The current paper examines the use of political violence during the Ruhr Uprising of 1920. Its main focus is the reaction of the SPD and the KPD to the uprising and its bloody suppression by the...Show moreThe current paper examines the use of political violence during the Ruhr Uprising of 1920. Its main focus is the reaction of the SPD and the KPD to the uprising and its bloody suppression by the Reichswehr and Freikorps. It also contextualises the Uprising and violence that followed by connecting local events in the Ruhr with national developments, such as the Kapp Putsch and international trends of post-war instability and brutality. The paper through its examination of Vorwärts and Die Rote Fahne argues that both the SPD and KPD changed their understanding of the role of violence in preserving or overthrowing the Weimar Republic, respectively. On the one hand, the KPD, weakened by the failures of 1919 did not push for the spread of revolutionary violence. On the other hand, the SPD shifted ideologically from its 1919 of understanding state-sponsored violence as necessary for preserving the integrity of the State. It now understood violence as a tool for protecting the well-being of Germany’s citizenry. A tool to be used sparingly and with restraint, because it needed popular support to be legitimate. This new understanding of state-sponsored violence was not shared by the men tasked with suppressing the Uprising. The result was another bloody chapter in the life of the young RepublicShow less
This thesis is an analysis of the intersection of kinship politics and religion in the 20th century Philippines. It discusses their cultural influence and effects on the protests and revolution...Show moreThis thesis is an analysis of the intersection of kinship politics and religion in the 20th century Philippines. It discusses their cultural influence and effects on the protests and revolution against the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. A social history conducted through interviews of witnesses, activists, and Filipino immigrants is used to contextualize major events of the 1980s. The years 1981-1987 were chosen due to the historical importance of events such as the visit of Pope John Paul II, the assassination of opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, and the EDSA revolution which toppled the dictator.Show less
In this paper, I explore the relationship between realist theory and the phenomenon of revolution. Realism, being one of the key IR theories and considering the inherently conflictual nature of...Show moreIn this paper, I explore the relationship between realist theory and the phenomenon of revolution. Realism, being one of the key IR theories and considering the inherently conflictual nature of revolutions, has surprising little to say on this topic specifically. My aim thus is to elucidate how revolutions can be understood through existing realist theory. I do this through an analysis of the key texts and authors of Classical Realism and Structural Realism, highlighting the aspects of the thought which is applicable. I wish to demonstrate that realism is a strong theoretical tool for understanding these events, and I parse out four key attributes through which to do so. Revolutions’ Amplification of material power, Challenge to the Status Quo, their Amour-Propre and their Break in Communication with other states. In all, I provide a review of Revolution and Realism thus far, identify its key theoretical tools and suggest a framework for further research.Show less
On the 24th of February,1848, the Belgian ambassador in London informed the English Foreign Minister Palmerston of the Belgian stance regarding the new developments in France. The ambassador told...Show moreOn the 24th of February,1848, the Belgian ambassador in London informed the English Foreign Minister Palmerston of the Belgian stance regarding the new developments in France. The ambassador told Palmerston that “a republican France was an aggressive and conquering France.” The memories of the French Revolutionary Wars and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars were still fresh in Europe. Had it not been a French Republic that had threatened the European Balance of Power, subduing the existing states and creating puppet states across the continent? A French Republic that had turned on its rightful king and deposed him before trying to subjugate the lawful order in Europe? The same Republic that had turned into an imperial power under the guidance of Napoleon the likes of which had not been seen since the days of Rome? The parallels to the events of 1789 had to have been frightening to the crowned heads of Europe and their governments. On the 24th, Frederick William IV of Prussia informed Victoria of Britain that he looked at France in fear of a new European war. In the newly formed nation of Belgium, the news of the new French Revolution was met with dread in governmental circles. In the Netherlands, the messages from the French capital of Paris were met with anticipation and uneasiness. When Tsar Nicholas heard of the news he reacted calmly, but immediately stated that Russia would march to war if any infractions were made on existing treaties. He also put a million more rubles at the disposal of the war ministry. Additionally, he wrote a letter to Victoria that a Russo-British union as discussed in 1844 may be needed to ensure stability in Europe. The general consensus at the time among the leaders of European nations was that war was inevitable. France was militarily, by virtue of its population, still one of the most powerful nations on the continent and if it would lead to war, it would mean