Fernando VII and Isabel II: Spain’s Transition to Liberalism
Fernando VII (1814-1832)
As we previously saw, Fernando VII restored absolutism in Spain as soon as he returned from France in 1814, in line with what was happening in the rest of Europe (Congress of Vienna). The Constitution of 1812 and the reforms of the Cortes de Cádiz were repealed, and liberals were persecuted, jailed, or forced into exile.
Fernando VII reigned until 1832, and we can divide his reign into three periods:
Sexenio Absolutista: From 1814 to 1820, Fernando tried to restore all the
The Great War: Origins, Timeline, and Aftermath
World War I: A Summary
Causes of World War I
- Power Rivalry: Competition among European powers.
- Nationalism and Arms Races: A period of armed peace.
- Triple Alliance and Triple Entente: Complex web of alliances.
- Conflicts: Ongoing tensions between nations.
- England / Germany: Naval and economic rivalry.
- France / Germany: Historical animosity and territorial disputes.
- Russia / Austria-Hungary: Conflicts over influence in the Balkans.
Immediate Cause
- Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: June 14, 1914, in
Insular Art: Details of Anglo-Irish Manuscript Illumination
Early Medieval Church Architecture
St. Apollinare in Classe Example
In St. Apollinare in Classe, an example of a cancel is preserved. A plate-inserted cancel, typically 60cm to 1m high, featuring decorative elements, was used to secure it to the altar area. It might have been draped with curtains.
Cancel and Iconostasis
A cancel is generally a low structure, around 0.5m to 1m high, separating the sanctuary. An iconostasis is similar but often encloses the space more fully, leaving only doorways. The
Read MoreHitler’s Path to War: German Expansion and Appeasement
Hitler’s Foreign Policy Aims
- All German-speaking peoples to be brought into the Reich.
- The frontiers of Germany would be extended to cover those areas where the population was predominantly German.
- The increase in living space – Lebensraum.
- Countries involved would include Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Soviet Russia.
- To regain German land lost through the Treaty of Versailles.
Early Violations and Rearmament Actions
- Hitler walked out of the Disarmament Conference (1933).
- Hitler withdrew Germany
Historical Shifts: Empires, WWI, Nazism, and the UN
Rise of Japanese and U.S. Empires
Japan
Previously a feudal country under the dominion of shogunates, Japan underwent a significant evolution at the turn of the century, becoming a power comparable to European nations. This transformation occurred during the Meiji Restoration, where the old feudal structure was abandoned. Key changes included:
- Establishment of compulsory education
- Creation of a modern police service
- Implementation of a new legal system
Furthermore, military conscription was introduced,
Read MoreKey Figures & Periods in Early American Literature
Early American Literature Timeline
Before 1600: Native American Oral Traditions
Legends and myths of the American Natives, such as The Coyote Legends.
17th Century: Colonial Writings (c. 1600s)
- Journey Chronicles
- Exploration Diaries
- Key Figures:
- John Smith
- John White
- Walter Raleigh
- Religious Literature: Arrival of the Pilgrims in America (1620). Key figures include William Bradford and John Winthrop.
18th Century: Revolution and Early Republic (c. 1700s)
- Thomas Paine (1737-1809): Author of Common Sense.
- Benjamin