A Concise History of Spain: From Napoleonic Wars to Democracy
Napoleon
Bonaparte invaded the peninsula and imposed a king to his brother Joseph Bonaparte, who replaces Carlos úlltimo undertakes IV.Este exile with his seguidores.La Napoleonic invasion triggered the War of Independence (1808-1814) , which ends with dismissal from the army francés.Durante war, the Spanish were up in arms, meet the Cortes of Cadiz and is prepared 1812.El Constitution creates new text clashes among liberals, those who advocate the introduction the constitutional text and the supporters of non-absolutist aplicación.Fernando VII (son of Charles IV) leads the latter group.
After the death of Ferdinand VII, in 1833, the throne passes to his minor daughter (Elizabeth II). The minority of the heir led to a period of regency: Maria Christina (mother ) 1833-1840 and Geeral Espartero (1840-1843). Elizabeth II ascends the throne in 1843 (13 years). Liberals sided with Elizabeth II and clashed with supporters of Prince Charles, brother of Fernando VII.El conflict between the Elizabethan and supporters of Prince Charles led to three wars carlistas.Fueron wars between 1833 and 1876.En this time the power was held by the Liberals who initiated the modernization of the country.
El Sexenio Revolutionary:
The Carlist wars left the country in a state of stagnation. The constant clash between liberals and conservatives in a deeper instability triggers a política.En 1868 bourgeois revolution (The Glorious) that puts an end to the monarchy of Elizabeth II.Se adopted the 1869 Constitution and establishing the democratic monarchy of Amadeo I of Savoy (1870-1873). After his abdication, for lack of support, proclaimed the First Republic (1873-1874). The successive political changes will not help improve the political situation.
Catering:
Spain is entering a new period of stability with the military coup that establishes again the Bourbon monarchy in the person of Alfonso XII (son of Elizabeth II). The Reign of Alfonso XII (1875-1885). The premature death of Alfonso XII in 1885 opened the period of the regency of Maria Christina of Austria (1885-1902) until the age of Alfonso XIII (1902-1923). Approving the 1876 Constitution which recognized the sovereignty of the people shared with the crown. Spain is experiencing a situation of defeat with the lifting of the Spanish colonies of Cuba and Filpino in 1898. After the war, Spain lost its possessions in America.
The period beginning in 1902, with the ascent of King Alfonso XIII, and concludes in 1923 with the establishment of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, was characterized by an ongoing political crisis intervention política.El Alfonso XIII (did not respect the role of arbitrator which theoretically should play) and support the most conservative sectors of the army led to support for the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.Elemento key discredit the monarchy.
Primo de Rivera:
Miguel Primo de Rivera, Captain General of Catalonia, rebelled on 13 September 1923. The coup was immediately with the support of King Alfonso XIII.
The rebels declared a state of war, the suspension of constitutional guarantees and the dissolution of the Cortes. The regime of the 1876 Constitution was replaced in the midst of popular indifference and with little resistance from a military dictatorship.
Several factors explain the military dictatorship began to be viewed as a solution to the country criss among the gentry, much of the middle classes and the Army:
– Discontent of the Army after the disaster of Annual.
– The rise of peripheral nationalisms and the rise of Republicans and the labor movement.
– The victory of fascism in Italy after the March on Rome in 1922 and the rise of Mussolini.
The Second Republic (1931-1936) and the Civil War (1936-1939):
On April 14, 1931, proclaimed the Second Republic. The amplitude of the popular movement that led to King Alfonso XIII, isolated and without support, to go into exile. Presidents of the Republic “Niceto Alcala-Zamora (1931-1936). -Manuel Azaña (1936-1939). The reformist biennium (1931-33): In December 1931, approved the new constitution, a new period began with a government headed by Manuel Azaña and trained by Left Republicans and Socialists. Spain opened a period of major reforms (universal suffrage, reform education, reform graria, secular state …) The Government of the Republic had to face stiff opposition. Spain was polarized between the “right” and “left.” The radical biennium (1934-36): In November 1933, new elections were called. In an environment of radical right-wing parties won the elections left grouped in the Popular Front. Street riots were started between groups and militias Falangists anarchists and socialists. Tensions were rising. Since the army was preparing a military uprising. The military uprising that triggered the Civil War began in Melilla on 17 July 1936, on 18 and 19 are expanded to the peninsula and archipelago.
Franco:
The new system introduced in 1939 concentrated all political power in Francisco Franco, the leader. The dictator’s political system based on the prohibition of political parties, coupled with a brutal crackdown that had supported the Republic. The years following the war were marked by the scars of Civil War, starvation, destruction, international isolation, censorship … During the fifties liberización starts a slight parallel to the opening of Spain to the outside. Spain joins the UN in 1955. In the sixties, begins a developmental process in which Spain joined the European industry. The tourism boom has important implications for the economy but also in customs and attitudes. After Franco’s death (20 November 1975), Juan Carlos I was crowned king as Franco had decided. Initiating a complex transition process that would take a dictatorship to a democratic system.
The democratic transition:
The new monarch was as determined as prudent in their efforts to ensure rapid democratic process, transforming the institution he embodied in a ìmonarquía for all españolesî. However, it was not an easy task. It was necessary legal conditions ìrespetarî Franco inherited, along with most of their political parties.
1976: Arias Navarro, who continued as head of government, soon proved its inability to ensure a smooth transition, while a number of serious incidents, such as Victoria, Montejurra and pro-amnesty demonstrations were taking place across the country. Finally, Arias Navarro resigns from office and replaced by Adolfo Suarez (July).
The new government proposes some cuts with two cameras and requested to allow workers to organize their own unions apart from ìsindicatos verticalesî.
The courts approved the Political Reform Act, which is also ratified by a referendum.
1977: The government revoked the Articles of Associations Act that gave the power to reject the legalization of any political party.
Spain and the Soviet Union announced the establishment of full diplomatic relations. Ten parties are legally recognized, including the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), the Popular Socialist Party and the Christian Democratic Party. A royal decree practically dissolves the National Movement. The Government recognizes the Communist Party (PCE). The Union of Democratic Center (UCD) obtains a majority in general elections (June). The king signed three decrees that return to a certain extent self-government to Catalonia. The Government approves the provisional pre-autonomy of the Basque Country.
1978: The Spanish people approved by a majority of 88% the new Constitution, which defines Spain as a parliamentary monarchy.
1980: The Basque Country and Catalonia became legally autonomous regions.
1981: Suárez resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo. The fall of UCD and the change of prime minister coincided with the anxieties of the remains of the authoritarian regime to destroy democracy. A group of Civil Guards stormed the Congress and held hostage while Mr Major General in command of the military regions of the State supported the coup, ordering his troops to occupy Valencia. The decisive intervention of King aborted coup attempt and the Spanish defended their democracy. This later weakened the government and the ruling party.
1982: On October 28 new general elections are held. The PSOE won an absolute majority. Felipe González is inaugurated as Prime Minister. This event can be regarded as the culmination of the transition period and represented the final consolidation of the democratic process.