Spanish Historical Evolution: Constitutions & Society
Spanish Constitutions of the 19th Century
- 1812 Cádiz: National Sovereignty; Separation of powers; Proclamation of Individual Rights, legal equality; Census suffrage.
- 1837 Progressive (Espartero): National Sovereignty; Broad separation of powers; Increased rights; Denominational light; Increased right to vote (not universal suffrage).
- 1845 Moderate (Narváez): Shared sovereignty between the Crown and Courts; Rejection of separation of powers, limited individual rights; Catholic confessional state;
Europe 1919: Post-WWI Territorial Changes
Europe in 1919: The Territorial Impact of World War I
This political history map represents Europe in 1919, highlighting the territorial implications of the First World War. Between 1900 and 1914, two antagonistic blocs formed, leading to a policy of rearmament among the great powers. This period is known as the Armed Peace.
The Formation of Alliances
In 1882, the Triple Alliance was signed between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. This alliance was a cornerstone of international politics until
Read MoreSpanish Constitution 1812 & Reign of Ferdinand VII
The Spanish Constitution of 1812
Key features of the 1812 Constitution:
- Hereditary constitutional monarchy.
- Declaration of rights: inviolability of domicile, freedom of the press, legal equality, and elementary education for all.
- Confessional state.
- Indirect universal suffrage in the fourth grade.
- Creation of the Militia.
- Separation of powers:
- Legislative: Unicameral Cortes.
- Executive: Monarch.
- Judicial: Courts of Justice.
The constitution is important because it marked the beginning of Spanish constitutionalism
Read MoreThe Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin’s USSR
The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution erupted in 1917 during the First World War. It was a Bolshevik revolution that overthrew Tsar Nicholas II and established the world’s first communist state. In the early twentieth century, the Tsarist empire was extensive and dominated by monarchical absolutism, but its economy lagged behind the rest of Europe. Politically, the Tsar held the greatest power, supported by a loyal bureaucracy and army, while the Orthodox Church provided an important ideological
Read MoreDecolonization: Causes and Global Impact
Concept and Causes of Decolonization
The concept of decolonization defines the historical process by which the colonies of European empires won their independence. It was a relatively fast process, since it only lasted thirty years.
Impact of World War II
World War II showed the world the weakness of the European imperial powers: France and Britain were defeated in the first years of the conflict, and Germany and Italy were defeated at the end. The myth of invincibility was definitely broken. The European
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: 1982-2004
Spain’s Democratic Transition: 1982-2004
From 1982, Spain began a period of democratic normalcy in which two parties alternated in government: the PSOE (1982-1996) and the PP (1996-2004).
The Governments of the UCD
Once the constitution was approved, Parliament was dissolved, and elections were called for March 1979. The UCD, presided over by Adolfo Suárez, won again. The UCD gained 168 deputies, the PSOE 121, and the PCE 23 seats. The largest party on the right, Democratic Coalition, won only 10
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