Changes

For three years (1914-1916) the United States stayed out of the war.  Europe had been having internal fights since the ancient time of the Greek empire, and the United States had friends on both sides of World War I.  Many Americans were of German descent and sympathetic to the Central Powers, although most Americans were of British descent then (and now).  If the United States were to intervene, then it was clear that it would enter the war on the side of the British, but most Americans were initially against getting involved.

For three years (1914-1916) the United States stayed out of the war.  Europe had been having internal fights since the ancient time of the Greek empire, and the United States had friends on both sides of World War I.  Many Americans were of German descent and sympathetic to the Central Powers, although most Americans were of British descent then (and now).  If the United States were to intervene, then it was clear that it would enter the war on the side of the British, but most Americans were initially against getting involved.

The Germans were using submarines to patrol the Atlantic in order to intercept British ships.  The German submarine was known as the “U-boat”, and it terrorized everyone.  In 1915, still relatively early in the war, a U-boat sunk a massive British passenger liner known as the Lusitania.  This one sinking killed 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens.  A member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, known for its railroad empire, was among the fatalities.  The overall number of casualties was only a few hundred less than those who died on the Titanic when it hit an iceberg in 1912.

The Germans were using submarines to patrol the Atlantic in order to intercept British ships.  The German submarine was known as the “U-boat”, and it terrorized everyone.  In 1915, still relatively early in the war, a U-boat sunk a massive British passenger liner known as the Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens.  A member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, known for its railroad empire, was among the fatalities.  The overall number of casualties was only a few hundred less than those who died on the Titanic when it hit an iceberg in 1912.

Americans were outraged by this German sneak attack on the Lusitania, but still did not support joining the war.  Germans claimed that the ship was carrying ammunition, and historians agree.  Nevertheless, to avoid the loss of civilian life the Germans announced that it would stop attacking passenger liners and other neutral shipping.

Americans were outraged by this German sneak attack on the Lusitania, but still did not support joining the war.  Germans claimed that the ship was carrying ammunition, and historians agree.  Nevertheless, to avoid the loss of civilian life the Germans announced that it would stop attacking passenger liners and other neutral shipping.

Another incident outraged Americans more.  German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent an encrypted (secretly coded) telegram to the German ambassador to Mexico, which sought to induce Mexico to declare war on the United States. The British intelligence intercepted and deciphered (decoded) the telegram and gave it to the United States to help the British cause. President Woodrow Wilson made the contents of the telegram public.  

Another incident outraged Americans more.  German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent an encrypted (secretly coded) telegram to the German ambassador to Mexico, which sought to induce Mexico to declare war on the United States. The British intelligence intercepted and deciphered (decoded) the telegram and gave it to the United States to help the British cause. President Woodrow Wilson made the contents of the telegram public.  

The telegram promised that Germany would help Mexico regain land it had previously lost to the United States in the Mexican War (in the 1840s) if Mexico would declare war against the United States during World War I. Americans were outraged, and some newspapers doubted that the British self-serving version of the telegram was true. But then Zimmermann himself was foolish enough to confirm the promise (pledge) to Mexico in a public speech.

The telegram promised that Germany would help Mexico regain land it had previously lost to the United States in the Mexican War (in the 1840s) if Mexico would declare war against the United States during World War I. Americans were outraged, and some newspapers doubted that the British self-serving version of the telegram was true. But then Zimmermann himself was foolish enough to confirm the promise (pledge) by Germany to Mexico in a public speech.

This news, plus the sinking of American ships by German submarines, swung American opinion towards entering the war against the Germans.  Even though President Woodrow Wilson campaigned for the presidency on his promise to keep America out of World War I, he pushed Congress to declare war on Germany on April 2, 1917.  The addition of the United States to the Allies tipped the power in their favor.

This news, plus the sinking of American ships by German submarines, swung American opinion towards entering the war against the Germans.  Even though President Woodrow Wilson had campaigned six months earlier for reelection on his promise to keep America '''''out of''''' World War I, he pushed Congress to declare war on Germany on April 2, 1917.  The addition of the United States to the Allies tipped the power in their favor.

===Russia===

===Russia===

The losses and hardship of the war had weakened Russian Czar Nicholas II.  He abdicated the throne in March 1917 in favor of a provisional government, which intended to continue fighting in the war.  But in November 1917 Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), the leader of the Communist Party, overthrew the government.  In July 1918, the communists executed every member of the czar’s family.  (The bodies of two of the children have never been found, and years later a woman claimed to have been a girl in the family, but historians doubted it and DNA evidence did not support her claim.)

