7.1 - Shifting Power

Internal Problems

• Economic Stagnation: Unlike other industrializing states, Russia was slow to promote economic growth.

  • Limited expansion of education for peasants.

  • Poor development of roads and transportation networks.

  • Lack of support for entrepreneurs with loans and contracts.

• Political Resistance: The tsarist government resisted political reform, civil liberties, and broader citizen participation in government.

External Problems

• Weak Military: Without a strong economic base, Russia struggled in international conflicts.

  • Lost the Crimean War (1853–1856) against the Ottoman Empire, supported by Great Britain and France.

  • Lost the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) over influence in East Asia.

The Bolshevik Revolution

In the fall of 1917, the Bolsheviks, representing the revolutionary working class under Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established a communist government.

• Communist Beliefs: Advocated for workers owning the means of production, leading to collective prosperity and a just society.

• Government Actions:

  • Abolished private trade.

  • Distributed peasants' crops to feed urban workers.

  • Took over ownership of factories and heavy industries.

Key Events Leading to Revolution in Russia

Internal

• Bloody Sunday (January 22, 1905): Thousands of workers marched peacefully to petition the tsar for better working conditions, higher wages, and universal suffrage. Tsar's troops and police began shooting, killing about 1,300 marchers.

• Revolution of 1905: In response to Bloody Sunday, 400,000 workers went on strike. The tsar attempted to appease protesters, but thousands of workers were killed, injured, or exiled.

External

• Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905): Both Russia and Japan sought influence in Korea and Manchuria. Japan won, marking the first modern defeat of a European power by an East Asian state.

• World War I: Germany declared war on Russia in 1914, revealing Russia's poorly trained and armed troops. Civilians suffered extreme food shortages.

Global Impact

The Bolsheviks' success in taking power was the first example of communists running a large country, causing concern among capitalist nations worldwide. This conflict between communism and capitalism would shape world affairs throughout the 20th century.

Collapse of the Qing Dynasty

Internal Challenges

• Ethnic Tension: The Manchu-led Qing Dynasty faced opposition from the Han majority and other ethnic groups.

• Famine: Rapid population growth and limited farmland led to food shortages.

• Low Government Revenues: An outdated tax system led to insufficient funds for infrastructure.

External Challenges

• Industrialization Threat: European industrialization posed a growing threat to China.

• Restrictive Trade Policies: China's trade restrictions led to conflicts with European powers.

Chinese Republic

• 1911 Revolution: Overthrew the Qing Dynasty, led by Sun Yat-sen.

• Sun Yat-sen's Principles:

  • Democracy: Sovereignty for capable citizens.

  • Nationalism: Loyalty to central authority.

  • Livelihood: End unequal wealth distribution.

Sun Yat-sen’s Legacy

• Limited Power: Lacked military strength to control China, which was dominated by warlords.

• Kuomintang: The Nationalist Party later regained power but lost to the Communists in the civil war.

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

• Economic Decline: Relied mainly on trade as the agricultural economy waned.

• Young Turks: Advocated for a constitution and Turkification, alienating non-Turkish ethnic groups like Armenians.

• Anti-European Sentiment: Resented European economic influence and trade privileges, leading to an alliance with Germany in World War I.

Rise of Atatürk

• Turkish National Movement: Led by Mustafa Kemal, defeated occupying forces and established the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

• Reforms: Modernized Turkey, creating a secular nation with public education, abolished polygyny, and expanded women's suffrage.

• Leadership Style: Ruled as a dictator for 15 years until his death in 1938.

Power Shifts in Mexico

Dictatorship under Porfirio Díaz

• Foreign Control: Allowed foreign investors to control resources, leading to economic inequality.

• Land Distribution: The wealthiest 1% controlled 90% of the land.

Mexican Revolution

• Catalyst: Díaz jailed opposition candidate Francisco Madero, sparking the revolution.

• Revolutionary Leaders: Madero, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata led forces against Díaz.

• Outcomes:

  • New Constitution (1917): Promoted land redistribution, universal suffrage, and public education.

  • Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI): Formed in 1929, dominated Mexican politics until 2000.