The Rise of Nazi Germany: From Post-War Crisis to Totalitarian State
Post-War Crisis
Two fundamental factors marked the first postwar years: the excessive harshness of the Versailles Treaty, by which Germany was treated as the sole culprit of the First World War, and peace terms that forced Germany to pay very high financial reparations. Harsh land concessions were imposed; much of Germany was divided between France, Belgium, and Poland. Politicians of the new Weimar Republic were considered traitors for having accepted the conditions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Civil Directory: Policy, Opposition & Fall
Primo de Rivera’s Civil Directory (1925-1930)
In December 1925, Miguel Primo de Rivera suggested to King Alfonso XIII that the Military Directory be replaced by a civilian government, marking the beginning of the Civil Directory period.
A National Consultative Assembly was convened in 1927. It consisted of 400 members, elected by limited suffrage, and was charged with drafting a new constitution. This proposed constitution outlined a state lacking national sovereignty and separation of powers. It
Read MoreDecline of Dictatorship and Monarchy in 1920s Spain
Economic and Social Policy
Economic Policies
The dictatorship prioritized economic benefits, mirroring the Roaring Twenties. The government supported public works and enacted decrees to protect domestic industry. However, state enterprises struggled to compete with foreign entities. Monopolies, such as Telefónica, were granted, and CAMPSA was awarded oil distribution and sales, leading to state indebtedness.
Social Policies
The dictatorship introduced a labor regulation model aimed at eliminating social
Read MoreEncomienda System, Mudejars, and Moriscos in Spanish History
The Encomienda System in the Americas
Originating in medieval Spain, the Encomienda system established a relationship of dependency, either free or forced, where peasants were under the protection of a lord in exchange for income or tribute. It was introduced to America in the sixteenth century, where conquistadors were granted indigenous people on their lands. These individuals worked for the encomenderos, who were, in return, supposed to ensure their evangelization.
The principles and theoretical
Read MoreFeminism, Pacifism, Environmentalism: Shaping Society
Feminism
Following the incorporation of women into the workplace and education, their roles began to shift. As women became more independent and achieved higher levels of education, feminism emerged as a significant social movement in the U.S. and Europe.
In 1949, Simone de Beauvoir published The Second Sex, often referred to as “the bible of feminism.” This influential work argued that women were not individually identified in the same way as men and that the characteristics defining a “normal” woman
Read MoreHabsburg Spain: Charles I and Philip II’s Dominance
Charles I: A New Dynasty and Vast Inheritance
Charles I was the first king of the new Habsburg dynasty in Spain. Due to a well-planned marriage policy, Charles I inherited a wide range of territories and also became Holy Roman Emperor (as Charles V).
Territorial Inheritance
The territories he inherited include:
- From his mother’s side (Joanna of Castile):
- From Isabella I, his grandmother: Castile, Navarre, Granada, the Canary Islands, territories in North Africa, and the newly discovered territories in