The Ominous Decade: Absolutism, Succession, and Spanish American Independence
The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)
Return to absolutism, liberal opposition against terror, economic inefficiency, and pressure from ultra-reactionaries, who formed a right-wing movement against Fernando VII, whose absolutism was considered too moderate.
- Torrijos and Mariana Pineda were sentenced to death. They were liberal activists, processed and executed.
- The so-called “boards of faith” censored and monitored publications for liberal propaganda.
- Restriction of expenditure: Ferdinand distanced himself
Cadiz Cortes: Revolution, Constitution, and Legacy (1808-1812)
The Cadiz Cortes: A Turning Point in Spanish History
During the war years in Cadiz, a political revolutionary process unfolded, marking a break from the absolutism of the past. With Charles IV and Ferdinand VII having renounced the throne, a vacuum of authority emerged, challenging the legitimacy of the monarchy and the acceptance of taxation. The sovereignty of royal power shifted to the people.
The Boards and the Rise of Popular Sovereignty
The Boards demonstrated the spontaneous participation of
Read MoreFrench Revolution: Absolutism to Constitutional Monarchy
Absolutism and its Transformations
Absolutism: In the late seventeenth century, political transformations began in Holland and England, limiting the power of the absolute monarchy. Simultaneously, enlightened ideas led to reform experiences known as enlightened despotism in many countries.
Causes of the French Revolution
The causes of the revolution: By 1789, France faced a deep economic and social crisis. Poor harvests since 1760 caused rising food prices and widespread discontent.
The Beginning of
Read MoreWorld War II: Demographic, Economic, and Moral Consequences
Consequences of World War II
Demographic Impact
World War II left a trail of devastation. Over 55 million people died, with approximately half of those deaths occurring in the Soviet Union, followed by Germany and Poland. Poland experienced, in relative terms, the greatest loss of civilian population. The number of wounded reached 35 million, and approximately 3 million people disappeared. This highlights a new dimension of the catastrophe: the profound impact of mortality among the civilian population.
Read MoreUnderstanding Spanish History: Restoration to Franco’s Dictatorship
The Spanish Restoration (1874-1931)
The Restoration refers to the period that began in 1874 after the First Spanish Republic ended. Alfonso XII was restored to the throne following a coup d’état by Martinez Campos. This era concluded in 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
The Turno System
The Turno System was implemented in Spain during the Restoration by Antonio Canovas del Castillo. It was a method of rigging elections and ensuring that both establishment parties had a turn
Read MoreIsabel II’s Reign: Regencies, Carlist Wars, and Liberal State
Isabel II (1833-1843): The Regencies
In 1833, Ferdinand VII died, and his daughter Isabel II inherited the crown at the age of three. Until she was declared of age in 1843, two people successively assumed the regency: first, her mother Maria Cristina (from 1833 to 1840), and secondly, General Espartero (1840-1843). This period was characterized by governmental instability, with over twenty different governments during the decade. This instability was largely due to the First Carlist War, which erupted
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