The Old Regime, Enlightenment, and Spanish Succession
The Old Regime: Economic, Political, and Social Structures
The Old Regime was characterized by:
- Economic: Commercial activities
- Political: Absolutism
- Social: Estates system
The Enlightenment: Challenging the Old Order
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that questioned the principles of the Old Regime. Key figures included John Locke, Isaac Newton, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.
Absolute Monarchy: The King’s Unlimited Power
In an absolute monarchy, the king held absolute power without accountability.
Read MoreSpain’s 19th Century: Economy, Society, and Industry
Economic Transformations and Social Changes in 19th-Century Spain
The 19th century in Spain was marked by significant economic and social transformations. A key aspect of this period was the disentailments. Agriculture underwent a major reform with the abolition of the feudal system, primogeniture, and large-scale confiscations under Madoz and Mendizabal. These measures aimed to liberalize agriculture, allowing land to move freely in the market and removing obstacles to capitalist development. Most
Read MoreKant: Renaissance Science and the Scientific Revolution
Renaissance and Revolution (XV – XVII Century)
The Renaissance period is a bridge between the Middle Ages. The year 1453, when Constantinople fell, is considered the beginning, and 1600, the year of Giordano Bruno’s death, the end. Key features:
Change in Society: From Feudalism to Absolutism
The feudal system fell into crisis, with the nobility losing power. Kings administered through civil servants, centralizing power in the hands of the monarch, a system called absolutist monarchy. Absolutist monarchies
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: Origins, Policies, and Fall
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera lasted for seven years and consisted of two distinct forms of government: the Military Directory (1923-1925) and the Civil Directorate (1925-1930).
The Military Directory (1923-1925)
The Military Directory was presented as an interim regime aimed at resolving pending issues. It focused on institutionalizing the regime and addressing economic and social concerns. The coup was justified by claiming that the constitutional system
Read MoreWWII Aftermath: Impact, Peace Conferences & UN
Impact of World War II
When World War II ended, Europe was materially and morally destroyed, and its population was decimated. Two new powers emerged, the United States and the USSR, relegating Europe to a secondary role. The demographic balance is estimated at around 50 million deaths, almost half from the USSR, followed by Germany and Poland. For the first time in history, the majority of victims were not military personnel.
Material destruction was significant, affecting cities, infrastructure,
Read MoreLabor Movement, Socialism, and the French Revolution
Home of the Labor Movement
Home of the labor movement: They built their own organizations and claimed the first steps to remedy the injustices caused by capitalism. The proletarians responded by spreading Luddism, attacking and destroying machines. Many workers were executed. Luddism began disappearing when many workers realized that the source of the problem was not machines, but the capitalist system. They started a workers’ association. The first arose among workers in the same factory. English
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