Philip II: Reign, Iberian Union, and Conquests
Philip II: A Powerful Reign
Philip II, son of Charles I, reigned over the Hispanic possessions from 1556 to 1598.
He aimed to maintain Spain’s hegemony in Europe and ensure the triumph of Catholicism. He pursued a foreign policy that continued his father’s legacy, including the war with France. Spain won the Battle of San Quintin, leading to the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis.
His personal political focus highlighted the Mediterranean region. He suppressed the rebellion of the Moriscos in Granada from
Read MoreCarlism: Origins, Wars, and Consequences in Spain
Carlism: Core Principles
Carlism focuses on three sacred principles: God, Country, and King.
God: Carlists advocate for the union of church and state, often expressed as “altar and throne.”
Patria: They champion traditional Spain, criticizing liberals as foreign influences.
King: They believe in a monarchy as a sacred institution of divine origin, with powers not bound by any constitution.
Carlism and Regional Councils
Carlism strongly supports regional councils, particularly in the Basque Country, Navarra,
Read MoreLenin, Stalin, Roaring Twenties, and Totalitarianism
Lenin’s Government (1921-1924)
Lenin held absolute power, with the Communist Party (CPSU) as the sole political entity. He established a new political system, the USSR, comprising Russian, European, and Asian republics. The New Economic Policy (NEP) blended communist and capitalist principles, facilitating the recovery of the Soviet economy.
Stalin’s Government (1927-1953)
Stalin implemented “Stalinism,” a political system characterized by violence to eliminate opponents. The state controlled the economy,
Read MoreLiberal Revolutions: 1820, 1830, and 1848
Liberal Revolutions
Revolutions of 1820 and 1830
During the Restoration, liberals gathered clandestinely in secret societies. These companies, forming partnerships, were comprised of individuals who considered themselves heirs of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. They sought insurrection against absolutism, wielding influence in cities and hoping the people would join the uprising once initiated.
The first revolutionary wave, occurring between 1820 and 1824, caused a temporary collapse of
Read MoreWordsworth’s Poems: Spain, Basque Country, and Democracy
The 12 poems mentioning Spain and The Basque Country show that Wordsworth was a fervent democrat. The Spanish cause won his heart. He was a man who perceived the universe as an equilibrium which man is constantly upsetting. His first general approach to the Spanish question emerged in the form of two sonnets composed in November or December 1808.
Freedom and Divine Harmony
The first sonnet expresses the conviction that freedom is the natural state of the soul and therefore an integral component of
Read More1848: 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,
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