Charlemagne’s Throne & Carolingian Architecture
Charlemagne’s Throne in Aachen
In the gallery of Aachen Cathedral, an area is reserved for the emperor. A marble throne is kept there, where the emperor supposedly sat to hear mass. It is believed that the throne was a replica of Solomon’s. The model is much discussed.
Carolingian Church Architecture
There are other models of centralized plans in France, most with a cross plan inserted into rectangular or square plants.
Saint Germigny des Prés
The construction of this temple is directly linked with
Read MoreFranco’s Regime in Spain: Early Years
Item 10.1 of the Franco Dictatorship (1939-1975)
1. First Franco (1939-1959): Ideological Foundation and Political Developments
A) The Scheme of Franco
1. Ideological Foundations of the Dictatorship
The regime was characterized by a personal dictatorship, but it had ideological components:
- Anticommunism
- Anti-parliamentarism and anti-liberalism: Parliamentary democracy was identified with the anti-Spanish and Marxism.
- National-Catholicism: The Church held absolute dominance, and its control of education
Spanish Civil War: A Deep Dive into the Conflict
Spanish Civil War
Opposing Sides
Initially, General Sanjurjo was the leader of the rebels. However, after his death, General Emilio Mola assumed command. Although Mola was a prominent figure, he was less influential than Francisco Franco, who had better troops.
The coup failed in major cities. The rebels controlled the north-northwest (Galicia, Old Castile, Leon, Navarra, northern Extremadura, half of Aragon, and the Asturian capital). In the south, they only held certain cities (Cadiz, Granada, Cordoba,
Read MoreSpanish Political System: Late 19th Century Power Dynamics
Distortion and Chieftaincy in Elections
When the ruling party suffered political erosion and lost the confidence of the Cortes, the monarch called the head of the opposition party to form a government. This triggered elections to secure a sufficient number of deputies to form a parliamentary majority. This era was marked by peaceful electoral corruption and the use of power by certain individuals, known as “caciques,” over society.
Caciquismo was especially prevalent in Andalusia, Galicia, and Castilla.
Read MoreAxis and Allied Powers in World War II: A Detailed Account
Axis Powers’ Initial Dominance in World War II
The Axis victory began with the invasion of Poland, revealing the might of the German army. Between October 1939 and March 1940, military operations paused. In April, Germany launched surprise attacks on Denmark and Norway, securing vital iron supplies. In May 1940, the Germans attacked France, which had adopted a defensive strategy, building the “Maginot Line” along the German border. The Germans bypassed this defense by attacking through Belgium, the
Read MoreColonial Expansion in Asia, Africa & America: 1870-1914
Colonial Expansion in Asia and Africa: 1870-1914
Key Differences in Colonialism Between Asia and Africa
While the similarities in the colonization of Africa were limited to the same causes and the maintenance of colonialism, primarily through privileged companies, the differences in Asia were as follows:
- The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 was the event that provoked colonialism in Asia.
- Non-European powers such as Japan, the USA, and Russia participated in the division of Asia.
- In most cases, there