The losses and hardship of the war had weakened Russian Czar Nicholas II.  He abdicated the throne in March 1917 in favor of a provisional government, which intended to continue fighting in the war.  But in November 1917 Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), the leader of the Communist Party, overthrew the government.  In July 1918, the communists executed every member of the czar’s family.  (The bodies of two of the children have never been found, and years later a woman claimed to have been a girl in the family, but historians doubted it and DNA evidence did not support her claim.)

Lenin was one of the most influential persons in all of history.  He was both a thinker and a revolutionary, which is a rare combination.  An atheist, he personally converted in 1889 to Marxism (as previously formulated by Karl Marx).  He obtained a law degree shortly afterwards, and by 1895 was a subversive who was arrested and sent to the frigid Siberia as punishment.  Once he served his time he left for Western Europe, where he developed his ideas further and became a leader of the Bolsheviks.  He returned to Russia after tsarist (czarist) rule ended in March 1917, and then Lenin led the Bolsheviks to power in the “October Revolution” (which was really in November under our Western calendar).  He then ruled the Soviet Union and imposed a system of Marxism-Leninism (communism) that remained in force there until the 1990s.

Lenin was one of the most influential persons in all of history.  He was both a thinker and a revolutionary, which is a rare combination.  An atheist, he personally converted in 1889 to Marxism (as previously formulated by Karl Marx).  He obtained a law degree shortly afterwards, and by 1895 was a subversive who was arrested and sent to the frigid Siberia as punishment.  Once he served his time he left for Western Europe, where he developed his ideas further and became a leader of the Bolsheviks.  He returned to Russia after tsarist (czarist) rule ended in March 1917, and then Lenin led the Bolsheviks to power in the “October Revolution” (which was really in November under our Western calendar).  He subsequently ruled the Soviet Union and imposed a system of Marxism-Leninism (communism) that remained in force there until the 1990s.

Lenin quickly arranged for peace with Germany to end Russia’s support of the Allies in the war.  In March 1918, Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, by which Russia gave to Germany much territory, including what is now Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia and Latvia.  This was a humiliating defeat for Russia, but it was simply too weak to fight the Germans further.

Lenin quickly arranged for peace with Germany to end Russia’s support of the Allies in the war.  In March 1918, Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, by which Russia gave to Germany much territory, including what is now Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia and Latvia.  This was a humiliating defeat for Russia, but it was simply too weak to fight the Germans further.

The war ended in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, but the terms of peace remained unresolved.  The Allies convened at the historic Palace of Versailles outside Paris in January 1918 to discuss peace terms.  The representatives at the Paris Peace Conference included Woodrow Wilson from the United States, David Lloyd George from Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando from Italy, and Georges Clemenceau from France.

The war ended in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, but the terms of peace remained unresolved.  The Allies convened at the historic Palace of Versailles outside Paris in January 1918 to discuss peace terms.  The representatives at the Paris Peace Conference included Woodrow Wilson from the United States, David Lloyd George from Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando from Italy, and Georges Clemenceau from France.

President Wilson wanted his “Fourteen Points” adopted as the peace treaty.  His proposal included moving national borders, creating new nations, and allowing ethnic groups to choose their own governments.  His main point (#14) was to create a new entity known as the League of Nations to resolve international conflicts in the future.  The American people never supported the League of Nations and the U.S. Senate never ratified the treaty establishing it, and President Wilson died thinking he was a failure.  But less than 30 years later the United States did join a similar entity known as the United Nations, though it remains controversial and many Americans oppose it.

President Wilson wanted his “Fourteen Points” adopted as the peace treaty.  His proposal included moving national borders, creating new nations, and allowing ethnic groups to choose their own governments.  His main point (#14) was to create a new entity known as the League of Nations to resolve international conflicts in the future.  The American people never supported the League of Nations and the U.S. Senate never ratified the treaty establishing it; President Wilson died thinking he was a failure.  But less than 30 years later the United States did join a similar entity known as the United Nations, though it remains controversial and many Americans oppose it.

France wanted to punish Germany for the war, while Britain wanted to disarm Germany.  The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, did both.  It imposed limits on the size of the German army and prohibited it from having submarines, an air force, or factories to make weapons.  It could not import weapons either.  A “war guilt” clause placed all the blame for the war on Germany, and it was required to pay reparations of $33 billion over a 30-year period.  Germany lost its colonies in Africa and the Pacific.  Germany had to give its territory of Alsace-Lorraine to France.  The Allies and neutral nations created the League of Nations, which the United States never joined, and Germany and Russia were initially prohibited from joining.

