The War of Independence and the Cortes of Cadiz: 1808-1814
The War of Independence and the Cortes of Cadiz: 1808-1814
Introduction
Charles III died in 1788 and was succeeded by his son, Charles IV, who was not trained for this role. At first, he kept two important ministers of his father, Floridablanca and Aranda, at his side, but both fell from grace because of the reactions that emerged after the outbreak of the bourgeois revolution in France.
Before the French Revolution (1789), Aranda maintained a neutral position to reduce costs, but he lost his post,
Read More1868 Spanish Revolution: Causes, Uprising, and Aftermath
Context of the 1868 Revolution
The military coup of 1868 occurred during a period of significant international change, marked by the second industrial revolution, colonialism, the rise of liberalism and nationalism, and the growth of the labor movement.
Internal Factors Leading to the Coup
Internally, several crises converged, intensifying from 1864:
- Economic and Financial Crisis: Linked to international capitalism, ending a decade of prosperity. Railway company failures, stock market drops, and a crisis
19th Century Spain: Political Instability and Social Change
The Two Progressive Years (1854 – 1856)
The increasingly dictatorial power of Narvaez led to growing discontent, culminating in a moment of maturity. Initiated by General O’Donnell in Vicálvaro, the military coup radicalized after the rebels published the Manifesto of Manzanares. This gained broad popular support and urged other generals to join the rebellion. The coup succeeded, leading to a government headed by the progressive Espartero. General O’Donnell, another key figure, created the Liberal
Read MoreLiberal State Under Isabel II: Features & Analysis (1843-1868)
Features of the Liberal State During Isabel II’s Reign (1843-1868)
The core characteristics of the liberal state during the reign of Isabel II are detailed below:
Constitution of 1845
The Constitution of 1845 established national sovereignty (shared between the King and the Cortes), census-based male suffrage, Catholicism as the official religion, and press censorship.
Political and Administrative Centralization
The division of Spain into 49 provinces by Javier de Burgos, each headed by a civil governor,
Spain’s Conservative Biennium: Reforms and Revolution 1933-1935
The Conservative Biennium in Spain (1933-1935)
In the autumn of 1933, the crisis was evident in the Republican-Socialist coalition government. The mayor, Manuel Azaña, resigned, and the President, Alcalá Zamora, dissolved the Parliament and called elections for November.
The 1933 Elections: The Right-Wing Government
The general elections were held on November 18th. These were Spain’s first elections in which women voted and had a high abstention. The left presented disunited to the polls: Republicans
Read MoreThe Great War: Origins, Conflict, and Impact
Causes of World War I
The causes that led to World War I include:
- Political Alliances: Led by Germany, the creation of two opposing blocs (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente) led to a period known as the ‘Armed Peace,’ where powers rearmed for a war that seemed inevitable.
- Competition for Markets: The search for markets for industrial products led to frequent conflicts over colonies, with the Moroccan crisis being a significant flashpoint.
- Rivalry for Influence: Competition for zones of influence among