Spanish Crisis: Cadiz Courts & 1812 Constitution (1808-1814)
Crisis of the Ancient Regime (1808-1814): Courts of Cadiz and 1812 Constitution
Influence of the French Revolution and Consequences of the Alliance with Napoleon
The new King Charles IV and his minister Floridablanca tried to avoid the influence of the French Revolution. To that end, they established strong controls on customs and censorship to isolate Spain from France.
After a short period in office for Aranda, Charles IV appointed Godoy as Prime Minister. When Louis XVI was executed in France, the
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: Key Campaigns and Aftermath
The Evolution of the Fronts: Campaigns Around Madrid
On the Nationalist side, Franco was chosen as chief military commander at a meeting in Salamanca (21 September 1936), and given the title Generalísimo. Franco won another victory on 27 September when his troops relieved the Alcázar in Toledo. This gave Madrid time to prepare a defense, and was a personal success for Franco. In the North of Madrid (Guadarrama and Somosierra) the troops of Mola were stopped. However, the Francoist troops reached
Read MoreBritish Monarchy: Stuarts, Hanoverians, and Acts of Union
The Later Stuarts and William of Orange
After the Stuarts, James II caused fears of a Catholic restoration. William of Orange was invited to take the throne and sailed to England with an army. James II fled to France, and William and Mary were crowned joint monarchs in 1689.
The Eighteenth Century (1688-1789)
House of Hanover
Mary died in 1694, leaving William as sole ruler. The succession was problematic as neither William nor James II’s daughter, Anne, had children. Fears existed that the
Read MoreAftermath of the Spanish Civil War: Consequences and Beneficiaries
The Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War had a tragic impact on Spain, resulting in deaths, disappearances, widespread exile, repression, and significant economic losses. However, some groups benefited from the new political and social landscape.
Deaths and Disappearances
The war resulted in approximately 1 million population losses, with about 300,000 deaths on the battlefields. Additionally, around 200,000 people were shot and killed by both sides. The Franco regime continued
Read MoreIsabel II Reign & Democratic Sexennium: Spain’s 19th Century
General Espartero’s Regency
He gave special attention to the reorganization of the administration, taxation, and finances, and he created the National Militia. He carried out new Ecclesiastical confiscations. He became a dictator, repressing all rebellions with severity. He tried to abolish the Fueros, signing the Law of Pacts in Navarra in 1841, but he wasn’t able to achieve it. And he tried to reduce the Fueros in the Basque territories, but he wasn’t able to achieve it.
Espartero went into
Read MoreWestern Bloc: Political, Economic, and Social Transformations
The Organization of the Western Bloc
Characteristics of the Capitalist Bloc
The capitalist bloc, led by the USA, extended its influence elsewhere in the world.
- Political Level: Democratic systems were introduced in most countries, based on the recognition of individual rights and liberties, and the division of powers.
- Economic Level: A capitalist economy based on private property and a free market prevailed.
- Social Level: A class society based on wealth was established, with a wide expanse of the middle