Spain in the 15th Century: Unification, Expansion, and Society
The Dynastic Union of Castile and Aragon
The Dynastic Union refers to a new model of monarchy where each kingdom maintained its autonomy and independence, despite being under the rule of the same monarchs. It was a union of crowns, not a merging of countries.
Expansion on the Iberian Peninsula
The Conquest of Granada
Isabella took possession of Granada after the death of the Muslim king. Castile then conquered the territory, culminating in its capture in 1492.
The Incorporation of Navarre
Ferdinand invaded
Read MoreDecisive Battles of the Spanish Civil War
Phase 3: The Decisive Battles
This phase of the Spanish Civil War started from a relative balance of forces. However, over twenty months of war, the balance gradually deteriorated for the insurgents.
A) The Fall of the Cantabrian Fringe (April-October 1937)
When the uprising took place in July, Oviedo in Asturias, Santander, and the provinces of Vizcaya and Guipuzcoa remained loyal to the Republic. In late 1936, Mola took San Sebastian and Irun to bridge the communication from Republican northern France.
Read MoreMarxism: Influences, Surplus Value, and Social Movements
Marxism: Main Influences and Core Concepts
Marxism, an ideology developed in the 19th century by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, drew upon several key intellectual influences.
Key Influences on Marxist Thought
G.W.F. Hegel: Dialectics
Marx adopted the concept of dialectics from G.W.F. Hegel, a prominent figure in German Idealism. Dialectics is a method of understanding history as a series of conflicts between opposing ideas (antagonisms). Each conflict leads to the emergence of a new societal structure.
Read MoreTragic Week of 1909: Causes and Consequences
Tragic Week: Causes and Consequences (1909)
A tragic week: an outbreak of conflict in Northern Africa and new failures of the Spanish army ignited popular sectors, exacerbating tempers. The economic crisis and poor living conditions were not conducive to calming the situation. Ships used to transport troops to Africa were the same ones used by the Marquis of Comillas, a property owner in Cuba, forcing the participation of the Jesuits. The church, the bourgeoisie, and the responsibility of the state
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: Constitution, Reforms, and Challenges
The Second Spanish Republic and the 1931 Constitution
The new government was composed of parties that had signed the Pact of San Sebastian, presided over by Alcala Zamora. Immediately, the government began a series of reforms and called for elections to the Constituent Cortes, which the Republican parties won. The Cortes devised the 1931 Constitution. This introduced a fully democratic regime in which all parties could be represented. Its main innovations were:
- The broad recognition of individual
Russian Revolution: Bolsheviks, Civil War, and Lenin’s Legacy
The Bolshevik Revolution
As soon as the new Bolshevik government was formed, Lenin enacted many new laws. For example, divorce was made easier, free education for all was planned, and some of the minority peoples in Russia, such as the Georgians and Ukrainians, were offered more independence. The Bolsheviks claimed to represent the proletariat, the working people, based on the Marxist theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat. Lenin advocated for the Bolshevik party to act as a dictator. Most
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