France wanted to punish Germany for the war, while Britain wanted to disarm Germany.  The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, did both.  It imposed limits on the size of the German army and prohibited it from having submarines, an air force, or factories to make weapons.  It could not import weapons either.  A “war guilt” clause placed all the blame for the war on Germany, and it was required to pay reparations of $33 billion over a 30-year period.  Germany lost its colonies in Africa and the Pacific.  Germany had to give its territory of Alsace-Lorraine to France.  The Allies and neutral nations created the League of Nations, which the United States never joined, and Germany and Russia were initially prohibited from joining.

==Communism==

==Communism==

The taking root of communism in Russia during World War I was perhaps the single most important political event of the 1900s (the 20th century).  It deserves greater study.

The taking root of communism in Russia during World War I was perhaps the single most important political event of the entire 1900s (the 20th century).  It deserves greater study.

Communism, like it or not, is a powerful idea.  It embodies this basic complaint known to every child: “That’s not fair.”  Communism takes advantage of the very powerful human emotion of envy or jealousy.  By forcing everyone to have the same wealth (or lack of wealth), communism creates a superficial equality for everyone.

Communism, like it or not, is a powerful concept.  It embodies this basic complaint known to every child: “That’s not fair.”  Communism takes advantage of the very powerful human emotion of envy or jealousy.  By forcing everyone to have the same wealth (or lack of wealth), communism creates a superficial equality for everyone.

Even Jesus’ Apostles complained about perceived advantages among each other, reflecting their human side.  In one passage, Peter complained about what would become preferential treatment for John.  In another passage, several Apostles complained about the request of James and John to sit next to Jesus in Heaven.  But in many parables (like the [[Parable of the Talents]]), Jesus taught ''inequality'' rather than equality.  It is clear that demands for equality in wealth are not based on Christianity, but are based on non-Christian materialism.  Put another way, trying to require a superficial equality is based on man’s incomplete view, not God’s.

Even Jesus’ Apostles complained about perceived advantages among each other, reflecting their human side.  In one passage, Peter complained about what would become preferential treatment for John.  In another passage, several Apostles complained about the request of James and John to sit next to Jesus in Heaven.  But in many parables (like the [[Parable of the Talents]]), Jesus taught ''inequality'' rather than equality.  It is clear that demands for equality in wealth are not based on Christianity, but are based on non-Christian materialism.  Put another way, trying to require a superficial equality is based on man’s incomplete view, not God’s.

Czar Alexander III’s son was Nicholas II, who became czar in 1894 and is now recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.  As autocratic as his father, Nicholas II continued the attempt to modernize (industrialize) Russia.  He used government to create railroads and factories.  His regime built the Trans-Siberian Railway.  But all this industrialization brought some problems, such as low wages and harsh working conditions.

Czar Alexander III’s son was Nicholas II, who became czar in 1894 and is now recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.  As autocratic as his father, Nicholas II continued the attempt to modernize (industrialize) Russia.  He used government to create railroads and factories.  His regime built the Trans-Siberian Railway.  But all this industrialization brought some problems, such as low wages and harsh working conditions.

===Early Signs of Revolution===

===Early Signs of the Communist Revolution===

By the late 1800s the views of Karl Marx had reached Russia, and by 1903 there were two Marxist groups:  the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks.  The Mensheviks sought more industrialization before seeking support from the proletariat (working class) for a revolution.  The Bolsheviks were more extreme, wanting a violent revolution by a small group of people as soon as possible.  Their leader was Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who was exiled in Europe but still in charge of his followers in Russia.

By the late 1800s the views of Karl Marx had reached Russia, and by 1903 there were two Marxist groups:  the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks.  The Mensheviks sought more industrialization before seeking support from the proletariat (working class) for a revolution.  The Bolsheviks were more extreme, wanting a violent revolution by a small group of people as soon as possible.  Their leader was Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who was exiled in Europe but still in charge of his followers in Russia.

More violent protests ensued, and Czar Nicholas II allowed the creation of the first-ever elected Russian parliament, called the Duma.  It met initially in May 1906, when it was led by moderates trying to imitate the constitutional monarchy of Britain.  But Nicholas dissolved the parliament after it met for only ten weeks.  It did occasionally meet again in the future, but never seemed to have any power.

More violent protests ensued, and Czar Nicholas II allowed the creation of the first-ever elected Russian parliament, called the Duma.  It met initially in May 1906, when it was led by moderates trying to imitate the constitutional monarchy of Britain.  But Nicholas dissolved the parliament after it met for only ten weeks.  It did occasionally meet again in the future, but never seemed to have any power.

