17th Century Habsburg Spain: Internal Conflicts & Decline
17th Century Habsburgs: Government and Internal Conflicts
During the 17th century, the last three Habsburgs, Philip III (1598-1621), Philip IV (1621-1665), and Charles II (1665-1700), ascended to the throne. It was an absolute monarchy, concentrating all political power in the hands of the sovereign, outside the medieval nobility and institutions like the courts or municipalities. The kings, however, delegated the government to validos, privies, or favorites who governed on their behalf. This was
Read MoreSpanish Monarchy Crisis & Rise of Liberalism: 1808-1837
The Crisis of the Spanish Monarchy
During the time of the French Revolution, King Carlos IV ruled Spain. He declared war on France to prevent the expansion of liberal ideas into Spain. This war was a failure. Manuel Godoy, the King’s most important minister, made the decision to ally with Napoleon. This decision led to the outbreak of the Mutiny of Aranjuez. The result was the forced resignation of Manuel Godoy, and Carlos IV ceded the throne to his son, Ferdinand VII. Napoleon then summoned Carlos
Read MoreArchitectural Features of Mosques: Maqsura, Mimbar, and Hypostyle Halls
Inside the Mosque: Key Architectural Features
Inside mosques, particularly on Fridays, the Maqsura is a notable feature. It is an enclosed space within the mosque, situated before the Mihrab, designed to house the caliph and his family. Initially separated by a wooden lattice, it evolved into a more defined architectural enclosure. This separation from the main prayer area was implemented because some caliphs had been attacked in the past.
The Mimbar: The Pulpit of the Mosque
The Mimbar (or Minbar)
Read MoreKey Terms and Events of the Russian Revolution 1917
Key Terms of the Russian Revolution
Supreme: The supreme organ of state, also called the Congress of Soviets, and to exercise legislative power in the new state created by the Bolsheviks.
Kolkhoz: Collective farms and cooperatives that are self-governed.
Sovkhoz: Farms engaged in the agricultural sector and state-owned.
Gulag: The prison system developed in the era of Stalin and the government that brought together a series of forced labor camps located throughout the USSR, and very specially in the
Read MoreWorld War I: Key Events, Impacts, and Aftermath
Trench Warfare
Trench warfare was a defining feature of World War I, particularly on the Western Front. It was a long and arduous form of combat. The Battle of Verdun, intended to break the Allied front, saw French soldiers endure without yielding an inch of ground. The Allies attempted an offensive on the Somme but were unsuccessful. In these two battles, the Allies lost around a million soldiers. On the Eastern Front, a Russian offensive initially shocked the Germans. However, a new German offensive
Read MoreSpain’s Economic and Political Shifts: 1980s to 2004
The Socialist Government’s Economic Reforms
The socialist government addressed the economic crisis and undertook pertinent reforms, drawing inspiration from Sweden and Germany, which were ruled by Social Democrats during those years and enjoyed a high standard of living. The economic policy was led by Boyer and Solchaga.
To modernize the economy, the socialist government took three key steps:
- Redevelopment of the economy: Some companies that were expropriated, facing bankruptcy or serious difficulties,