Colonization And Empire Europe Emerges with Power

Bismarck vs. The Socialists Late 1870s – Marxists organized the Social Democratic Party After a failed assassination against the Kaiser, Socialist groups were outlawed. Newspapers shut down, dissolved groups and banned their meetings. The suppression failed and workers supported socialist causes.

Change In Direction Bismarck then sponsors laws to protect workers Health care, accident insurance, old age pension Workers stayed with the socialists

Kaiser Wilhelm II 1888 the grandson is crowned Kaiser Asked Bismarck to resign in 1890 Resisted democratic ideas but built up social welfare programs. Added the desire of a strong navy to military spending

Austria Collapses Austria had a stagnate, multiethnic empire facing the problems of industrialization During the first nationalist revolts of 1848, young Francis – Joseph took the throne. Made limited reforms at home After the defeat to Prussia in 1866, Hungary forced the empire to create the dual Monarchy of Austria Hungary Satisfied only the Austrians and Hungarians, not the rest of the groups.

Sick Man of Europe 1830s Serbia and Greece free themselves of the empire. The other empires of Europe planned on dividing the Ottoman among themselves. In the end the region saw a series of small wars in which countries switched sides all in the bid for power and prestige. Locals revolted and fought the great powers and each other. “Balkan powder keg” would eventually led to WW1.

Russian Reforms? Russia by the 1800s realized it needed to modernize but didn’t want to disturb their absolute rule Alexander II 1855 – Crimean War showed Russia’s backwardness and massive need to reform Freed the Serfs in 1861 Absolute power began to give way to local self government

Retaliation Due to little, failed social changes combined with the peasants not joining, Socialists assassinated Alexander II Secret Police was strengthened – critics to Siberia Censorship was restored Started Russification Jewish Persecution increased (pogroms)

Russian Industrialization Nicholas II finally begins to industrialize Russia Encourage railroads to be built Secured foreign capital for various projects. The nobles and the peasants feared the changes that would come. Peasants moved to cities to work in factories that were dangerous and for long hours. Socialists stood outside factory gates handing out pamphlets and preaching marxism

The Revolution of 1905 Suffering multiple humiliating defeats at the hands of Japan, the Russians poured into the streets protesting everything. Sunday 1/22/1905 – a young priest organized a peaceful march that flowed to the Winter Palace. The Tzar feared the people, fled the area and called in the army. Hundreds were shot Eroded faith in the Tzar This lead to strikes and protests all over the empire. Also mixed in were minorities wanting autonomy and terrorists. This eventually lead to the October Manifesto Summoning of a Duma Results, the Duma met but was dissolved just as quick but the Tzar did appoint Peter Stolypin as Prime minister He began land reforms, improved education, and strengthened the zemstvos. Was assassinated in 1911

Voting Reform in Britain 1800 Britain was a constitutional monarchy, but only 5% could vote. House of Lords could veto a House of Commons bill. Began a period of protest for changes to the voting laws. 1820s Catholics and non-Anglican Protestants could vote. Another protest was for correct representation – greater representation to the cities. Great Reform Act of 1832 – redid districts and enlarged the electorate.

“God Save The Queen!” 1837 – 1901 Queen Victoria ruled over Britain Little real power, but she was the example that the rest of the world would follow (thus the age being named after her). Her ideals included duty, thrift, honesty, hard work, and respectability. She lead by example People were confident in the future and that went into Britain expanding the Empire.

Political Changes Tories become the Conservatives (Disraeli) Whigs become the Liberals (Gladstone) Conservatives pushed through the Reform bill of 1867 – most men could now vote. Liberals in the 1880s gave farmworkers and other men the right to vote. The secret ballot came soon after. These changes forced Britain to evolve into a Parliamentary Democracy Crushed the House of Lords into a mostly ceremonial roll.

Changes Slave trade outlawed in Britain in 1807 1833 Parliament banned slavery throughout the empire. Capital Offenses were reduced and many of the lessor criminals were banished to penal colonies. Women gain suffrage only after a long period of protest in 1918.

The Second Empire of France Napoleon III – ruled almost as a dictator. Promoted industrial investments such as in the building of the Suez Canal. Unions were legalized Public education was improved His foreign policies only worked part of the time. Failed in Mexico Succeeded in Italy only to have a united Italy against him.

Third Republic During the disastrous Franco – Prussian War, Napoleon III was captured. Republicans created the Third Republic. This government accepted the harsh peace with Germany which France would one day want revenge. Rebels set up the Paris Commune in 1871 with the goal of saving the Republic from royalists. Made up of workers, socialists, and bourgeois republicans. Lead to weeks of civil war in Paris. Ended when Govt. troops killed 20,000 of the rebels.

Anti – Semitism in France 1894 – Alfred Dreyfus was accused of spying for Germany. At his military trial, neither he nor his lawyer were allowed to see the evidence against him. He was the first Jewish Frenchman to reach his rank and it is believed that the other officers practiced anti – semitism. Condemned to life imprisonment on Devils Island.