Spain’s 1808 Crisis and the Dawn of Liberalism
The Crisis of 1808
In 1808, bankruptcy and political instability plagued the Old Regime in Spain. These events marked the end of the Modern Age and the beginning of contemporary Spanish history.
1. Origins of the Crisis
To defeat England, Napoleon decreed the Continental System, aiming to economically strangle his rival. Portugal, refusing to comply, was invaded by Napoleon. In 1807, the Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed between Napoleon and Godoy, allowing French troops passage through Spain to Portugal.
Read MoreArchitectural Marvels of Spain: Seville Cathedral, Alhambra & Cordoba Mosque
The Seville Cathedral: A Gothic Triumph
A Legacy of Transformation
Located in Seville, the capital of Al-Andalus during the Almohad period (1172), the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See is the world’s largest Gothic Christian cathedral. Construction commenced in 1401, documented from 1433, on the site of the former Aljama Mosque. From the 12th-century Almohad mosque, new altars and worship spaces emerged after Seville’s reconquest in the 13th century. Seville, a significant capital, attracted foreign
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: From Uprising to Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War: A Concise History
The Uprising and Its Aftermath
On July 18, 1936, a military uprising against the Second Spanish Republic commenced, aiming to quell perceived anarchy and prevent a communist revolution. The failure of the initial coup divided Spain into two factions: the Nationalists (often referred to as “blues” or fascists) and the Republicans (often called “reds” or communists). The uprising, initiated on July 17 and 18 in Melilla, saw General Francisco Franco take control
Read MoreCatalan Political History and Socioeconomic Transformation
Political Catalanism
In 1714, communication was primarily oral, centered around family influence. Language served as the foundation of the nation, with a focus on defending civil code and protectionism. These factors contributed to the rise of political Catalanism.
Types of Catalanism
- La Renaixença: A conservative, bourgeois literary magazine established in 1881, with key figures like Jaume Massó i Torrents and Àngel Guimerà. It championed Catalan cultural identity.
- Iberian Federalism: Led by Valentí
19th-Century Labor Movements and Economic Concepts
Luddites
British workers (1779-1802) who destroyed machines that threatened their jobs.
Historical Materialism
Marx’s theory: the economy drives history. Modes of production define eras: from primitive societies to capitalism (bourgeoisie vs. workers) and ultimately socialism (a classless society).
Class Struggle
History is a conflict between social groups. It ends with revolution and abolishing social differences. Workers fight for economic gains and against the bourgeois state.
Dictatorship of the Proletariat
Read MoreBourbon Restoration in Spain: 1874-1931
Introduction
The Bourbon Restoration in Spain began with the return of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne after the 1868 revolution, known as the Glorious Revolution. This period lasted until the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931.
The first stage ran from General Martinez Campos’ pronouncement in Sagunto on December 29, 1874, until the death of Alfonso XII in November 1885. This period saw the consolidation of the liberal state.
The second stage began with the regency of Maria Christina
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