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
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 MoreReign 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 MoreSpain’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 MoreThe Russian Revolutions of 1917 and the Rise of the Soviet Union
The February Revolution of 1917
The First World War exposed the weaknesses of the Russian Empire. During the war, the Russian Empire was in a situation that caused a considerable increase in prices and a lowering of the purchasing power of employees. This increased poverty among the population, both in rural and urban areas. Troops were poorly equipped and poorly directed. In late February, a strike erupted spontaneously in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), demanding food. The Tsar ordered the army to
Read MoreSpanish Colonization of the Americas: 15th-17th Centuries
**The Discovery of America: Late 15th Century**
The discovery of America cannot be studied without being framed in the cultural atmosphere and European economic framework of the 15th century. There are a number of factors that promoted the Atlantic momentum, including:
- The need for new trade routes with India to break the traditional land routes and the Muslim geopolitical situation. This meant circumnavigating Africa to reach Asia or following the path of the sun.
- A new scientific spirit that moved