Spain’s Restoration: Bourbon Dynasty and Canovas System
The Restoration in Spain: Return of the Bourbons
Following a brief and contradictory democratic period, the Restoration brought the Bourbons back to power, ushering in an era of conservatism under the political control of the oligarchy. This period allowed for the reconstruction of the Spanish political system, with a focus on stability and longevity. Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, leader of the Conservative Party during the Sexenio Alfonsino, became the architect of this new system, often referred
Read MoreSpain’s Democratic Sexenio: Revolution to Restoration (1868-1874)
Spain’s Democratic Sexenio (1868-1874)
1. The Revolution of 1868
1.1 The Glorious Revolution
The period between the Glorious Revolution, which ousted Isabel II, and the Bourbon Restoration under Alfonso XII, witnessed diverse regimes and governments.
1.2 Development of the Revolution
a) The Military Coup
Admiral Topete’s fleet pronouncement in Cádiz Bay, joined by Prim, Serrano, and Dulce, initiated the revolution. Their manifesto, outlining the insurrection’s rationale, resonated across Spain. Royalist
German Unification: From Confederation to Empire
The Path to Unity
Unlike Italian unification, the German process faced unique challenges. Despite shared language and culture, Germany was fragmented into numerous small states. Two major powers, Austria and Prussia, competed for leadership. External intervention, unlike French involvement in Italy, played a lesser role. Key factors driving German unification included the Kingdom of Prussia under the Hohenzollern dynasty, influential social classes like the Prussian Junkers and industrial bourgeoisie,
Read MoreEvolution and Functions of Spanish Courts in the Modern Age
Courts in Modern Spain
1. Introduction: European Representative Institutions
Representation in European courts varied significantly. While royal power grew from the 15th century, limiting the influence of estates, England saw parliamentary power increase, culminating in the 1688 Bill of Rights. In the German Empire, the Diet retained power, preventing imperial centralization. Sweden’s Risdag and Poland’s Sejm also held considerable authority, often challenging the monarch. Venice’s republic vested
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: Republican and Nationalist Zones
Republican Spain
The military uprising led to the collapse of order and Republican power. The coup, intended to prevent revolution, ultimately triggered it. The bankruptcy of the Republican State initiated a period of social revolution and uncontrolled repression.
Casares Quiroga, unable to control the situation, resigned. Diego Martinez Barrio formed a government and attempted to negotiate with Mola to stop the war, but this was refused. Following the failed negotiation, President Azana commissioned
Read MoreReign of Fernando VII: Absolutism vs. Liberalism in Spain
ITEM 12. FERNANDO VII: Absolutists and Liberals. The Emancipation of Spanish America.
The return of the king in March 1814 posed a problem: integrating the monarch into the new political model defined by the Constitution of 1812. Fernando VII had left the country as an absolute monarch and was to return as a constitutional monarch. Liberals distrusted the monarch’s willingness to accept the new constitutional order. Therefore, they arranged for him to travel straight to Madrid to swear to accept
Read More