Adolfo Suárez and Spain’s Transition to Democracy
Adolfo Suárez and the Path to Democracy
Adolfo Suárez’s appointment was greeted with dismay by the press and the opposition. Despite his brilliant career as a manager in various positions, no one believed that a man trained in the movement, despite publicly stating his firm commitment to political reform and the establishment of a democratic system and freedoms, could take forward the reform. The hardliners saw in him a man of little prestige. Suárez was also met with the refusal of Fraga and
Read MoreThe Spanish War of Independence & Liberal Revolution 1808-1814
The Crisis of 1808: Prelude to the War of Independence
The crisis of the Old Regime in Spain began during the reign of Charles IV. The French Revolution broke out at the very beginning of his reign. Absolutist kings created an anti-revolutionary coalition in Europe. Charles IV and his minister, Floridablanca, closed Spain’s borders to anyone who could bring revolutionary ideas into the country. The war brought many military problems. The French army occupied Catalonia and the Basque Country. Charles
Read MoreSpain in the 18th Century: Reforms and Societal Changes
The Treaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht, an armistice signed in Utrecht by delegations from the kingdoms of Spain and Britain on July 13, 1713, concluded the War of Succession following the death of Carlos II without an heir. This treaty recognized Philip V as King of Spain, establishing the Bourbon dynasty. Territorial changes redistributed Spanish possessions in Europe. Austria acquired Flanders, Naples, Sardinia, and part of the Duchy of Milan. The House of Savoy obtained Sicily and some enclaves
Read MoreRussian Revolution, Stalin’s USSR, Crash of ’29, Fascist Italy
1. The Russian Revolution
1.1. Tsarist Autocracy
In the early twentieth century, the great empire of the Tsars still maintained monarchical absolutism. Their economy was the most backward in Europe. The Tsar ruled by decree and was not subject to any constitution. A loyal bureaucracy and a powerful army secured control of the empire, and the Orthodox Church was one of the major pillars of this regime.
Agriculture was the main economic activity, and land belonged to a few landowners. The majority of
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: 1975-1978
The death of Francisco Franco marked the beginning of a new historical stage: the transition to democracy, which aimed to prevent social division. To this end, the Crown garnered the support of anti-Franco sectors. However, the tension between supporters and opponents caused instability.
Following the dictator’s death, institutional mechanisms led to Prince Juan Carlos being named King of Spain on November 22, 1975.
The new monarchy was born protected (legitimate) by Franco himself, thus ensuring
Read MoreByzantine Art: History and Characteristics
Byzantine Art
Historical Context
After the final division of the Roman Empire, the western part succumbed to Germanic peoples just a century later, while the East survived for a thousand years.
The Byzantine Empire experienced its first great period of splendor under Justinian, who annexed large parts of the western Mediterranean and came close to restoring the ancient Roman Empire, of which it considered itself the legitimate heir.
However, this situation could not be maintained for long, and the Byzantine
Read More