Spain’s Transformation: War, Revolution, and Loss (1808-1833)
Crisis of the Old Regime (1808-1833)
The triumph of the revolutionaries in France conditioned all diplomatic, foreign, military, and internal decisions of the Spanish government during the reign of Charles IV. They also had to face the irreversible financial, institutional, and ideological collapse of the absolutist monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
Subsequently, the invasion by Napoleon’s French troops hastened the start of a revolutionary political process. This resulted in a radical break with the
Read MoreFrancoism in Spain: Politics, Economy, and Society
Franco’s Regime: Key Features
Totalitarianism: The Franco dictatorship, inspired by Italian Fascism and German Nazism, abolished the 1931 constitution, closed the parliament, and banned all political parties and trade unions.
Warlordism: Franco, as the leader of Spain, held the positions of Chief of State and Prime Minister.
- Repression of the opposition.
- Control of the media.
Fundamental Laws of Francoist Spain
Establishment of basic political laws and Francoist state legal organizations. In January 1938,
Read MoreSpain Under Alfonso XIII: From Restoration to Dictatorship
Alfonso XIII’s Reign (1902-1931): Stages
1. Decomposition of the Restoration (1902-1923)
Background:
- 1897: Death of Cánovas del Castillo.
- 1898: Defeat against the US in the Spanish-American War.
- 1899: Failure of the regenerationist government (due to broken electoral promises).
- 1901: Rise of the Regionalist League (Catalan nationalism).
Attempts at Reform of the Restoration:
- Two regenerationist governments.
- 1906-1909: Government of Maura.
- 1910-1912: Government of Canalejas.
Factors of the Crisis:
- Crisis of
Ferdinand VII: Restoration and Liberal Triennium
The Restoration of Ferdinand VII
After the Treaty of Valençay (1813), Ferdinand VII returned to Spain in 1814. He did not accept the Constitution of 1812, nor the societal changes caused by the war, nor the work of the Cortes and the Regency. Ferdinand VII enjoyed support among the masses, the Church, and the nobility. Royalist members approached Ferdinand, criticized the liberal regime, and asked him to resume absolute powers, while also suggesting some reforms in the Manifesto of the Persians.
Read MoreGerman Political Parties: An Overview of Key Players
German Political Parties
This political landscape is marked by growing citizen dissatisfaction with political parties, leading to a decline in voter turnout. Only a small percentage of voters belong to a political party. The German party system is the result of several historical conflicts, which can be summarized as follows:
- Followers of the Empire (Reich) against enemies of the Empire
- Republicans against enemies of the Weimar Republic
- Supporters of the provisional nature of the RFA against enemies
Munich Congress: Spain’s Opposition to Franco in 1962
The Opposition to Franco: Munich Congress, 1962
Source: Resolution agreed upon by the Congress of Munich, 1962.
1) Introduction
This is a primary source of political and public nature. The collective author is the 118 delegates participating in the Spanish Congress of the European Movement in Munich, who unanimously approved this resolution. These delegates represented various groups opposing the Franco regime, both from within Spain and in exile.
The resolution was approved in June 1962, during the
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