19th Century Spanish Nationalism: Catalonia and Basque Country
**Carlism**
One of the most important developments of the 19th century was the emergence of nationalist political movements on the periphery of the Iberian Peninsula. Until the Restoration, nationalist claims were channeled through federal republicanism and Carlism. With both of these movements weakened, new movements emerged, claiming historical rights for Catalonia, the Basque Country, Valencia, Galicia, and Andalusia.
This movement has three defining characteristics:
- The cultural-historical aspect,
Habsburg Spain: Internal Conflicts & 17th Century Decline
Habsburg Spain: Internal Conflicts and 17th Century Decline
The 17th century saw significant changes in the political system of the Spanish monarchy under the Habsburgs. A key innovation was the rise of the *validos*. These were noble individuals from the aristocracy who took on some of the king’s duties, effectively acting as prime ministers. However, this new system led to a surge in corruption. *Validos* often used their positions to secure positions, pensions, and grants for their families. This
Read More1848 Revolutions, WWI Causes, Political Liberalism & More
The Revolutionary Wave of 1848
The revolutionary wave of 1848 began in France and spread throughout much of Europe. It is known as the “Spring of Nations.”
Causes of the 1848 Revolutions
- The economic crisis in France in 1847 due to bad harvests, especially potatoes.
- The agrarian crisis impacted the industrial and financial sectors, leading to unemployment.
- The denial of rights and freedoms to many in French society. The monarchy of Louis Philippe of Orleans favored the bourgeoisie, neglecting the petty
Civil Directory of Primo de Rivera: Policies and Labor Relations
Civil Directory (1925-1930)
The Civil Directory, established by Primo de Rivera, aimed to resolve the Moroccan conflict and implement public policy under military discipline. This move was seen by some as an attempt to institutionalize the dictatorship.
Founded in November 1925, the council was led by Primo de Rivera and composed of civilians from the Patriotic Union (such as José Calvo Sotelo, Eduardo Aunós, and the Count de Guadalhorce) and military figures like Martínez Anido. The goal was to
Read MoreDecolonization: Causes and Impact in Asia
The Causes of Decolonization
Decolonization was a phenomenon that encompassed a large number of countries and people. The causes of this phenomenon that conditioned decolonization were varied.
Internal Factors
Internally, countries experienced significant population growth caused by high birth rates and declining mortality. Economic and social changes had destroyed the traditional patterns of subsistence, and the introduction of unequal exchanges, not forgetting cultural and ideological changes in
Read MoreSpanish Second Republic: Government, Reforms, and Conflicts (1931-1934)
The Provisional Government (April 1931 – July 1931)
The provisional government in Madrid, representing the San Sebastian Pact, seized power and proclaimed the Republic. This government convened elections and implemented several provisions:
- Amnesty for political prisoners.
- Proclamation of political freedom and trade union action.
- Protection for farmers.
- Establishment of provisional government and autonomy.
Constitution of 1931
The 1931 Constitution had a strong progressive and democratic character, defining
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