POWER Shifts After 1900 [AP World History] Unit 7 Topic 1 (7.1)

Summary

This video delves into the political and ideological upheavals that shaped the world in the early 20th century. It explores revolutions and transformations in Russia, China, the Ottoman Empire, and Mexico, highlighting the causes and impacts of each. The Russian Revolution led by Lenin brought communism to power, while China faced internal strife and external pressure before Sun Yat-Sen's revolution. The Ottoman Empire struggled with modernization, and in Mexico, the overthrow of dictator Porfirio Díaz resulted in significant reforms. These events set the stage for the global conflicts that would follow.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 20th century saw the establishment of a fundamentally new global order, with revolutions in Russia, China, the Ottoman Empire, and Mexico playing key roles.
• 😀 Russia's internal problems in the early 20th century included sluggish economic growth, lack of infrastructure, and political repression, exemplified by the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1905.
• 😀 Externally, Russia faced defeats in the Crimean War (1856) and Russo-Japanese War (1905), which further weakened the tsarist government.
• 😀 The 1917 Russian Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks, resulted in the establishment of a communist government that abolished free trade, nationalized industries, and redistributed land to peasants.
• 😀 China's internal struggles included ethnic tensions between the ruling Manchurian Qing Dynasty and the native Han population, as well as issues with famine and low tax revenue.
• 😀 Externally, China was economically dominated by foreign powers, contributing to its decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• 😀 Sun Yat-Sen led the 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty and sought to reform China, focusing on wealth redistribution and a more democratic system, though his vision was short-lived.
• 😀 The Ottoman Empire's decline in the early 20th century earned it the nickname 'the sick man of Europe,' due to military defeats, economic decline, and ineffective reforms.
• 😀 The Young Turks, a reformist group, advocated for a constitutional government and Turkification, which led to persecution of Armenians and greater tensions within the empire.
• 😀 The Republic of Turkey was established in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who pursued Westernization and secularism, aiming to transform Turkey into a modern nation-state.
• 😀 Mexico experienced significant social unrest under Porfirio Díaz, whose authoritarian rule and land inequality sparked the Mexican Revolution, culminating in the 1917 constitution that provided land redistribution, voting rights, and public education.

Q & A

What were the major internal problems faced by Russia at the beginning of the 20th century?

Russia's major internal problems included economic stagnation due to inadequate infrastructure, political repression, and a lack of education and voting rights for the majority of its population. These issues led to widespread discontent and unrest.

How did the Russian Revolution of 1917 impact the global political landscape?

The Russian Revolution led to the establishment of a communist government under Lenin and the Bolsheviks, which had a significant global impact. It introduced communism as a viable alternative to capitalism, shaking the Western powers and setting the stage for the ideological conflicts of the 20th century.

What external challenges did Russia face in the early 20th century?

Externally, Russia faced military defeats, such as the loss of the Crimean War (1856) and the Russo-Japanese War (1905), highlighting its economic and military shortcomings compared to more industrialized nations like Japan and Western Europe.

What were the main internal issues that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty in China?

The Qing Dynasty faced ethnic tensions, especially between the ruling Manchurian minority and the native Han majority. Additionally, the country suffered from food shortages due to overpopulation, and the government’s low tax revenue hindered its ability to address infrastructure problems.

Who was Sun Yat-Sen, and what role did he play in China's revolution?

Sun Yat-Sen was a key figure in China's revolution, leading the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. He aimed to establish a more democratic government but was forced to relinquish power after a short time, handing it over to military leaders.

What were the key reforms sought by the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire?

The Young Turks advocated for a constitutional government and promoted Turkification, which sought to align the empire's culture with Turkish identity, heavily influenced by Islam. They also opposed European economic dominance over the Ottoman Empire.

What led to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923?

The Republic of Turkey was established after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led the movement, focusing on secularism and westernizing Turkey’s political, cultural, and social systems.

How did the policies of Porfirio Diaz contribute to the Mexican Revolution?

Porfirio Diaz’s authoritarian rule allowed foreign investors to control much of Mexico’s resources, leading to extreme wealth inequality. His repressive actions, including imprisoning opposition leader Francisco Madero, sparked the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

What were some of the major reforms introduced by Mexico's 1917 constitution?

The 1917 Mexican Constitution included land redistribution, the extension of voting rights to all men, and a focus on public education, aiming to address the inequality and injustices perpetuated under Diaz's rule.

What was the significance of the Bolshevik Revolution in global politics?

The Bolshevik Revolution marked the rise of communism as a dominant ideology, challenging capitalist democracies and creating a stark division that would define much of the 20th century’s global conflicts, including the Cold War.