The Reign of Charles IV and the Spanish Crisis
1. The Reign of Charles IV and the Decline of the Monarchy
Charles IV’s reign was marked by the influence of Manuel Godoy, a young military officer who gained the absolute trust of the monarch. This appointment reflected the distrust Charles IV had towards the nobility and his desire to find someone he could rely on. During this time, Spain’s politics were subordinated to the interests of France. The rise of Napoleon put Spain in a difficult position, hesitant to confront the French emperor. Spain’
Read MoreVisigothic Law & Roman-Canonic Common Law
A) The Palatine Office (Oficium Palatinum)
Around the Visigoth king, there was a group of individuals called the Oficium Palatinum who performed both public and private functions. The Oficium Palatinum consisted of a series of palatine counts (comites palatini) acting as agents of the monarch, by royal delegation of power, who took care of palace government and the organization of court life.
- Comes cubiculii: Responsible for the royal chamber.
- Comes scanciarum: Managed the palace provisions.
- Comes notariorum:
Visigothic Law and Governance in the Roman Empire
Distribution of Land
The legal basis for the establishment of the Visigoths in the Roman Empire lies in the 418 foedus agreed between the Visigoth king and Emperor Honorius. This agreement, whose text is not preserved, has its origins in the Roman concept of hospitalitas (an institution mentioned in the Theodosian and Justinian Codes). Soldiers hosted under hospitalitas were obligated to share their homes, divided into thirds. The property owner chose one-third, another third was for the soldier,
Read MorePolitical and Social Upheavals in Latin America (1930-1955)
The Two Presidencies of Peron (1946-1955)
Political Trajectory
In 1930, Peron participated in the Uriburu coup d’état and then obtained an opposition position as assistant minister to the liberal democratic Guerra. His political base rested on the individual (functional democracy) and a form of Fascism based on hierarchy and a firm power structure that could bring order and secure insertion and production through representation and organization via corporatist interests.
Corporatism, “Community Organizer,
Read MoreThe Franco Regime: Transformation and Opposition in Spain
The Franco Regime: Two Eras
1939-1959: Post-War and Totalitarianism
This period saw attempts to establish a totalitarian state modeled on fascism, coupled with economic autarky.
1959-1975: Economic Development and Social Transformation
International and domestic circumstances led to a developmental stage and attempts to institutionalize the regime.
Consolidation of the Franco Dictatorship
A Totalitarian Regime
- Concentration of powers
- Rejection of the democratic system
- Single party rule
- Dictatorship
- Fundamental
Masterpieces of Classical Greek Art and Architecture
Classical Greek Masterpieces: Architecture and Art
The Parthenon
Chronology
447-432 BC
Style
Classic Greek style, built by Phidias, Iktinos, and Callicrates (supervisor).
Materials
Pentelic marble and wood.
Building System
Arquitrabe.
The Parthenon’s predecessors include an initial temple that was never finished and was replaced by the current construction. This structure, built on a human scale, predominantly features straight lines, as implied by the arquitrabe construction. Greek architecture took inspiration
Read MoreThe Spanish Empire and its Decline in the 17th and 18th Centuries
T-11: The Decline of the Spanish Empire in the Late 19th Century
In the second half of the 19th century, the only remaining territories of the Spanish colonial empire were Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and some Pacific islands. Cuba and Puerto Rico had an economy based on sugar cane harvesting, which contributed to a continuous flow of money to Spain. However, high taxes were imposed on Creoles, who were obligated to pay the Spanish government. This money was not reinvested in the islands’
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic and the Civil War (1931-1939)
The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
A New Beginning
Paradoxically, the Spanish people enthusiastically welcomed the Second Republic despite the challenges of the First Republic. This new era demonstrated the potential for self-governance. While the economic crisis of 1929 initially had a limited impact on Spain, it eventually destabilized the provisional government.
The Proclamation of the Republic
Following the elections on April 12, 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed on April 14th.
Read MoreSpain in the Early 20th Century: From Monarchy to Dictatorship
Spain in the Early 20th Century: The Monarchy of Alfonso XIII
The Disaster of ’98 and the Need for Regeneration
Spain began the 20th century reeling from the disaster of 1898. The gap between “official” and “real” Spain was evident, highlighting the need for political, economic, and social regeneration. A gradual industrial boom began, leading to the rise of an incipient middle class and proletariat. The political system, however, remained a fictional parliamentary system propped up by despotism
Read MoreSpain in the Late 19th Century: From Revolution to Restoration
The Revolutionary Sexenio (1868-1874)
Revolution of 1868
The dictatorial practices of Narváez, which weakened the monarchy of Isabella II, fueled discontent among intellectuals like Giner de los Ríos and Castelar, as well as liberal politicians and the military. The Pact of Ostend, an agreement between progressives and moderate liberals, aimed to overthrow the Queen. The bankruptcy of financial institutions in major Spanish cities triggered a political crisis, culminating in the Glorious Revolution
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