19th Century Spain: Demographics, Social Structure, and Culture
1. Demographics
Throughout the 19th century, Spain’s birth rate remained among the highest in Europe, never falling below 3%. This was due to various factors, including the persistently high infant mortality rate. Malthusian practices were not observed. Mortality remained above 20%. Three major cholera waves between 1834 and 1885 caused half a million deaths, with a mortality rate of 1/3. This high fatality rate stemmed from poor social hygiene and the use of cesspits until the mid-century when sewers
Read MoreChallenges and Transformations in Spanish Fisheries and Industry
Problems in Spanish Fisheries and Industry
Fisheries
Demographic Problems
The fishing workforce is scarce, aging, and unskilled.
Economic Problems
- The fishing fleet is too large relative to fishing opportunities and has a high average age.
- Fleet reduction has been achieved through early retirements and shipbreaking.
- Fleet renovation and modernization have been aided, but aid is limited to vessels under 400 GT.
- There is little economic diversification and insufficient use of telecommunications and new technologies.
Feudalism and the Ancien Régime: A Socio-Political Overview
Seigneurial Rights
Lords received income and benefits based on their land ownership. These economic rights stemmed from the exploitation of their properties, with peasants performing various tasks (personal prestations). The lord also required fees for using monopolies and exercised jurisdictional powers over a broader territory. This included the tithe, where farmers gave a tenth of their crops to the church.
The Estates System
The Ancien Régime society was divided into three closed classes determined
Read MoreCapitalism and the Industrial Revolution: A Transformative Era
Capitalism
An economic system based on the accumulation of capital through economic liberalism.
The Factory System
All activities taking place in a factory, aimed at mass production. This system replaced individual industrial productivity.
Economic Liberalism
The transition from a limited market economy to a liberal economy based on principles like private property, free enterprise, free contracts, free labor, and a self-regulating market.
The Industrial Revolution
Changes in Production
Characterized by
Read MoreA Journey Through Spanish-Islamic Art and Architecture
Muslim Influence in Spain
Muslim: The arrival of Islam in Spain began with the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 CE. This period saw a flourishing of Islamic culture, particularly during the Caliphate era (929-1031 CE) with Cordoba as its capital. Islamic architecture in Spain is characterized by its unique blend of aesthetics and functionality. Key features include:
- The use of cubic volumes, often exceeding the size of traditional brick or stone structures. Plaster and wood were commonly
The Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages: Al-Andalus & Christian Kingdoms
The Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages: Al-Andalus
Political Evolution: Conquest, Emirate, and Caliphate of Córdoba
Taking advantage of the internal crisis of the Visigoth kingdom, engulfed in a power struggle, Berber Muslim troops led by Tariq crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 711, beginning the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The conquered territory became a new province or emirate, Al-Andalus. Until 756, the Umayyad family ruled the empire from Damascus. In that year, the Abbasids seized
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