing factor to the rise of extremist movements in Germany, including the Nazis. The treaty exemplifies how political decisions in the aftermath of war can have long-lasting ramifications on stability, identity, and national sentiment, leading to World War II (MacMillan, 2001).

6. Battle of Verdun

The Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and costliest battles of World War I, symbolized the horrors of trench warfare and the futility of the war. Its significance lies in its reflection of national pride and the impact of total war on soldiers and civilians alike. The battle represented the enduring human cost of warfare and shaped perceptions of military strategy and national resilience (Beckett, 2007).

Chapter Group 23

7. Bolsheviks

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, played a crucial role in the October Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the provisional government in Russia. Their rise to power marked a significant shift towards communism and radically transformed not only Russian society but had a lasting influence on revolutionary movements worldwide. Their ideology and approach to governance introduced new political frameworks that challenged existing norms (Fitzpatrick, 2008).

8. New Economic Policy (NEP)

The NEP was introduced by Lenin in 1921 as a temporary retreat from strict communist policies to revive the struggling Russian economy. It allowed for a degree of private enterprise and market mechanisms. This policy underscores the tensions within the Communist Party regarding economic management and highlights the pragmatic response to the failures of War Communism, assuring stability and a pivot toward rebuilding (Service, 2009).

9. Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War (1917-1923) was a multifaceted conflict between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks). This war solidified Bolshevik control over Russia and led to the establishment of a Soviet state. The brutal nature of the civil war and the resulting casualties significantly impacted Russian society and shaped future Soviet policies, emphasizing security and repression (Wood, 1991).

Chapter Group 24

10. German Social Democratic Party

The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) was crucial in shaping the political landscape of post-World War I Germany. As a major political force, the SPD advocated for social change and workers' rights, contributing to both the Weimar Republic's democratic establishments and the reactionary shifts that followed. The SPD illustrated the tensions between socialism and nationalism in Germany's troubled political landscape (Kershaw, 2008).

11. Ruhr Crisis

The Ruhr Crisis of 1923 arose when France occupied the Ruhr region in Germany due to non-payment of reparations. This event triggered hyperinflation and economic turmoil, illustrating the fragility of the Weimar Republic. The crisis emphasized the challenges of post-war reparations and contributed to political instability, paving the way for extremist movements to gain support (Berghahn, 2010).

12. The March on Rome

The March on Rome in 1922 was a key event that led to Mussolini's rise to power in Italy. This event underscored the effectiveness of fascist tactics in exploiting social unrest and political instability to establish authoritarian regimes. It illustrated the broader trend of fascism gaining traction in the interwar period, reflecting the political shifts and societal transformations in post-WWI Europe (Gentile, 2005).

Political Evolution in Weimar Germany

In analyzing Weimar Germany's political evolution during the 1920s, several forces come to light. The aftermath of World War I instigated demands for democratization and social reforms. The introduction of the Weimar Constitution in 1919 symbolized a commitment to democracy and civil rights, though political practices of pluralism and social programs were already becoming elements of the discourse during the war (Cohen, 1996).

Moreover, the economic instability, marked by reparations and hyperinflation, became significant forces for change. Social discontent fueled extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists, illustrating the volatile political landscape. The effect of the German Constitutional structure, combined with socio-economic challenges, heightened tensions and led to political fragmentation, culminating in an emergency state of governance by the latter part of the decade (Hobsbawm, 1994).

Thus, while some political practices were taking shape prior to the war, the conditions and upheavals unleashed by the conflict vividly accelerated these processes. Weimar Germany serves as a striking example of how war reshaped political trajectories, deeply impacting the future of Europe.

References

• Beckett, I. F. W. (2007). The Great War 1914-1918. Routledge.
• Berghahn, V. R. (2010). Germany and the Approach of War in 1914. Oxford University Press.
• Cohen, G. (1996). The Politics of the Weimar Republic. University of London Press.
• Fitzpatrick, S. (2008). The Russian Revolution. Oxford University Press.
• Gentile, E. (2005). The Sacralization of Politics in Fascist Italy. Harvard University Press.
• Herwig, H. H. (1997). The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918. The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge.
• Kershaw, I. (2008). Hitler, the Germans, and the Final Solution. Yale University Press.
• MacMillan, M. (2001). Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. Random House.
• Pipes, R. (1990). The Russian Revolution. Knopf.
• Rosenberg, N. (1982). The Economics of Technological Change. Basic Books.
• Service, R. (2009). Lenin: A Biography. Macmillan.
• Wood, E. A. (1991). The Baba and the Shark: Russian Civil War, 1917-1922. Twayne Publishers.