Spain’s Bourbon Era: Succession, Enlightenment, and Reforms
The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713)
Charles II died, naming Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, as his successor, who became Philip V. This marked the arrival of the Bourbon dynasty.
Factions formed within and outside Spain, supporting either Philip V or Archduke Charles of Habsburg. This led to a civil war and a wider European conflict.
The rising French hegemony and the feared union of the French and Spanish crowns under the same monarch prompted Britain and the Netherlands
Read More20th Century European Political Systems and Conflicts
Stalin’s Dictatorship and the Great Purges
Joseph Stalin, who had held the position of Party Secretary since 1922, soon initiated a phase of concentrated power, using purges to eliminate any individual opposing his ideas. Between 1935 and 1938, Russian society was subjected to a process of ‘debugging’ or cleansing. Terror became the most common weapon in the hands of the political police. A new constitution, approved in 1936, announced ‘democratic freedoms,’ which were, in reality, exercised as a
Read MoreSpain Under Late Francoism: Economic Growth and Social Dynamics
The Franco Dictatorship: 1959-1975
The economic development that occurred in Spain during the Franco dictatorship (1959-1975) resulted in significant changes. The most important were: an increase in population, explained by a decrease in the mortality rate; the dominance of cities and tertiary activities; and a rural exodus of over 4 million Spaniards changing residence.
The industrial working class largely came from the countryside and therefore lacked professional qualifications. The middle classes
Read MoreUnderstanding the French Revolution: Key Events and Eras
The French Revolution: Causes and Context
The French Revolution was a dramatic period of change that included the fall of a government and the transformation of the social and economic order in France. France became bankrupt because privileged people didn’t pay taxes, and the royal family spent large amounts of money on palaces and luxury goods. In addition, the French state participated in costly military conflicts, such as the American War of Independence. To solve the national bankruptcy, King
Read MoreNineteenth Century History: Liberalism, Imperialism, and Spain’s Evolution
19th Century European Political Systems and Imperialism
Liberalism
A political system that emerged in 19th-century Europe, originating notably in England and France. Key characteristics included:
- Universal male suffrage (though often limited initially).
- Freedom of religion and expression.
Prominent political parties of the era included Liberal, Conservative, and Labor parties.
Context: The women’s suffrage movement, particularly active around 1933, advocated for women’s right to vote.
Glossary: Rigging:
Read MoreThe Catholic Monarchs: Unifying Spain and Shaping a New Era
The Dynastic Union of Castile and Aragon
The marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1469 marked the dynastic union of two major Hispanic crowns: Castile and Aragon. However, this union was purely dynastic, not political, as neither Isabella nor Ferdinand intended to create a unitary and centralized monarchy.
TheConcordia de Segovia stipulated the conditions under which the monarchs would rule on an equal footing across all their territories. Crucially, each kingdom retained
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