Spain’s Political Evolution: 1868-1898
The Glorious Revolution
Much of the last period of the reign of Elizabeth II was characterized by a phase of economic expansion that affected all of Europe. But in the mid-1860s, the start of a major economic crisis became clear. On September 19, 1868, the squadron under the command of Topete staged a military uprising against the government of Isabel II. The government sent an army from Madrid, under the command of General Serrano, to cope. After the victory, the government resigned and the queen
Read MoreDecline of Hispanic Hegemony: 17th Century Spain
The Decline of Hispanic Hegemony: 17th Century Spain
The Reign of Philip III (1598-1621)
Philip III ascended to the throne in 1598 after the death of his father, Philip II. The new king delegated power to a favorite, the Duke of Lerma. Lerma’s objectives were to conclude the numerous wars inherited from his predecessor and to solve the serious economic situation of the monarchy.
Pacifist Foreign Policy:
- Peace with England was signed in 1604.
- The Truce of Twelve Years was signed with the United Provinces
Spain’s Second Republic: Reforms and Challenges (1931-1936)
Phases of the Republic
- Reform or Social Biennium (December 1931 – November 1933), also known as the Left Biennium
- Radical-CEDA Biennium (November 1933 – February 1936), also known as the Right Biennium
- Popular Front (February – July 1936)
Reform Biennium (1931-1933)
The attempt to democratize the constitution and the Second Republic was blocked by Franco’s dictatorship. The new government, representing the new democratic forces united in opposition to the monarchy (Republicans, Nationalists, Socialists)
Read MoreRise and Fall of Primo de Rivera’s Regime in Spain
The Coup of Primo de Rivera and the Rise of Dictatorship
The coup of Primo de Rivera came just one year after Mussolini’s accession to power in Italy, and it preceded other dictatorships that were implanted in southern and eastern Europe within a few years. In the manifesto which preceded the coup, Primo de Rivera invoked the salvation of the country and made known his intention to form a military dictatorship. The population favored the coup, which also had the unconditional support of the army,
Read MoreSpanish Labor Movement: From Isabel II to the Restoration
The Beginnings of the Labor Movement
The Life of the Working Class
The peasantry was the largest social group in the country. Mid-century, they comprised about 80% of the population, and their situation was deteriorating. Falling prices, low wages, and confiscations hurt the most. Tenants were affected as new landlords raised rents. The secularization of Madoz gave the death blow to the rural economy by eliminating the economic break the villagers had in the exploitation of these council lands. The
Read MoreThe Bourbon Restoration in Spain: A Historical Analysis (1874-1923)
The Bourbon Restoration in Spain (1874-1923)
The restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne of Spain marked the end of the First Republic. Shaken by the Third Carlist War and the Cuban insurrection of 1868, the First Republic had been incapable of organizing a stable political project. The driver of the new regime was Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, who organized a liberal monarchical system, although not democratic. Its foundations were established and consolidated during the reign of Alfonso
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