Spanish Restoration: Political System and Key Figures
The Regeneracionista era saw the rise of the Fusionist Liberal Party, later known as the Liberal Party, founded in 1880. Its principal leader was Matthew Práxedes Sagasta. The party’s programmatic bases included universal male suffrage, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and free trade. Electoral manipulation and chieftaincy were crucial to the effectiveness of the agreed-upon turn (turnismo), which was essential for controlling the entire electoral process. First, electoral districts were
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Characteristics, and Consequences
1.1 Causes of World War I: There were territorial conflicts between France and Germany over the possession of Alsace and Lorraine, and between Italy and Austria-Hungary over Istria and Trent. Nationalist conflicts existed in the larger empires, where some minorities claimed independence. This was the case in the Balkans, where different national identities were fighting against the oppression of the Austrian and Turkish empires. There were also colonial conflicts between the competing colonizing
Read MoreAmerican Revolution: Causes and Path to Independence
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783, leading to the Declaration of Independence and the freedom of America from the British. The American Patriots in the Thirteen Colonies won independence from Great Britain, becoming the United States of America. They defeated the British in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) in alliance with France and others.
While the exact cause of the Revolution is complex, many important social, cultural,
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: Key Players & Pacts
The Spanish Democratic Transition: From Franco to Democracy
1. The Dawn of Democracy: Franco’s Death and the Initial Steps
The death of Francisco Franco marked the beginning of Spain’s transition to democracy. This process aimed to avoid societal collapse and had the support of both the Crown and anti-Francoist sectors.
- Arias Navarro’s Presidency: Juan Carlos de Borbón was appointed King of Spain, legitimized by Franco himself, but with reformist ideals. His first acts included appointing Torcuato
Spain’s Crisis: 1898 Disaster & Dictatorship
The Disaster of 1898 to the End of Alfonso XIII’s Reign
The Crisis of 1898
The main crisis during the Regency of Mª Cristina was the insurrections in Cuba and the Philippines.
The promise of autonomy given to Cuba was not fulfilled. Political issues created strong tension between the colony and the metropolis, which, added to the protectionist economic policy, made Cuba a space reserved for Spanish producers, hampering trade with the U.S., a major buyer of Cuban products in the late nineteenth century.
Read MoreThe 1929 Crisis and the Rise of Fascism in Italy
The 1929 Crisis: Causes and Consequences
Private enterprise, fueled by a philosophy of encouraging consumption and financial speculation, drove the market to a breaking point. On Thursday, October 24, 1929, over 13 million shares went on sale without sufficient demand, causing investor distrust and widespread bankruptcy.
Causes of the 1929 Crisis
The causes were linked to the protectionist measures of the ruling Republican administration:
- The Customs Tariff: Raised tariffs, reducing trade with the United