untold destruction in a display that would appear to be a replica of the events that had happened a little over three decades ago. In the Low Countries, the subject of this thesis, the consequences of the Belgian Revolution of 1830 were still felt strongly. The Belgian Revolution had broken out after the July Revolution in Paris, that had seen the Orleanist take-over of France. It seemed likely that this new French Revolution, a Republican Revolution this time, would also move beyond the borders of France into the Low Countries and bring about another time of violence and war in Belgium and the Netherlands. Except history does not move in predictable patterns. Knowledge of the past does not make one a seer and although a war may have seemed inevitable, it was avoided nonetheless. The diplomatic crisis surrounding this new French Revolution however, is often downplayed in historical works, which have mostly focused on the spread of Revolution across the continent when discussing 1848. Yet, revolution and war were intrinsically linked at the time, especially if that revolution occurred in France. A Revolutionary France would mean a threat to European peace and the balance of power, but it was also a beacon for revolutionaries across the continent who felt supported by a Republican France that might come to their aid, militarily if need be. It may ultimately have been the case that no war in Europe erupted in 1848, but this does not mean that war had not loomed large over the governments of the Low Countries and Europe in general. A manifesto by the French Foreign minister of the Provisional Government Lamartine was sent to all the other courts of Europe one week after the initial Revolution in Paris. It had the intent of unlinking war and revolution (in France), because they were so intrinsically linked in the mind of the 19th century governments. The main objective of the manifesto was legitimising the rule of the Provisional Government and to make sure the reactionary powers would not see the new French Republic as an existential threat. The traumas of the French Revolutionary Wars were specifically addressed. If we consider Lamartine’s manifesto and the Belgian ambassador’s words, this parallel of revolution in France and war was very much on the minds of the contemporary players of the international game of diplomacy.Show less
This thesis examines the views of Khomeini, Shariati and Motahhari on several aspects of womanhood such as gender equality and marriage. Furthermore, it examines which of these ideas have been...Show moreThis thesis examines the views of Khomeini, Shariati and Motahhari on several aspects of womanhood such as gender equality and marriage. Furthermore, it examines which of these ideas have been translated into the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. By understanding which religious figures have been influential and which laws dictate the lives of women, I have tried to understand what is expected from women and what their position in society is. The constitution of Iran was an important source to understand the framework in which the position of women is decided. A critical review of the ideas of the three religious figures show that there are several problems with the translation of their ideas and the notion of equality as presented in the constitution into practice. Women in fact do not have the same rights as their male counterparts as the constitution states. Examples of this are the mandatory hijab and unequal divorce rights. Furthermore, there is a lot of intentional vagueness in the constitution in order to limit the rights of women. The thesis concludes that it has been mostly the ideas of Khomeini and Motahhari have been implemented into the constitution. Shariati’s ideas, that can be categorized as more modern and socialist than the other two religious figures, have been implemented to a lesser extent. Khomeini, Motahhari and Shariati all agree men and women have equal rights. However, the implementation of this into practice is problematic.Show less
Hong Kong have seen several large protests since the handover in 1997. These protests seems to have been emerged out of a growing discontent with the meddling of China in to its affairs. Hong Kong...Show moreHong Kong have seen several large protests since the handover in 1997. These protests seems to have been emerged out of a growing discontent with the meddling of China in to its affairs. Hong Kong is a "Special Administrative Region" of China, it operates under the "One Country Two System" principle, which means it has its own government and can govern itself. Currently Hong Kong has once again been affected by ongoing anti-government demonstrations for over half a year. It seems that the protest also indicates a growing concern for the stipulated principle of “One Country Two Systems”. This paper will try to answer the question: Why do a large group of people in Hong Kong perceive the principle of “One Country Two Systems” as problematic? It will do so by conducting a discourse and thematic analysis on the slogans used in this protest. It is suggested that the slogans show a unique Hong Kong identity that can in part cause implications for the current principle of “One Country Two Systems”Show less
