18th Century Revolutions: America and France
Origins of Conflict in Eighteenth-Century America
In the 18th century, Britain had colonies on the east coast of America, known as the Thirteen Colonies. The American Revolution was the conflict between the settlers of New England and Great Britain, which culminated in the independence of New England.
Economic Issues
The colonies developed their own economic system and saw the mother country as a barrier to their development. Great Britain was interested in trade but not in industry. It also reserved
Read MoreModern Art Movements and the Russian Revolution
Modernist Architecture
Modernist architecture, also known as Modernism, was an artistic style developed in reaction to industrial architecture, which Modernists found unattractive (1870-1914).
Characteristics:
- Architects designed all elements of their buildings, including furniture.
- Modernism was unified by natural forms, with curved lines and motifs such as leaves and flowers.
- Modernism spread all over Europe.
In Spain, the most important Modernist architect was Gaudí. Examples include Casa Batlló,
Read MoreSpain’s Democratic Transition: Key Events and Figures
**Spain’s Transition to Democracy: 1975-1982**
**1. Beginning of the Transition (1975-1977)**
In November 1975, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain. Over a period of time, the Spanish people made the change from dictatorship to a democratic constitution, a process called the *political transition*, considered a model for being agreed upon and nonviolent.
The new monarchy was born, legitimized by the Franco regime, which claimed control of the army, administration, and law enforcement. In his
Read MoreFeudalism: Society, Economy, and Politics in Medieval Europe
Feudalism: Concept and Appearance
Political regime based on economic and social relations of service and protection provided respectively by vassal to the lord and the lord to the vassal. It emerged in Europe in the early Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire and consolidated between the 10th and 13th centuries. A crisis triggered in the time of the Roman Empire by the barbarian invasions led to a process of ruralization conducive to the emergence of noble relations. Many farmers filed for
Read MoreFranco’s Regime: Dictatorship in Spain (1939-1959)
The result of the Civil War was the consolidation of the dictatorial regime that rebelled against the Republic and began building in October 1936. The scheme introduced by Franco in Spain lasted until his death in 1975. Franco’s regime remained a harsh dictatorship characterized by the repression of its opponents.
A Dictatorial Regime
Franco instituted a state legitimized only by the Civil War and characterized by extreme authoritarianism. Its most characteristic features were:
- Totalitarianism: The
Franco’s Dictatorship: Foundations and Legal Framework in Spain
Franco’s Political System and its Foundations: The Dictatorship
Franco was the head of state and head of government, and his power system was based on his omnipotence. He was responsible for the declaration of legal norms, and as the supreme power of the three armies, he also had the main control.
To start building the new Spain, these bases were used: a dictator, Franco “Caudillo”; a totalitarian ideology, national syndicalism; and a single party, the FET y de las JONS.
Falangists, monarchists, Catholics,