The Catholic Monarchs: Unification and Expansion of Spain
The Catholic Monarchs: A Dynastic Union
After a civil war with Juana la Beltraneja, Isabella of Castile ascended to the throne. To gain more political support, Isabella married Ferdinand of Aragon, who was then proclaimed King of Castile. This union was dynastic; the realms remained separate but under the joint rule of both monarchs.
Upon Isabella’s death, the crown of Castile passed to their daughter Joanna, known as Juana la Loca (Joanna the Mad). However, after disabling her and sending her to
Read MoreUnderstanding the European Union, Spain, and Canary Islands
Countries of the European Union
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Key EU Institutions
The Council
The main political body, attended by ministers from all member countries. Its functions include:
- Passing European laws
- Coordinating economic policies
- Approving the budget (along with Parliament)
The Old Regime: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Old Regime: Society, Politics, and Economy
The Old Regime was a set of social relations that characterized the economic and political societies of central Europe.
Function of the Old Regime
Society operated as an economic system that relied on agriculture and an absolute monarchy.
Social Structure
Class Society
- Nobility: Divided into high and low nobility. The high nobility received significant income from seignorial rights, while the low nobility did not.
- Clergy: Also divided into high and low clergy.
Understanding Economic and Urban Sectors: Key Concepts
Economic and Urban Sectors: Key Concepts
Tertiary Sector – Offers services and activities.
Tertiary Sector Economic – Encompasses all companies developing their activities (transportation, trade, advertising, etc.).
Tertiary Sector Social Welfare – Includes services that society needs (health, justice, leisure, etc.).
Directional Tertiary Sector / Higher / Quaternary – Activities related to the management, planning, and control of public institutions, enterprises, and society (public officials, senior
Read MoreSpanish Dialects: A Comprehensive Linguistic Analysis
Spanish Dialects: A Linguistic Analysis
Like all languages, Spanish is not uniform, and dialects are defined by a series of features. The lines that determine these traits are called isoglosses but are often not clearly defined. However, these differences do not impede communication between speakers because the language has cultivated norms. Thus, we can differentiate between the Castilian of the Peninsula and America, although they share many traits.
On the peninsula, we can distinguish two zones:
Read MoreSpanish Conquest of America: Territories, Governance, Economy
Spanish Exploration and Conquest of America
The exploration of new territories occurred mostly during the reign of Charles I. In 1513, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa crossed the Panama Isthmus and discovered the South Sea (Pacific Ocean). Between 1519 and 1522, Magellan and Elcano first circumnavigated the world, demonstrating that the globe was round. The conquest of the immense American territories was a rapid process (1520-1545).
- Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire (now Mexico), where he arrived with