Spain Under the Bourbon Restoration and the Second Republic
The Restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy (1874-1902)
It began with Alfonso XII undergoing a dual process: political, where Canovas del Castillo secured the abdication of Queen Isabella II in favor of her son Alfonso and his acceptance after promising a constitutional government; and military, led by General Martinez Campos, who proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy, which continued after the king’s death in 1885.
The Political System of the Restoration
It was based on two pillars:
- The Constitution
Ancient Greece: Key Terms and Definitions
Here are some key terms and definitions related to Ancient Greece:
- Acropolis: A fortified gathering place at the top of a hill, which was also the site of temples and public buildings.
- Aegean Sea: The sea between the peninsula of Greece and Asia Minor, containing thousands of islands.
- Age of Pericles: The period between 461 and 429 B.C. when Pericles dominated Athenian politics and Athens reached the height of its power.
- Agora: An open area that served as a gathering place and as a market.
- Alexander
The Rise of Islam: History, Caliphates, and Expansion
The Rise of Islam
Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam
In the Saudi Middle East, polytheistic beliefs were prevalent, with Mecca serving as an important religious center. Muhammad was born in 570 and orphaned early in life. He worked as a caravan driver. At 25, he entered the service of a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he married. They had three sons and four daughters. According to Islamic tradition, the archangel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad, proclaiming him the new prophet of Allah, tasked with preaching
Read MoreSpain Under Franco: A Totalitarian Regime (1939-1975)
Spain: Franco’s Dictatorship
1. The Francoist Regime
Franco imposed a totalitarian regime similar to Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. While the Axis powers fell after World War II, Francoism persisted until 1975 with Franco’s death.
1.1. Ideological Foundations
Franco’s regime was opposed to Communism, Socialism, and the ideology of the Second Republic. Its ideological foundations were:
- Fascism: Represented by the Falange. Power was concentrated in a single person, Franco (El Caudillo). Fascist
World War II: Axis Powers Advance and Allied Victory
Invasion of the Soviet Union
In his desire to dominate Europe, and unable to occupy Britain, Hitler decided to change his war scenario. In 1941, he attacked the Soviet Union without a declaration of war. The German army (Wehrmacht) achieved great victories and reached Leningrad in the north. In the south, they occupied Ukraine, and in the center, they arrived at the gates of Moscow. As the Germans penetrated deeper into Russia, they experienced increasing difficulties in supplying and communicating
Read MoreEuropean Unification & Spanish Monarchies (1814-1874)
Italian Unification (1859-1870)
Factors that caused a growth in nationalism:
- The Congress of Vienna
- Nationalist and liberal successes in other countries
- The failure of the revolutions of 1848
- Important figures supported Italian unification
The unification process was initiated by Piedmont-Sardinia.
German Unification (1866-1871)
It began as a result of these factors:
- After the Congress of Vienna, the German Confederation was divided into 39 states, united by the Federal Diet (parliament).
- Liberal and nationalist