Cuban War of Independence: Causes and Consequences (1868-1898)

Nineteenth-Century History: The Cuban War of Independence (1868-1898)

Causes of the Cuban War of Independence

Political and Ideological Factors

The ideological currents present in Europe at the time were well-known in the Americas, where they became the seeds of independence ideas. The ideals of the Enlightenment, combined with the *Independence of the American Colonies* (1775-1783) and the *French Revolution* (1789-1799), fostered a craving for autonomy in the early nineteenth century. The events

Read More

Spain in Crisis: Regeneration, Reform, and the Road to the Second Republic (1902-1931)

Regeneration and Political Revisionism: The Crises of 1909 and 1917

In 1902, Alfonso XIII came to the throne, initiating the second phase of the Restoration.

Dynastic Reformism

  • The leader of the Conservatives: Antonio Maura.
  • The leader of the Liberals: José Canalejas.

Politicians, influenced by regenerationism, undertook reform projects. Antonio Maura’s government, between 1907 and 1909 (known as the “long government”), staged a reform he called the “revolution from above.” It aimed to regenerate the

Read More

20th Century Art and History: From World Wars to European Union

The Twentieth Century and Contemporary Art

I. The Evolution of the European Map from World War I to World War II: Fascism, Nazism, and Communism

Introduction:

During the first half of the twentieth century, we can distinguish the following periods:

  • The First World War, which occurred between 1914 and 1918, showed the rivalry between European countries. During the Great War, another of the great events of the century occurred: The Russian Revolution, which began in 1917.
  • The period between the wars. It
Read More

Ferdinand VII’s Reign in Spain: Absolutism and Liberalism

The Reign of Ferdinand VII: 1814-1833

A) The Restoration of Absolutism: The Absolutist Sexennium (1814-1820)

In 1813, after the defeat of Napoleon, Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne, promising to rehabilitate the Francophiles. In March 1814, Ferdinand returned to Spain. The regency and the ordinary Cortes intended to have the king immediately swear to uphold the Constitution, fearing his desire to return to absolutism.

However, during his journey back to Spain, following a route marked by different

Read More

Reign of Isabella II: Regency, Carlist War, and Liberal Reforms

Reign of Isabella II (1833-1868)

I. Minority Age of Isabella II: The Age of the Regency (1833-1843)

1. Introduction: General Aspects

The minority of Isabella II was occupied by a double regency, held by her mother Maria Cristina, Queen Governor until 1840, and General Baldomero Espartero until 1843.

The regency of Maria Cristina was marked by the First Carlist War that forced her to seek the support of moderate liberals against the pretender, Don Carlos. The first consequence of this approach to the

Read More

Spain’s Second Republic: Politics, Reforms, and Downfall

The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)

The Proclamation of the Republic and the Constitutional Period

The Elections and the Provisional Government

On April 12, 1931, municipal elections were held in Spain by universal male suffrage. The Socialists won the Republican nomination. On the morning of April 14, local councilors of Eibar, Gipuzkoa proclaimed the Republic, and throughout the day, the councilors of Valencia, Sevilla, Oviedo, Zaragoza, Barcelona, etc. followed suit. King Alfonso XIII fled the

Read More