Spanish Political System and Catalonia’s Autonomy
The Spanish Political System
The Spanish Constitution, established in 1978, regulates the most important aspects of the current political system. It is the highest rule that all citizens and leaders must obey. The Constitution defines Spain’s form of government as a parliamentary monarchy, its form of state as a democratic social state of law, and its territorial structure as an Autonomous State.
Parliamentary Monarchy
The King is the head of state, but the government is elected by Parliament. The
Read More17th Century Spain: Habsburg Rule, Crisis, and Decline
17th Century Habsburg Spain: Government and Conflicts
Philip III and the Rise of the *Valido*
With Philip III (1598-1621), the practice of delegating governance to a trusted man, known as the valido or privado, began. While lacking an official position, the valido effectively acted as a prime minister. Philip III’s valido was the Duke of Lerma, a mediocre and ambitious politician. Lerma was succeeded by his son, the Duke of Uceda, who proved unable to solve Spain’s serious problems.
The Expulsion of
Read MoreMuslim Rule and Christian Kingdoms in Medieval Iberia
Al-Andalus: Muslim Rule in the Iberian Peninsula
Al-Andalus refers to the part of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim power, regardless of its size.
Chronology of Al-Andalus
- Dependent Emirate (711-756): A civil war took place in the Visigoth Kingdom.
- Independent Emirate (756-929): The Emirate became independent in 756.
- Caliphate of Córdoba (929-1031): The Caliphate was instituted in 929.
- Taifa Kingdoms (1031-1086): Al-Andalus was divided into numerous kingdoms.
- Almoravid Period (1086-1147): Toledo was
Spain’s Second Republic: A History (1931-1936)
The Second Republic
The proclamation of the Second Republic marked the end of the deteriorating monarchy of Alfonso XIII. After the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the king intended to return to the arrangements established by the Constitution of 1876. Given the increasing turmoil, the Prime Minister, Juan Bautista Aznar, called municipal elections for April 12, 1931, giving them the character of a plebiscite for or against the monarchy. Although the predominant rural councilors were monarchist
Read MoreMay 1968: Student Protests and Social Change in France
May 1968: A Turning Point in French History
1. Defining May 1968 and Its Key Participants
May 1968 refers to a chain of events that occurred in France, particularly in Paris, during May and June 1968. It resulted from the convergence of protests among college and secondary school students and the labor movement. It was a youth-led movement.
2. The Vietnam War and U.S. Imperialism
In February 1962, a demonstration organized by the French Communist Party and the General Labor Confederation ended with
Read MoreSpanish Colonization of America: Administration and Economic Impact
**Section 7.3: Government and Administration of Spanish Colonies in America**
The discovery and colonization of America transformed the Spanish monarchy into a major economic and colonial power. Spain sought to maximize its benefits from these lands through the following measures:
- Systematic exploitation of American mines, especially the silver mines of Potosi (Peru) and Zacatecas (Mexico). The Crown obtained 20% of the production as a tax, known as the “royal fifth,” which was one of its main sources