Historical Events tagged with "violence"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

The Reichstag Bloodbath in Berlin

January 13th, 1920 105 years ago

A significant demonstration took place in Berlin against the Weimar government, marked by severe violence on January 13, 1920. Thousands of workers gathered to demand better conditions and more radical reforms. When the police attempted to disperse the crowd, clashes erupted, leading to a tragic loss of life as demonstrators defended themselves against the police force. This brutal confrontation resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, ultimately laying bare the deep divisions within German society during the post-World War I era, as well as the ongoing struggle between revolutionary movements and the conservative establishment.

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Crime & Law

Coordinated Anarchist Bomb Attacks Across USA

June 2nd, 1919 105 years ago

Anarchists targeted officials in multiple U.S. cities with simultaneous bombings to instill fear and demonstrate their opposition to government authority. On June 2, 1919, several cities including New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. were rocked by explosions that primarily aimed to harm political figures. While the bombings succeeded in drawing attention to their cause, they also resulted in significant arrests and increased government scrutiny of anarchist activities, as law enforcement intensified their efforts against perceived radicals.

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Military & Warfare

Greek Army Occupies Smyrna and Subsequent Violence

May 15th, 1919 105 years ago

The Greek occupation of Smyrna saw the Greek army kill or wound 350 Turks. Greek commander Aristides Stergiades took action against those responsible for the violence, instituting punishment to maintain order amidst the tensions of occupation. The occupation was marked by conflict as Greek forces sought to establish control in the region, which was a flashpoint at the end of World War I and during the subsequent Greco-Turkish War.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar

April 13th, 1919 105 years ago

British Army troops, under Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, opened fire on a large crowd of unarmed demonstrators in Amritsar, India, resulting in numerous casualties. The gathering took place in Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden, during a period of rising unrest against British colonial rule. The troops targeted men, women, and children, leading to a tragic loss of life and injuries that profoundly shocked the Indian populace and drew international attention to the repressive measures of British authorities.

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Crime & Law

Mass Murder Prototype in Tetiev, Ukraine

March 25th, 1919 105 years ago

In March 1919, in the town of Tetiev, Ukraine, a violent pogrom resulted in the mass murder of Jews by local militia members. Tensions fueled by anti-Semitic sentiment and the chaos of the post-World War I period led to this horrific event, where an estimated 300 to 500 Jews were killed. The local populace, under the influence of extreme nationalist ideologies, participated in the violence, marking a dark chapter in the region’s history and foreshadowing the larger atrocities that would occur during the Holocaust.

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Crime & Law

Violence Erupts in Lwów During Post-War Turmoil

November 21st, 1918 106 years ago

In Lwów, escalating tensions culminated in violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 Jews and 270 Ukrainian Christians over three days. The violence erupted amidst the chaotic aftermath of World War I, fueled by existing ethnic and political tensions between the Polish and Jewish communities. The conflict was characterized by widespread rioting, with armed Poles targeting Jews and Ukrainians, reflecting deep-seated resentment and struggles for power in the region. The bloody episode highlighted the fragility of social harmony in post-war Eastern Europe.

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Politics & Government

Fanni Kaplan Attempts to Assassinate Lenin

August 30th, 1918 106 years ago

Fanni Kaplan, a radical Socialist, shot Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin in Moscow, critically injuring him. This act followed the assassination of Moisei Uritsky, a senior Bolshevik official, just days earlier. In response to these violent events, the Bolshevik government decreed the Red Terror, a campaign of political repression aimed at counter-revolutionaries and perceived enemies. Lenin's injury and Uritsky's death intensified the political climate of fear and repression prevalent during the Russian Civil War, illustrating the volatility of the revolutionary state.

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Politics & Government

Beginning of the Bloody March Events

March 30th, 1918 106 years ago

Tensions escalated in Baku and surrounding areas, leading to rampant violence and ethnic strife. Azerbaijani and Armenian communities became embroiled in conflict, with multiple reports of killings and property destruction. The chaos erupted due to political instability and competition for power in the region amidst the waning Russian Empire. Initial clashes quickly escalated into widespread violence, affecting thousands in Baku.

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Military & Warfare

Länkipohja: Executions of Captured Reds

March 16th, 1918 107 years ago

After the Battle of Länkipohja, the White forces executed 70 to 100 Red Guard soldiers who had surrendered. This brutal act reflected the tensions between the factions during the Finnish Civil War. The executions took place in the small village of Länkipohja, where the conflict's violence reached a grim peak. The decision to execute the prisoners sparked controversy and highlighted the ruthless nature of the civil war in Finland.

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