Once World War I broke out, Nicholas moved to the front lines and left his wife, Czarina (Tsarina) Alexandra, in charge of running the country.  Alexandra’s son Alexis, however, developed a bleeding condition known as hemophilia, which means blood has difficulty clotting.  A small cut just bleeds and bleeds in a frightful manner.  His mother, the czarina, understandably was fraught with worry about his condition.  She increasingly relied on the only person who seemed able to stop her son’s bleeding:  a peasant-turned-monk named Rasputin.  Rasputin took advantage of this trust and began making decisions for the country, granting government positions to friends, and causing everyone (especially the nobles) to fear him.  Rasputin had a mystical quality that has inspired many books and stories about him.  He had converted to Christianity at the age of 18 and when everyone else failed to help the boy’s bleeding disorder, Rasputin claimed healing powers that would help.  The nobles hated Rasputin because he was a peasant who now had power over them, and the nobles plotted to assassinate him.

Once World War I broke out, Nicholas moved to the front lines and left his wife, Czarina (Tsarina) Alexandra, in charge of running the country.  Alexandra’s son Alexis, however, developed a bleeding condition known as hemophilia, which means blood has difficulty clotting.  A small cut just bleeds and bleeds in a frightful manner.  His mother, the czarina, understandably was beset with worry about his condition.  She increasingly relied on the only person who seemed able to stop her son’s bleeding:  a peasant-turned-monk named Rasputin.  Rasputin took advantage of this trust and began making decisions for the country, granting government positions to friends, and causing everyone (especially the nobles) to fear him.  Rasputin had a mystical quality that has inspired many books and stories about him.  He had converted to Christianity at the age of 18 and when everyone else failed to help the boy’s bleeding disorder, Rasputin claimed healing powers that would help.  The nobles hated Rasputin because he was a peasant who now had power over them, and the nobles plotted to assassinate him.

In a Russian tradition that continues to this day, the method of choice for assassination was poisoning.  The nobles laced some pastries with enough poison to immediately kill a horse, and many times more what was necessary to kill a human immediately.  Rasputin ate several of the pastries and seemed to enjoy it.  He drank some wine.  Nothing happened to him.  His assassins watched and waited for hours.  Rasputin was completely enjoying himself and showed no ill effects whatsoever from the massive dose of poison.  Finally, after distracting Rasputin by pointing to a crucifix, a noble shot him point blank.  Rasputin fell to the floor and appeared to die.  His assassins left him there.  But later, when one returned to make sure Rasputin was dead, he sprung to his feet and began shaking his assassin by his shoulders.  Then Rasputin ran out, promising to tell the czarina.  The assassins shot him again and again, and then beat him with a dumbbell, and he still was not dead.  Then they tied him up and tossed him into the half-frozen river.  He eventually died from drowning, on Dec. 17, 1916.

In a Russian tradition that continues to this day, the method of choice for assassination was poisoning.  The nobles laced some pastries with enough poison to immediately kill a horse, and many times more what was necessary to kill a human immediately.  Rasputin ate several of the pastries and seemed to enjoy it.  He drank some wine.  Nothing happened to him.  His assassins watched and waited for hours.  Rasputin was completely enjoying himself and showed no ill effects whatsoever from the massive dose of poison.  Finally, after distracting Rasputin by pointing to a crucifix, a noble shot him point blank.  Rasputin fell to the floor and appeared to die.  His assassins left him there.  But later, when one returned to make sure Rasputin was dead, he sprung to his feet and began shaking his assassin by his shoulders.  Then Rasputin ran out, promising to tell the czarina.  The assassins shot him again and again, and then beat him with a dumbbell, and he still was not dead.  Then they tied him up and tossed him into the half-frozen river.  He eventually died from drowning, on Dec. 17, 1916.

Communism and the Russian Civil War from 1818 to 1820 left the country in economic ruin.  In March 1921, Lenin announced his New Economic Policy (NEP) to restore trade and industry to the country.  The NEP permitted some capitalism to create incentives, and it allowed for some foreign investment.  Peasants could sell surplus crops.  Profits by merchants were allowed.  But government still controlled all major industries.  This small amount of private ownership applied only to small factories, farms and stores.  Still, it helped improve the economy by 1928.

Communism and the Russian Civil War from 1818 to 1820 left the country in economic ruin.  In March 1921, Lenin announced his New Economic Policy (NEP) to restore trade and industry to the country.  The NEP permitted some capitalism to create incentives, and it allowed for some foreign investment.  Peasants could sell surplus crops.  Profits by merchants were allowed.  But government still controlled all major industries.  This small amount of private ownership applied only to small factories, farms and stores.  Still, it helped improve the economy by 1928.

