Alfonso XIII’s Manifesto and the 1931 Spanish Transition
Manifesto of Alfonso XIII (April 17, 1931)
This text, published in the ABC newspaper in Madrid on April 17, 1931, represents Alfonso XIII’s declaration of intent upon leaving Spain after the municipal elections. It addresses both the government and the nation.
Analysis
Paragraph 1
Alfonso XIII explains his decision to suspend royal power and leave Spain. The election results, favoring Republicans and Socialists, indicated a shift in public opinion away from his reign’s policies. He maintains that his
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The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
The Spanish Civil War stands as a pivotal event in 20th-century Spanish history. It began in July 1936 with a military coup against the Popular Front government and concluded in April 1939 with a Nationalist victory, ushering in the Franco dictatorship and ending the Second Republic.
Causes of the War
Immediate Cause: The military insurrection of July 1936, dividing the country into two factions: those loyal to the Republic and those supporting the rebels.
Underlying
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1. The Dynastic Reformism
1.1. The Failure of the First Regenerationist Government
In 1899, Maria Cristina entrusted the formation of a government to Francisco Silvela (conservative), who then called for elections. A reform policy was instituted, but it also included a budget policy that increased taxes on essential products and created new taxes to pay for debts left by the war in Cuba. In Catalonia, this led to a boycott through non-payment (closed boxes). The Conservative government remained in
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The Tragic Week of Barcelona (1909)
The Moroccan Conflicts
From 1900, Spain consolidated its presence in North Africa. The Algeciras Conference (1906) and the Franco-Spanish Treaty (1912) established a Franco-Spanish protectorate in Morocco. Spain was tasked with administering and pacifying the Rif region (a mountainous area in the north). Spanish interests lay in economic benefits and maintaining a standing army, weakened after the Cuban War. In 1909, Spanish troops suffered a significant defeat
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The Dictablanda
On January 28, 1930, Primo de Rivera resigned, and King Alfonso XIII attempted to redirect the situation by forming a provisional government headed by General Dámaso Berenguer. This was the first step in the transition away from the constitutional regime. Political parties, representing a significant barrier (as dynastic parties had failed), were re-emerging, and the labor movement was revived.
The biggest problem was the Crown itself, which had been too involved in the dictatorship
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The American Revolution and the Birth of the United States
The Declaration of Independence
The thirteen English colonies established on the east coast of North America in the eighteenth century staged the first successful uprising against a colonial power. This revolution established the first government founded on principles of equality and liberty. On July 4, 1776, delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia and drafted the Declaration of Independence, with its preamble penned
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The Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)
Lerroux’s Government and the Rise of the CEDA
In April 1934, President Lerroux’s government dissolved, replaced by a temporary administration under Ricardo Samper Ibanez. By October, the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right (CEDA), led by Gil-Robles, forced Samper’s resignation and formed a new government with three CEDA ministers under Lerroux, with Niceto Alcalá Zamora as president. This government attempted to reverse social legislation, particularly
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The Labor Movement
The 18th century in England saw significant changes in the workplace. With the introduction of the freedom of production, which allowed for new manufacturing outside of union rules, traditional craftsmen lost their privileges. Factory owners dictated the conditions of production and hiring, leading to low wages and exhausting workdays. This sparked conflict and the emergence of workers’ associations formed by artisans facing proletarianization.
Luddism: Anti-Industrialism
Captain
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Market Structures and Competition
Market
The market encompasses all activities of buying and selling a product between companies and consumers. It forms the basis of market and mixed economies, facilitating exchange through supply and demand.
Perfect Competition
In perfect competition, goods and services are exchanged for cash. Numerous suppliers and applicants exist, with no single supplier able to modify the product price. All companies compete under the same conditions.
Imperfect Competition
Imperfect
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The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
5. Proclamation and Early Challenges
The Republic’s Birth
The First Spanish Republic emerged from the resignation of Amadeus of Savoy. On February 11, 1873, the Courts proclaimed the Republic, electing Estanislao Figueras as president. However, the Republic faced significant challenges from the outset. International recognition was limited, with only the United States and Switzerland acknowledging the new government.
Popular Support and Unrest
Despite the challenges,
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