Territorial Unification and the Reign of Charles V
The Territorial Unification: Union of Marriage, Not Kingdoms
The Catholic Monarchs discussed the attempt to incorporate Granada, Navarra, and conquer Portugal. The conquest of Granada began in 1483, ending with the Capitulations of Santa Fe (1492) that guaranteed Muslims the use of their language, customs, and religion, thus concluding the Christian conquest.
Navarra
A strategic location between the Hispanic monarchy kingdoms, and thanks to a skillful policy by Fernando, in 1512 Navarra was incorporated,
Read MoreVenezuela’s Colonial Social and Economic Structure
Economic Landscape
Initially, Venezuela’s economy was based on a dependent relationship with Spain, which held a monopoly over any commodity exchange within the country. Following independence, a new economic order was established under the capitalist world market. This allowed the former colonial social structure to continue for more than half of this period.
Political Structure
During the first years of republican life, Venezuela’s political structure was completely in service of the ruling class.
Read MoreKey Treaties and Alliances of World War I
**Balkan Wars**
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that occurred in 1912 and 1913 between the Balkan countries of Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece. They were caused by the decline of the Ottoman Empire. Serbia and, indirectly, Russia were the big winners.
**The Schlieffen Plan**
The Schlieffen Plan was a system of military operations against France, devised by Count Alfred von Schlieffen, Chief of the German General Staff, in 1905. It aimed for a quick defeat of France by attacking through Belgium and
Read MoreSpanish Empire: Rise, Fall, and Bourbon Era
Rise and Fall of the Spanish Empire
1516: Upon the death of Ferdinand of Aragon, the Spanish Crown falls on Charles I of Spain and V of Germany, which brings together under one scepter the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, plus Italian and European domains of the Habsburgs.
1519: Charles was crowned Holy Roman Emperor (28 June), which involves Spain in endless wars. The monarch faces the Ottoman Empire, taking prisoner at Pavia Francis I of France, and tries to resolve the serious problem of the Reformation.
World War I: Crisis, End, and Global Impact
The Crisis of 1917
In 1917, a feeling of disappointment and frustration swept Europe. The war seemed endless, and life at the front was unbearable for the fighters. Hunger and misery took over from the rear, and the enthusiasm of the early days was disappearing. Protests caused widespread strikes in Britain, France, and Italy. The outbreak of the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Bolsheviks to power caused a huge change in the situation. The new Soviet government asked for an armistice and signed
Read MoreWorld War II, 1929 Crisis, and Spanish Transition to Democracy
World War II and its Aftermath
In 1936, Germany and Italy formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, later joined by Japan, creating the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. The war resulted in 55 million deaths, half of whom were civilians. Nazism led to the Jewish genocide, with 6 million deaths in extermination camps. Millions were forcibly displaced, and many borders established after World War I were redrawn. Europe was devastated, with incalculable material losses, a fall in the standard of living, rising prices due
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