Catholic Monarchs: Formation of Spain
Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon married in 1469. This marriage marked the beginning of a new state called the Hispanic Monarchy. It covered the crowns of both kingdoms, although each maintained its own institutions of government.
Internal Policy
Castile was the most powerful territory. Its new additions were easier to control, which explains the monarchs’ preference for this kingdom. On the other hand, in the Crown of Aragon, the king’s power was more limited.
Internal policy had the objective
Read MoreEurope in the 18th Century: Society & Politics
Primary Sector in the 18th Century
In the eighteenth century, most of the population worked in agriculture. In general, it was subsistence production on unproductive dry lands, and most of the land was devoted to growing cereals, which were the staple diet, but products for trade were also grown.
Land Ownership and Privilege
Land ownership was fundamentally in the hands of the clearly privileged.
The land of the nobility was never divided because of primogeniture, a law requiring all property to be
Read MoreEuropean Colonization of America
An encomendero received compensation for services rendered to the Crown, often in the form of taxes or labor from the indigenous population.
Portuguese, French, and English Colonization
Portuguese Colonization
The Portuguese colonization of America began motivated by economic and strategic reasons. On the economic side, because of the decline in profits from trade with the East and the commercial possibilities of Brazilwood, the bark of which produced a red dye used for coloring textiles. On the strategic
Read MoreThe Industrial Revolution: Causes and Phases
What do we call the Industrial Revolution? In the 18th century, a series of revolutionary changes took place that affected all sectors of the economy and society. Population growth, as well as transformations in agriculture, forms of production, banking, trade and transport boosted the development of modern industry.
Phases of the Industrial Revolution
- The First Industrial Revolution. The process began around 1760 in Great Britain, where numerous textile and steel factories were built. The developments
UK Maritime Power: Strategy, Economy, and Protection
UK’s Strategic Maritime Advantage
- Global maritime presence: The UK has 17 overseas territories/areas in the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans, and Mediterranean.
- Some territories are disputed, like the Falklands and Gibraltar.
- A strong role in sea diplomacy:
- London hosts the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The UK promotes international sea rules and protects its global interests.
- Supports marine environmental protection.
- A sea power: The Royal Navy is strong, ranked 6th in the world, with bases
Essential Agricultural Concepts & Practices
Sanded Cultivation (Cultivos Arenados)
A cultivation technique that uses a mixture of sand with a layer of fertile soil to allow water infiltration and prevent evaporation. It is practiced in tomato cultivation in Mazarrón and Águilas.
Crops Under Plastic
A cultivation technique that enables advancing and increasing crop yields by altering climatic characteristics (temperature, humidity). It originates from early Mediterranean agricultural products and presents different types: greenhouses, Cartagena
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