1848: A Year of Revolutionary Change in Europe
The Revolutions of 1848
The Revolutions of 1848 were the last of the three great revolutionary waves of the nineteenth century, following those of 1820 and 1830. While sharing inspiration from the principles of the French Revolution with the latter, their expansion and influence were greater, they were more radical, and they enjoyed significant popular support. They marked the opening of a new era. It was a widespread movement, occurring almost simultaneously in France, most of Italy, Switzerland,
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Manifesto: Analysis and Historical Context
Primo de Rivera Manifesto
Type: Primary historical source (provides direct contemporary information) / Circumstantial political text (manifesto) / National public.
Author: Primo de Rivera. The manifesto was published in a mass communication medium (ABC newspaper) to maximize disclosure to the Spanish people, creating a climate conducive to the coup, which began a day earlier, establishing a military dictatorship that lasted 7 years.
Historical Context: Criticism of the Restoration
The Restoration suffered
Read MoreCongress of Vienna and 19th Century Liberal Revolutions
Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)
After Napoleon’s defeat and exile to the island of Saint Helena, victorious countries met at the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. Russia, Prussia, and Austria were absolutist states; only Britain had a constitutional monarchy. They proposed three objectives in the meeting:
- Restore Absolutism (Legitimism): The kings were the only ones with legitimacy to govern.
- Holy Alliance: An alliance to protect the monarchs from any revolutionary attempts. Great Britain did not join
Bourbon Restoration in Spain: 1874-1923
The Bourbon Restoration (1874-1923)
This document examines the Bourbon Restoration in Spain, a period spanning from 1874 to 1923. The historical context is characterized by a desire for stability, initially achieved through the Bourbon Restoration and the consolidation of the Cánovas system. However, the subsequent collapse of this system led to the crisis of 1898 and renewed political instability.
The Restoration marked the return of the Bourbon monarchy and an oligarchic system of governance.
Read MoreRussian Revolution & USSR: Causes, Events, Stalinism
Causes of the Russian Revolution
- Autocratic Government: The Tsar did not look after the welfare of the people (absolutist).
- The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Fought over Manchuria. Russia was defeated.
- Appearance of Political Parties.
- The 1905 Revolution: Harsh repression, including Bloody Sunday.
- Participation in the First World War: Russia was not prepared. Millions of deaths.
The 1917 Revolution
February (Provisional Government)
- Successful revolution (women, workers, peasants, soldiers). They protested
Foreign Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
Foreign intervention played a crucial role in the development of the Spanish Civil War. The Republic attempted to involve the League of Nations against the direct intervention of Italy and Germany. However, they had to wait for a resolution to be approved, which was ultimately not implemented.
France and the United Kingdom produced a document prohibiting the sale of military equipment to Spain, aiming to prevent the internationalization of the conflict. This indirectly helped the Republic by preventing
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