The thesis treats the manifestation of the national pride of Burkinabe after the revolution of 2014. The inquiry is situated between the revolutions of 1984, when Thomas Sankara came to power, and...Show moreThe thesis treats the manifestation of the national pride of Burkinabe after the revolution of 2014. The inquiry is situated between the revolutions of 1984, when Thomas Sankara came to power, and the one of 2014, when his successor Blaise Compaoré has been overthrown. The analysis focuses on a fashion brand, musical videoclips and a political party all of them inspired by the concept of Burkindi, as developed in the aftermath of the last revolution. The method implemented to substantiate the analysis is the one of close reading, that enable to understand and discuss the cultural practices and beliefs together with the textual analysis of the cultural artifacts. In addition, the thesis describes the historical and political roots of Burkina Faso, in order to help the reader have the necessary background to understand the peculiarity of the concept of Burkindi, manifestation of the national pride of the Burkinabe people.Show less
Why are many countries in Africa still underdeveloped? This thesis argues that the enduring political instability is fundamentally caused with the colonial structures inherited from the colonial...Show moreWhy are many countries in Africa still underdeveloped? This thesis argues that the enduring political instability is fundamentally caused with the colonial structures inherited from the colonial power before decolonization. While the African revolution started to liberate themselves from the colonizers, they have not liberated themselves from the colonial systems.Show less
The textual discourse on women's education between 1989 and 1925 in China went through major changes. First of all women's magazines became a new genre within the textual discourse. Many...Show moreThe textual discourse on women's education between 1989 and 1925 in China went through major changes. First of all women's magazines became a new genre within the textual discourse. Many trailblazers, for instance Xue Shaohui, Liang Qiachao and others helped set up girl's schools. The definition of the “New Woman” changed from meaning educated to become a better wife and mother to educated and cosmopolitan for one's own sake. By using three case studies, I show how in the New Culture era female education became more important as well as more widespread. These case studies show how important female education was to the textual discourse and suggest that the textual discourse helped to educate women during 1989-1925 in China.Show less
This thesis is about the development in the institutional position of the Iranian clergy between 1953-1979 through the lens of New Institutionalism. In the thesis an overview of the role of the...Show moreThis thesis is about the development in the institutional position of the Iranian clergy between 1953-1979 through the lens of New Institutionalism. In the thesis an overview of the role of the clergy in the decennia leading up to the Islamic Revolution is presented.Show less
This thesis shall address the factors that influenced the development of Nicaragua’s revolutionary movement in order to assess whether the Nicaraguan case fell under the umbrella of the Domino...Show moreThis thesis shall address the factors that influenced the development of Nicaragua’s revolutionary movement in order to assess whether the Nicaraguan case fell under the umbrella of the Domino Theory, or whether it was a legitimate, autonomous national movement that sought national change. In order to best represent this, the National Nicaraguan Literacy Crusade of 1980 shall be employed as a case study, and the reasons behind its implementation and its political use shall be addressed in order to present that, despite foreign influence and the Cold War politics at the time, the revolutionary movement in Nicaragua was the result of an accumulation of national internal factors that resulted from the genuine revolutionary urge within the country.Show less
A unique perspective on the personal development of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara towards the Cuban revolution, using the Bhagavad Gita as an interpreting tool.
In deze scriptie wordt gepoogd een overtuigend argument te maken voor het bestaan van een langer, gedeeld, ideologisch conflict tussen Amerika en Rusland, waarmee de Koude Oorlog te beschouwen valt...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt gepoogd een overtuigend argument te maken voor het bestaan van een langer, gedeeld, ideologisch conflict tussen Amerika en Rusland, waarmee de Koude Oorlog te beschouwen valt als slechts een gemilitariseerde, maar absoluut unieke, piek in een langere geschiedenis van ideologische antipathie. In dat opzicht sluit het betoog zich impliciet enigszins aan bij de school historici die de oorzaken van de Koude Oorlog primair, vaak in antwoord op revisionistische theorieën, zoeken in de rol van ideologie. Het antwoord wordt gezocht in bronnen die verhalen over de visie van voornamelijk Amerikaanse diplomaten, hoogwaardigheidsbekleders, journalisten, schrijvers, politici en academici in verschillende lezingen, publicaties en briefwisselingen. De nadruk ligt op de late negentiende eeuw.Show less
Most of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of...Show moreMost of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of economic policy. This thesis examines the relationship between the economic policy and the continuity of Indonesian state during the revolution period. It analyzes how the state built its policy, what the policies were and what the implications were for the country development. I argue, despite there is a belief that considers the revolution period is “a history no change”, several economic policies had an impact to the state within the decolonization framework.Show less
An analysis is given of two potential revolutionary situations in order to find out whether the actions by potential revolutionaries can be considered revolutionary at all.
