The Russian Revolution

WWI had an extremly negative effect on Russias economy. There where food shortages, population decrease, inflation, and many people where peasents. The government, and the Czar Nicholas II where unable to help the people. The people of Russia wanted a new form of government and a revolution. A revolution leader named Lenin tried to help the country. Inspired by Carl Marx, he believed in communism and spread it through Russia. The people wanted a new government. Inspired by his quote of Peace, land, and bread, they embraced the idea of communism

This started the Russian revolution. They removed their leader Nicholas II from power. This resulte in riots and violent demostrations. New people took government positions. This is known as the Febuary revolution. During a period known as the October revolution. During this, the Soviet Union was established. They got rid of the Democratic system, and set up dictatorship in the country. This resulted in the Russian Civil War.

Causes of WWI

During the late 1800s, tensions began to rise between countries in Europe. Many countries began to stock up on weapons and military forces. Nationalism caused angry feelings between countries, and imperialism caused rivalry between countries. Alliances such as the Three Emperors Lead and Triple alliance where made in case of war. Many armies and navies where expanded because of militarism. Because of conflict, Serbia threatened Austria, and Russia threatened that they would support Austria.

Because of alliances made, Europe was split into two sides that where angry and in compition with each other to be the best. Each country beleived it was better than the other. All tension was let loose when a Serbia assassinated Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand. War broke out between the two countries, and because of previous alliances made with countries, other countries became involved in the war. Later on, because of American ships being destroyed by war, they too entered and helped the Triple Alliance win the war.

The Opium Wars

In the 19th century, Britain's trade of opium with China started a war known as the Opium War. China had traded many things with Britain including tea, which had now become very important in Europe. Britain wanted to trade something with China so it would not become a one sided trade that would hurt Britain. They began to trade opium to the Chinese. Opium is a highly addictive drug that is made from poppy plants, and is used to make many highly addictive drug. Many of Chinas population became addicted, and Chinas economy was damaged trying to pay for all the opium with gold, silver, and tea.
In 1838, the Chinese government started to restrict opium trade with Britain. Chinese government refused to let opium in the country, and would not back down from the British who pressured it onto them. This lead to the British attacking China to allow opium in the country. This was known as the Opium Wars. The British won these drug wars, and China faced defeat. Chinese government signed a treaty to allow opium to be traded in Chinese ports. They also allowed the sale of Opium legal. This caused Chinese government to become weaker and control was lost.

Mountains Of The Moon

Mountains of the Moon is a historical film about John Speke and Richard Burton. It tells of their journey threw Africa's uncharted land, as well as their search for the source of the Nile River. During this quest, they faced many hardships. One great trouble was that they did not know the area, and faced hot temperatures and needed water. Another great problem was the African tribes inhabiting the area, who where not always welcome to them. They had never seen white people before, and attacked them, causing them to retreat. The second time they where more prepared, but still faced difficulties with other tribes and also with animals such as lions and insects.

Even this being so, the European explorers had some advantages. This was a technological advantage. They had better weapons, such as guns which where more useful than spears. The Africans where amazed with their technology. Their superior technology helped the Europeans conquer Africa. This also helped lead to the discovery of the source of the Nile river. This was the worlds third largest lake. It was called lake Victoria, which was named after the European queen. It is strange that they named an African lake after a European queen because the Europeans had not discovered it, the Africans knew it was there before the Europeans.

The Meiji Restoration of Japan

For a long period of time, Japan has been a country dedicated to isolation. They did not want to trade with any other countries and only worried with themselves. In 1853, European explorers such as Mathew Perry landed in Japan and wanted water and coal to trade. The Japanese where astonished by there technology. Japan was an archipelago, which is a small group of islands, so it would be easy to trade. The Japanese where very resistant to open up trade with Europeans. Many fought the Europeans because they did not want trade. But with the help of superior technology, Mathew Perry was able to force trade with Japan. This led to the fall of Japanese shogunates and the restoration of power for the Emperor Meiji.
The introduction of trade to Japan helped the country move towards modernization. Japans government was changed, and the country became more open to trade. Japan was being exposed to many other outside cultures and goods. All this helped the Japanese government expand. The population increased and s0 did industrialization. The Meiji Emperor had much less control than the shogun did, and the Meiji Emperor soon just became a figurehead. All of this led to the advance country japan is today.

Karl Marx and Communism

Karl Marx did not like the way the world was during the Industrial Revolution. He wanted a new form of government to rule. This is why he created and founded Communism. Marx helped make the Communist Manifesto, which set the basics for the rules and principals of Communism. He wanted to end Capitalism and Socialism and make all people share the same rights. He wanted an end of the bourgeoisie class system.
In Karl Marx's eyes, a Communist country was supposed to be ruled by its people. All people should have the same rights and pay no matter what profession. He did not like that some had power while others did not. All workers would share a common wealth with their bosses, and there would be no more class systems. Unfortunately his ideas where never truly used in Communist countries. In Communist countries, the people where controlled by strict dictators. Many of people rights where limited, and people could not speak against there government. The media was also being censored. Although his idea was never realized, Karl Marx is still the founding father of Communism.

Karl Marx and the Industrial Revolution

Karl Marx was a German thinker during the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused many people to work hard in factories for little pay and harsh conditions. Marx was against this idea , and believed that the workers and bosses should have equal rights. Marx was against child labor and the unfairness that workers faced. Marx supported a communist society in which workers had equal right a pay as everyone else. He believed that workers should control the government.
Karl Marx dislike of the Industrial Revolution and the unfair class systems inspired him to make a new form of government. This was Communism, a system when all people shared common rights. In his eyes, the government should be controlled by the workers, and all classes should have equal pay and rights. No one should have advantages or better lifestyles than others, and should share the same wealth. Although his view of Communism was never truly used in Communist countries.