Italian Unification: A 19th-Century Transformation
**1. Birth of Unity Consciousness**
In 1815, Italy was a geographical entity, not a political unit. It comprised the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, Lombardo-Venetia (under Austrian authority), the Duchies of Parma, Modena, and Tuscany, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Italy began to revive its classical roots, those of ancient Rome, especially through painting, sculpture, novels, and drama. Liberals, lacking a means of opposition to Austrian governments, met in secret societies,
Read MoreWomen’s Rights and Political Instability in Early 20th Century Spain
SDLM Rating: Women’s Subordination in Early 20th Century Spain
SDLM Rating: This is a historical text, a primary source, namely a fragment of one of the lectures of José Francisco Prat, union worker and contributor to newspapers such as Land and Freedom, delivered at the Labour Centre of Barcelona in 1903. It is therefore a public text aimed at men and women linked to this institution. Classify it by its content of social and intended to educate the audience about the situation so unfair that women
Read MoreFranco’s Dictatorship: Decline and Societal Changes
The Decline of Franco’s Dictatorship
The 1960s had been of great splendor for the dictatorship. During those years, the building had served as a mechanism to strengthen the opposition and began to show signs of wear, such as the Matesa scandal in 1969, which had used subsidies to make money illegally. It was not very different from other corruption scandals but was important because of the confrontation between the political families of the Franco regime. It was used by the Falange to try to discredit
Read MoreThe Persian Manifesto: Conservative Resistance to Liberalism in Spain
The Persian Manifesto: A Call to Restore Absolutism in Spain
Context
- During these six years, Napoleon appointed his brother, José I, as king. A six-year war against French domination had been led by the Spanish population, and a new political regime had been established, ruled by the liberal constitution of 1812.
- In the Treaty of Valençay (1813), Napoleon had given him back his rights to the throne, but he was not freed until 1814. The executive power in Spain was at the moment in the hands of a
Venezuelan Oligarchies, Federal War, and Social Classes (1830-1863)
Part I: Venezuelan Oligarchies
a) The Conservative Oligarchy
The term oligarchy refers to a government controlled by a powerful group. In Venezuela, General Páez was the most influential political and military figure. The Conservatives, primarily large landowners and military leaders, ruled Venezuela from 1830 to 1847. They were gradually removed from power after conflicts with President Monagas, culminating in their defeat in January 1848.
b) The Liberal Oligarchy
From March 1847 to March 1858, Venezuela
Read MoreAlfonso XII’s Reign: Restoration, Politics, and Constitution
Reign of Alfonso XII
The instability of the Democratic Sexenio caused a shift of the bourgeoisie toward conservative positions. The failure of the Republican ticket awakened a broad social desire for a restoration. Antonio Canovas del Castillo was the greatest political actor of the moment and the architect of the Restoration, preparing the return to Spain and the throne of Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II.
During those years, supporters of the Bourbon restoration had taken active diplomatic efforts
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