Spanish Civil War: A Comprehensive History
The Spanish Civil War
The Two Opposing Sides
The coup, initiated on the 17th, gradually spread. General Sanjurjo was regarded as the leader by the generals, but his leadership was symbolic. The real leader was General Mola, who was called “the director”. Franco gave him great strength, as he had the best troops under his command. The CEDA and the Phalanx helped the coup. Mola stated that the coup had to be accompanied by an extremely strong crackdown on those who opposed it. In case something went
Read MoreMonarchy, Industrial Revolutions, and European Transformations
Absolute Monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a form of government based on heredity and linked to a dynasty. The king represented the entire state and towered above the rest of the estates. In turn, the monarch, through their representatives and administrators, created, implemented, and enforced the laws. Meetings were held in institutions such as courts or States-General to establish new taxes. The major exception was Britain. In Europe, since the 17th century, the monarchy had limited power in parliament.
Read MoreForeign Investment and Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Foreign Investment in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
France was the second-largest investor abroad in the first half of the 19th century. The French invested mainly in government debt, including revolutionaries and reactionaries like Spain, Portugal, and various Italian states. They also invested in obligations of the new Belgian government, mines, and investment companies in Belgium. Investments of similar magnitude were made in Switzerland, Austria, and the German states. They invested in industrial
Read MoreSpanish Second Republic: Biennium, Revolution, and 1936 Elections
Biennium Conservative (1933-1935)
The government of Manuel Azaña fell in September 1933 due to political disagreements regarding the events of Casas Viejas and incompatibility with President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora. Alcalá-Zamora dissolved Parliament and called elections for November 19.
The Rise of the Right
During the Reform Biennium, the Spanish right reorganized into two groups. One opposed the Republic, including monarchists, traditionalist Carlists, and fascist factions like the JONS and the
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: Causes, Conflicts, and Consequences
The Spanish Civil War: A Nation Divided (1936-1939)
After the Popular Front victory in February 1936, the power bloc, unhappy with the revival of reformism after two years of stagnation, contacted the right sector of the army to plan a coup d’état. The military conspirators, led by General Emilio Mola, began plotting the coup, distributing and planning actions: Mola would rise in Pamplona, General Manuel Goded Llopis in the Balearic Islands, and General Francisco Franco in the Canary Islands. They
Read MoreInternational Trade and Finance in the 19th Century
Never in international trade had the United States depended so much less than the rest of the countries. In short, the economy in the early twentieth century was more integrated and interdependent than it ever had been or would be.
The International Gold Standard
Some experts believed that integration was largely dependent on adherence to the international gold standard; others believed it was dependent on Britain and its political and financial capital, London. Since Britain, under the gold standard,
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