Argentina in the 1940s: War, Coups, and Perón’s Rise
Argentina in the 1940s
The World at War and Argentina’s Neutrality
The 1940s began with the world engulfed in World War II. Despite the global conflict, Argentina maintained its neutrality, a stance it had also held during World War I (1914-1918). This allowed the nation to continue trading with its primary partners. However, this neutrality would become increasingly strained as the decade progressed.
Political Upheaval and the Rise of Perón
In 1943, Argentina experienced its second coup d’état,
Read MoreUnderstanding the Feudal System: A Deep Dive into Medieval Society
The Feudal System: A Comprehensive Overview
3.3. Defining Feudalism
Feudalism, a cornerstone of classical history, is widely recognized for its feudal-vassal institutions. Modern historiography views feudalism as a system of dependency relationships that shaped medieval society. The traditional understanding of vassalage emphasizes a personal bond between lord and vassal, involving an exchange of loyalty, protection, and service. The vassal typically received a grant of land (a fief) in return for
Read MoreVisigothic Law and the Liber Iudiciorum
Christianity
Origins and Development
Christianity originated from the teachings of Christ, found in sacred texts written after his time. Within the Jewish context, Christ was seen as the Messiah. After his death, a set of beliefs formed, leading to the separation of Christianity from Judaism. This new faith centered on salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection.
Open to all, Christianity required only baptism and Eucharist, regardless of ethnicity. Key features of its development include:
- Gradual
Almagro’s Expedition to Chile: A Chronicle of Conquest
Getting Ready
Almagro’s Preparations
Diego de Almagro commenced preparations for his Chilean expedition under promising circumstances. News of gold south of Cuzco, purportedly abundant and easily obtainable, spurred the recruitment of 500 Spaniards, many of whom were veterans of Almagro’s Peruvian campaign. His forces also included around 100 enslaved Africans and 1,500 Peruvian yanaconas tasked with transporting weapons, clothing, and provisions.
Inca Deception
The Incas, however, had disseminated
Read MoreSpanish History: From Roman Conquest to 18th Century
Stages of Roman Conquest
In the 3rd century BC, Rome and Carthage clashed for control of the Western Mediterranean. In 219 BC, Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, attacked Sagunto (an ally of Rome). The Romans considered this a breach of the Ebro Treaty, thus beginning the Second Punic War (218-206 BC) and the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. Stages:
- Occupation of the Mediterranean Coast (218-170 BC): In 218 BC, Romans landed in Ampurias. In 209 BC, Scipio Africanus took New Carthage. By
Humanization & Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula: A Historical Overview
Humanization in the Iberian Peninsula
The process of humanization began in Africa 5 million years ago. Homo ergaster migrated from Africa approximately 1.5 million years ago, evolving into Homo erectus in Asia and Homo antecessor in Europe. The oldest Homo antecessor remains (800,000 BC) were discovered in Atapuerca, Burgos. These tall, strong hominins, with a cranial capacity of around 1000cm3, were hunter-gatherers. Remains of Homo heidelbergensis, dating back 300,000 years, have also been found
Read MoreThe Decline of Spain’s Parliamentary Monarchy Under Alfonso XIII
The Monarchy of Alfonso XIII
Early 20th Century Spain
Spain began the 20th century reeling from the disaster of 1868. The gap between “official” and “vital” Spain was evident, necessitating the regeneration of the political, economic, and social systems. Industrial growth began, leading to the emergence of a middle class and proletariat. The political system, however, remained a fictional parliamentary system propped up by the oligarchy, characterized by caciquismo and electoral fraud, even after
Read MoreThe Rise of Basque Nationalism and the Reign of Isabel II
The Rise of Basque Nationalism
Sabino Arana, the engine of Basque nationalism, gathered and formalized burgeoning nationalist ideas circulating in Basque society in the 1890s. On July 31, 1895, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) was founded with an anti-Spanish declaration and a goal of restoring traditional Basque territory and legal order. Initially, the PNV remained small, attracting only Arana’s closest followers. To broaden its support, the party expanded its base to include the modern industrial
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: From Democracy to Civil War
The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939)
The Second Republic, a pivotal moment in Spanish history, began in 1931 and concluded with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The municipal elections of April 12th witnessed the downfall of the monarchy. Consequently, on April 14th, the Republic was proclaimed in Eibar and subsequently in several other cities. By nightfall, members of the Revolutionary Committee assumed control of the government and declared the Republic. Following the counsel of Romanones,
Read More20th Century Hispanic Novels and Short Stories
The Hispanic Novels and Short Stories in the Second Half of the 20th Century
The Evolution of Latin American Fiction
The evolution of Latin American fiction during the 20th century can be described in five movements:
- Initial Years of the Century: Remains faithful to 19th-century realism.
- From 1920: Realism is consolidated with American themes and social interest.
- Years 40 and 50: Follow one another refreshing experience, consistent with social stress.
- Years 60 to 70: There is a boom of the new narrative,