WW1's Effect on Political Revolutions Flashcards
What was the situation at the turn of the Century?
Ideas of c19 (come along with the train of the bourgeoisie revolution) century of the bourgeoisie (middle classes) - end of aristocracy? End of their preeminence - isn’t the same across Europe - bourgeois isn’t as important in Russia as France
What was the significance of Charles Darwin?
His ideas of natural science and rationality had significance in multiple ways. As natural science to an extent displaced religions as the means of explaining the world around us and educated people start to think that the world is shaped by scientific nature rather than religion
Similar to Darwin, what can it be argued Marx discovered?
The Law of Evolution of Human History
How did the outcome of the war affect the world? And what is a good example?
Not all of the world fought in the war. There were defeated powers and victorious powers. Triumph is a mixed bag of benefits and huge sacrifices. Russia is a good example as it was technically a victor, but sustained huge losses and was engulfed in revolution as war went on
How was Germany changing before the war?
It was the fastest changing society pre-1914 as it was only unified in 1870. And whilst Britain was very powerful, Germany was starting to compete (militarily etc)
In what other way is the war argued to have had an effect on the subsequent revolutions?
Acted as a ‘forcing house’ of change, a ‘harbinger’ of change. Added to already existing change
What factors led to more working class militancy?
- Poverty - Substantial decline of purchasing power
- Inflation - indebtedness of nation, distorted western European economies, inflation a prelude to strikes
- Living conditions - overcome with influenza epidemic - as well as other parts of Europe
- Militarisation of labour - all of belligerent powers, armed services take over key industries - prewar social reforms are ended, tightening of state control
- Increases TU membership, sense of community within working class
- Low agricultural production - technology, loss of manpower, lack of horsepower
When referring to the ‘middle class’, why must one be cautious?
The middle class can include a group which has a huge economic disparity, due to a different access to power
What is the most accurate way of describing the class conflict?
Antagonisms between the lower middle classes and the working class
What was it the lower middle classes feared? And why did they blame the working class?
They feared proletarianisation - that their economic status was going to be driven down by miseries of the war. they blamed the workers - they seemed to be favoured by the state - because of industrial production = industrial workers
Why did many Germans suffer so severely economically after WW1? What subsequent effect did this have?
As those who bought bonds (as if they were victorious they would see an economic benefit) lost a lot as a result of the defeat.
Influences the growth of radical, patriotic organisations of the Mittelstand
What were some of the psychological impacts of the war across Europe and how did they change from nation to nation?
Some were appalled by the slaughter, disillusioned but still accustom to the brutality, some became more brutal as a result, some demanded compensation for their sacrifice once they returned (armed)
When can the Revolution in Russia be seen to have taken place?
1905-1917
When referring to the ‘middle class’, why must one be cautious?
The middle class can include a group which has a huge economic disparity, due to a different access to power
What is the most accurate way of describing the class conflict?
Antagonisms between the lower middle classes and the working class
