BELLWORK1. How was the Russian Empire divided prior to

unification? Why did they desire unity?

2. Describe how Russia finally unified.

3. How was Austria-Hungary divided prior to unification? Why did they want to unify? How were the Slavs involved?

4. Describe how Austria-Hungary finally unified.

5. What was the purpose of the Suez Canal?

6. What was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?

7. Explain the Open-Door policy.

8. What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War?

Russian Empire• In the early 1800s the Russian Empire was

made up of more than 60 nationalities and 100 different languages!

• The Empire was an autocracy: government in which one person rules with unlimited authority.

• Leader of the autocracy = czar.

• The plan: escape harsh rule of the czars and establish civil rights, equality and a functioning government.

Russian Empire• Czar Alexander III: wanted to unify the empire

by a policy of Russification.

• Russification: persecution of non-Russian peoples, anyone who questioned the czar’s authority, or followed a different religion.

• These harsh policies created a huge wave of revolutions from peasants, radicals, anarchists and reformers.

• Czar Nicholas II: next in power; still used an autocratic government

Russian Empire • In October 1905, angry peasants seized control

of the cities

• Forced Nicholas II to meet the demands of the people

• October Manifesto: granted civil rights and set up constitutional monarchy.

• The empire was finally unified under a common government!

• This unification was only temporary because the peasants will rise up again on the eve of WWI.

Austria-Hungary • Dual Monarchy: combination of two

states with one monarch

• Empire of Austria and the kingdom of Hungary joined together

• 3/5 of Austria-Hungary’s population were Slavs – who had no voice in the government.

• Slavic nationalist groups wanted to break free of the Empire and create their own countries.

Austria-Hungary• In 1877, Russia went to war on behalf of the

Slavic people in the Balkan Peninsula.

• As Russia began to win, various states within Austria-Hungary declared their independence.

• By 1912, the new Balkan states joined together to protect themselves from Austria-Hungarian rule.

• The tensions in this region eventually cause WWI.

Suez Canal • Ferdinand de Lesseps was a

French entrepreneur who proposed the idea of a canal in Egypt.

• He obtained permission to build from both Egypt and Sudan

• His goal was to increase international trade and decrease the cost of goods

• It linked two important trade waters: Mediterranean and Red Seas (Europe to Asia)

• Eventually, Great Britain takes over control of the canal, until 1981 when it’s given to Egypt

The Monroe Doctrine• President James Monroe

and Secretary of State John Adams proposed the doctrine in 1823

• It warned that if any European power intervened in the Western hemisphere, the U.S. has the right to use military force against them.

• Showed U.S. superiority in the region, but caused a lot of interventions in Latin America.

America Becoming a World Power• Japan had not traded

with a Western power for 250 years, but had great coal deposits.

• Open Door Policy: Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Tokyo and “opened” or negotiated trade. The growth of Asian markets stimulated the U.S. economy.

Causes of the Spanish-American War• Background:• Cuba had struggled for 30 years over independence

from Spain.• Some argued Cuba was part of the U.S. -

geographically close & great economic potential (sugar)

• 1895 – Cuban rebels launched a fight for independence. Spanish retaliated by placing them in concentration camps.

• 1896 – McKinley elected President; openly supports Cuban independence.

• February 1898: Explosion of U.S.S. Maine – American’s blame Spain (actually was a coal fire)

End of the Spanish American War• After the U.S. won, Spain signed an armistice

(cease-fire).

• In October 1898, both countries signed the Paris Peace Treaty – Spain granted Independence to Cuba, Guam,

Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million.

• Caused the collapse of the Spanish Empire

• Cuba and Philippines eventually were given complete independence but Puerto Rico and Guam remain U.S. territories.

Importance of Spanish-American War

• America was now considered a “superpower”

• Makes foreign powers recognize American military/political strength

• U.S. now establishes foreign markets

• U.S. is able to establish military bases around the world