Colonialism and the Outbreak of World War I
Causes of Colonialism
Some countries, invoking their racial superiority, imposed economic and cultural dominance directly and indirectly on other peoples.
Economic Factors
Europe needed to sell surplus production and sought new markets by buying raw materials.
Demographic Factors
European population growth in the 19th century led to an excess of workers, causing social tensions. Colonial policy allowed Europeans to emigrate to other lands and improve their lives.
Political Factors
In the 19th century,
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: A Period of Transformation
Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
In Spain, a desire for regime change culminated on the 14th with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic, forcing King Alfonso XIII into exile. The provisional government immediately called for parliamentary elections. In Catalonia, the elections resulted in a triumph for the ERC, significantly diminishing the power of the League. Companys proclaimed the Republic from the balcony of the Barcelona City Council, and just a few hours later, Macià
Read MoreAzaña’s 1931 Speech: Secularism and Spanish Republic
Azaña
The text is a speech with political content, by Manuel Azaña (Prime Minister and President of the Republic, who at the moment of doing this speech was War Prime minister of the provisional government) before the Spanish Constituent Assembly of 1931, arising from the June 1931 elections. The text is from the fall of 1931 and addressed to the deputies of the Cortes.
The intention is to defend a secular state, and to argue that regime change must address the deep problems of the country, the
Restoration, Congress of Vienna, Holy Alliance, and Romanticism
The Restoration and the Congress of Vienna
The authors refer to the Restoration as a set of measures aimed at preventing revolutionary ideals. This gave the king absolute power. There was also a need to restore the map of Europe, which, after the defeat of Napoleon, the kings wanted to return to the pre-French Revolution state.
The Congress of Vienna was held to resolve the problems that existed between the victorious powers: Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia. This conference addressed two aspects:
Read MoreSpanish Socialist Governments 1982-1996: Democracy’s Rise
The PSOE Governments (1982-1996)
1982 Elections: PSOE’s Access to Power
The triumph of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in the 1982 elections marked a turning point in Spain’s transition to democracy. The “On the other hand” slogan used by the Socialists reflected a general willingness to change the shape of politics in Spain. Other political parties practically admitted that the Socialists would win, and both the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) and the Communist Party of Spain (PCE)
Read MoreCatalan Nationalism and Social Unrest: 1901-1925
Moroccan Conflict and the Tragic Week (1906-1909)
In 1906, the Algeciras Conference established a Hispano-French protectorate in Morocco. Spain was assigned the Rif region, with the obligation to pacify and administer it. The Spanish presence in this area was met with continuous attacks from the Rif people, organized in Kabylia.
In 1909, the Battle of Barranco del Lobo resulted in a major defeat for Spanish troops, with heavy casualties (13,000 officers). In response, the Spanish government decided
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