Spanish Civil War: A Nation Divided
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Lesclat Civil War:
1.1 From time-bound for the Civil War:
-On July 17, 1936 in Melilla, Colonel Yagüe, head of the army, took up arms against the republic and the insurgency (Uprising national) spread rapidly to the rest of the Moroccan protectorate. Between 18 and 19 July, the majority of military garrisons in the rest of Spain joined the coup of state and civil sectors and Carlist Falangists (requetes). From Morocco, on the 18th, General Franco, who had already secured the triumph
Surrealism and Cubism: A Comparative Analysis of Miro and Braque
Outside Dutchman
Joan Miró
1928
Surrealism
Oil on canvas, 92 cm x 73 cm
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York
Technical Elements
The painting is an oil on canvas characterized by vibrant primary and secondary colors, creating a sense of brightness and joy. The brushstrokes are not prominent, with emphasis placed on the contours of the figures. Linework is crucial in defining forms. The lighting is bright, reminiscent of a comic book. The combination of colors creates a sense of three-dimensional space,
Read MoreGuernica: Picasso’s Cry Against War
Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Overview
Date: 1937
Style: Cubism, Surrealism, Expressionism
School: Spanish
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 3.51m x 7.82m
Location: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
Technical Elements
Picasso’s use of monochrome gives the painting a dark and tragic tone. The stark contrast of white, gray, and red emphasizes the figures and amplifies the scene’s emptiness. The absence of color and relief cuts the viewer off from the sensory world, creating a sense of death
Read MoreAbstract Expressionism: Pollock and de Kooning
Abstract Expressionism: American Art After WWII
Jackson Pollock’s “Number 1” (1948)
Formal Elements
This large canvas emphasizes grays, defined by enamel, oil paint, and alumina. Pollock used a dripping technique, emphasizing the gesture of the painter and the brushstroke. The composition features various centers of interest depending on the concentration of colors.
Style and Artist
Pollock’s work belongs to Abstract Expressionism, also known as Action Painting. This movement arose in the aftermath of
Read More19th Century Spanish Politics & Society: Restoration & Regionalism
The Restoration and Political Landscape
Republicanism and Socialism
Increasingly moderate positions emerged within republicanism. Convinced that the restoration would ensure social order, some believed that the monarchy could adopt democratic principles. This led to the creation of the posibilista Republican Party. Universal male suffrage brought a revival of republicanism and stimulated the formation of electoral alliances, grouping different republican factions except for the posibilistas. Republicanism
Read MoreSpanish Liberal Triennium and Ominous Decade (1820-1833)
Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
Colonel Rafael del Riego’s rebellion in Andalusia, proclaiming the Constitution of 1812, marked the beginning of the Liberal Triennium. The army’s inaction, liberal activism in major cities, and peasant neutrality compelled King Ferdinand VII to accept the Constitution on March 10th. A new government was formed, amnesty declared, and elections called.
The Cadiz reforms were largely reinstated, including:
- Freedom of industry
- Abolition of guilds
- Suppression of jurisdictional
Spanish War of Independence: Political Evolution and the Cortes of Cádiz
The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814)
Political Evolution
The political landscape of Spain during the War of Independence was shaped by a revolutionary process and a confrontation between patriots and pro-French factions. Within the patriot movement, there were further divisions between liberals and absolutists. The war had three main centers of action: the juntas, the guerrillas, and the Cortes.
The Juntas
Due to the power vacuum created by the French invasion, local juntas were formed in many
Read MoreThe Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814): A Nation Forged in War
The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814)
The Development of War
Napoleon’s occupation of Spain faced unexpected resistance. The Spanish victory at the Battle of Bailén forced King Joseph I to flee Madrid, and French troops retreated north. Napoleon, sending a 150,000-man army, arrived in Madrid in December 1808, reinstating Joseph I. During his time in Spain, Napoleon implemented reforms, abolishing the Inquisition, the feudal system, and convents. Meanwhile, an English army led by Wellesley (
Read MoreThe Russian Revolution and the Rise of the Soviet Union
Tsarist Russia
Russia remained an absolute monarchy under Tsarist rule. Although a parliament (the Duma) existed, its power was limited because the Tsar could convene or dissolve it at will. The economy was largely agrarian, with industry just beginning to develop. Since the late nineteenth century, political forces opposed to the Tsar had emerged, including the bourgeoisie and peasants, and revolutionary workers’ groups like the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks.
Revolution of 1905
The Tsar’s army suffered
Read MoreLabor Unrest and Political Instability in Spain: 1915-1936
Labor Unrest in Spain (1915-1930)
Labor unrest in Spain saw a significant increase between 1915 and 1930. This period encompassed the First World War, a time of strong job instability (1918-1921), the rise of political violence, and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. The war and its aftermath created economic hardship, leading to increased labor protests. The unrest accelerated at the end of the war, reaching its peak in 1920 during a major strike. Following the establishment of the dictatorship,
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