Politically, Lenin established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922, allowing Lenin’s central government to control many socialized republics.  In 1924, the Bolsheviks began calling themselves “Communists” and established a constitution.  But there was only one political party, and it held all the power.  It was the Communist Party.

Politically, Lenin established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922, allowing Lenin’s central government to control many socialized republics.  In 1924, the Bolsheviks began calling themselves “Communists” and established a constitution.  There was only one political party, and it held all the power.  It was the Communist Party.

===Joseph Stalin===

===Joseph Stalin===

As noted above, Joseph Stalin won the power struggle when Lenin died in 1924.  Stalin established a brutal totalitarian state, whereby he dictated all aspects of life and used violence to destroy any opponents.  A secret police aided Stalin in his vicious execution of all opponents.

As noted above, Joseph Stalin won the power struggle when Lenin died in 1924.  Stalin established a brutal totalitarian state, whereby he dictated all aspects of life and used violence to destroy any opponents.  A secret police aided Stalin in his vicious execution of all opponents.

Stalin was one of the worst murderers in the history of the world.  He starved to death perhaps 20 million Ukrainians.  He conducted the Great Purge from 1934 to 1939, in which he executed all opponents.  He established youth groups to brainwash other youths in how great Stalin was, and how great communism was.  He persecuted all religious groups and destroyed houses of worship.  He controlled the press.

Stalin was one of the worst murderers in the history of the world.  He starved to death perhaps 20 million Ukrainians.  He conducted the Great Purge from 1934 to 1939, in which he executed all opponents.  He established youth groups to brainwash other youths in how great Stalin was, and how great communism supposedly was.  He persecuted all religious groups and destroyed houses of worship.  He controlled the press.

Stalin had women work in factories just like men, in addition to the women’s chores of homemaking and raising children.  Stalin converted all schools into instruments of propaganda to teach students to love communism and worship the state.  [[Abortion]] skyrocketed in Russia at rates many times the rest of the world.  Alcoholism was rampant also.

Stalin had women work in factories just like men, in addition to the women’s chores of homemaking and raising children.  Stalin converted all schools into instruments of propaganda to teach students to love communism and worship the state.  [[Abortion]] increased enormously in Russia, at rates many times the rest of the world.  Alcoholism was rampant too.

Stalin continued to industrialize the Soviet Union, which included the former country of Russia along with many surrounding “soviets”.  Stalin established a command economy whereby the government made all economic decisions.  Under such a regime, shortages became widespread and people had to wait in line for hours to obtain basic necessities.  Stalin announced a Five-Year Plan to try to increase production of industrial items like electricity, oil, steel and coal.  This was a failure, although production did increase a bit.  Stalin next tried a second Five-Year Plan to make up for the failure of the first one.

Stalin continued to industrialize the Soviet Union, which included the former country of Russia along with many surrounding “soviets”.  Stalin established a command economy whereby the government made all economic decisions.  Under such a regime, shortages became widespread and people had to wait in line for hours to obtain basic necessities.  Stalin announced a Five-Year Plan to try to increase production of industrial items like electricity, oil, steel and coal.  This was a failure, although production did increase a bit.  Stalin next tried a second Five-Year Plan to make up for the failure of the first one.

This was how the communist Stalin killed perhaps 20 million in the Ukraine.  In 1928, Stalin seized millions of private farms, and combined them into large, government-owned farms.  Stalin did this to punish the Ukrainian kulaks, who were wealthier peasants who had done well (through their own hard work) during Lenin’s NEP.  Stalin’s enforcement of collective farming against the kulaks caused a huge famine in the Ukraine, and the famine resulted in the death of an estimated 20 million victims.  In sum, the communist Stalin was one of the most brutal dictators in world history, and also one of the dumbest.

This was how the communist Stalin killed perhaps 20 million in the Ukraine.  In 1928, Stalin seized millions of private farms, and combined them into large, government-owned farms.  Stalin did this to punish the Ukrainian kulaks, who were wealthier peasants who had done well (through their own hard work) during Lenin’s NEP.  Stalin’s enforcement of collective farming against the kulaks caused a huge famine in the Ukraine, and the famine resulted in the death of an estimated 20 million victims.  In sum, the communist Stalin was one of the most brutal dictators in world history, and perhaps one of the dumbest, too.

==Nationalism in Eastern, Southern and Southwestern Asia==

==Nationalism in Eastern, Southern and Southwestern Asia==