Spanish Land Reforms: Desvinculación, Tithe Suppression, and Confiscations
Spanish Land Reforms
Desvinculación: Abolition of Primogeniture
The abolition of primogeniture, removed by a law of 1841, changed property rights. Primogeniture, which limited property to third-party rights (noble houses), underwent a change of ownership but not possession.
This benefited the nobility, increasing the value of their properties. Land supply increased, further benefiting the aristocracy.
Suppression of Tithe
The tithe (a tenth of the final product appropriated through feudal practices)
Read MoreSpanish Colonization of the Americas: 16th-18th Centuries
Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Americas
1. Carlos I
Culminating the process initiated by Columbus, which was to establish a route from the West to Asia, it became necessary to find a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. An expedition led by Magellan and Elcano was organized between 1519 and 1522. This marked the first circumnavigation of the world, proving that the Earth was round and that Columbus’s project was economically unviable.
- 1519-1521: Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec
Understanding the 1978 Spanish Constitution
Spanish Constitution of 1978: A Comprehensive Analysis
Historical Context
The 1978 Constitution was drafted during a transition period, between the death of Franco in November 1975 and the establishment and consolidation of liberal democracy in Spain. The author is the Spanish Cortes, and it was ratified by King Juan Carlos. The Constitution is long and detailed; it consists of 11 titles and 169 articles, with additional and transitional provisions.
Key Provisions
- Article 1: Spain is a social and democratic
Black Death Impact on Feudalism and the War of the Roses
The Black Death and its Impact
Pestilence. To understand the War of the Roses, we need to go back in time. In 1348, the Hundred Years’ War was interrupted by a terrible disease that attacked Europe: the Black Death. Originating in China, it followed the Silk Road. A place in Crimea was attacked by Tartars who threw bodies into the sea and onto ships.
Once in Italy, it spread all over Europe, infecting the entire continent within a few years. The death toll was approximately 20–23 million.
People
Read MoreCatalan Counties: Independence, Agriculture, and the Crown of Aragon
The Process of Independence
The counties are hereditary
At the end of the ninth century, Catalan counts appointed by the king of the Franks inherited their office. The first step towards independence was taken by Wilfred the Hairy, count of Barcelona, Girona, Urgell, and Cerdanya, who passed his territories to his offspring.
Thus, for the first time, the counts were not appointed by the Frankish king. This began the dynasty that ruled from the County of Barcelona.
The Counties Become Independent
The
Read MoreGothic Architecture and Art: Evolution and Characteristics
Gothic Architecture: Key Features
Its salient features were: the elevation (the weight is achieved by diverting to the side) and lighting (weight shifting is achieved, so we can neglect the walls and put big windows). All this gives high slenderness. Gothic building elements:- Arches: ogee and evolved into carpaneles.
- Vaults: transept formed by the skeleton (nerves) and elements (cloths, between nerves).
- The walls are narrower and the forces are released into the pillars to the ribs (columns attached