Spanish Civil War: Origins, Key Events, and Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War: Origins, Key Events, and Aftermath
The Outbreak of Conflict (July 1936)
In July 1936, a section of the army, along with Falangists and traditionalists, staged a coup against the Second Spanish Republic. The rebels quickly gained strength. On July 19, José Giral, then Prime Minister, gave weapons to the militias of the unions and parties aligned with the Popular Front. Spain was thus divided into two distinct areas, marking the brutal outbreak of the Civil War.
International
Read MoreLate 19th Century Architecture: Iron, Industry, and Urban Transformation
The Second Industrial Revolution led to significant economic development that continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. The expansion of industrial economies and business concentration involved the consolidation of the capitalist system and the emergence of new industrial powers, both inside and outside Europe, surpassing Britain. Furthermore, the predominance of large banks and industries was solidified, while the tendency to reduce production costs, fix prices, and eliminate competition
Read MoreFranco’s Final Years and Economic Transformation (1959-1975)
Political Evolution and Regime Continuity
Organic Law of the State (1967)
In 1967, the Organic Law of the State was passed. It was the last fundamental law of the Franco regime and was intended to ensure the continuity of the system. Spain was structured as an “organic democracy,” but the law was not new, nor did it adequately address the changes in society. The only significant innovation was the direct election of some of the “family representatives” in the Cortes.
Limited Reforms and Succession
Read MoreSpain’s Second Republic: Transformative Reforms (1931-1936)
The Second Spanish Republic: Transformative Reforms (1931-1936)
The Second Spanish Republic addressed Spain’s main problems through significant social and economic policy reforms.
Proclamation and Provisional Government
On April 14, 1931, the Republic was proclaimed following the Republican victory in the cities. This proclamation allowed access to power for the revolutionary committee, which emerged from the Pact of San Sebastián. This committee had been formed to prepare for regime change through
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The Restoration Era (1660-1688)
Charles II: Challenges and Rebuilding
- Great Plague of London (1665): A devastating bubonic plague epidemic during the summer, communicated via public bulletins.
- Great Fire of London (1666): Started by Thomas Farriner, commemorated by the Monument, and documented by John Evelyn.
- Architectural Legacy: Sir Christopher Wren’s significant contributions, including the iconic towers of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Stuart Family: James II and William III
James II: Religious Tensions
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Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est: War’s Brutal Reality
Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est”: A Poetic Legacy
Introduction to “Dulce et Decorum Est”
Wilfred Owen’s powerful poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, penned in 1920, stands as a stark indictment of war’s realities. Owen, despite a financially humble background, aspired to attend university but was unexpectedly drafted into World War I. In 1917, after experiencing the horrors of battle, he was diagnosed with shell shock and admitted to a mental hospital in Edinburgh.
Wilfred Owen’s Life and Influences
During
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