Key Events and Treaties of Early 20th Century Europe
The Algeciras Conference (1906)
The Algeciras Conference (1906) resolved a conflict involving German Emperor Wilhelm II, who visited Tangier and championed Moroccan rights against France, accused of abusing its influence. A protectorate was established in Morocco: Northern Morocco went to Spain, while Southern Morocco fell under French protectorate.
The Balkan League and Wars
The Balkan League, a 1912 coalition of Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro, confronted Turkey to address religious and
Read MoreJoseph Bonaparte’s Reign in Spain (1808-1813)
Joseph Bonaparte, older brother of French Emperor Napoleon I, reigned as Joseph I of Spain from 1808 to 1813 during the Peninsular War. Prior to this, Joseph ruled Naples from 1806 thanks to Napoleon’s influence. His political career ended long before his death in Florence, Italy, in July 1844.
The Cortes: Spain’s parliamentary assemblies, known as Cortes, have existed since the beginning of constitutionalism. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, these bodies were also referred to as Estates,
Read MoreSpain Under Franco: Politics, Economy, and Society
Franco’s Regime: Design and Construction
The design and construction of the new Spanish state under Franco was determined by three key factors. At the top was the dictator, Generalissimo of the armies, head of state, and head of the single party. He drafted laws and appointed ministers, concentrating all power. In 1942, the Spanish Cortes replaced the parliament to work with the Head of State. The Franco regime was highly centralized, developing fundamental laws.
Suppression of Opposition
All opposing
Read MoreSpain’s First Republic: A Tumultuous Journey (1873-1874)
The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
A Tumultuous Beginning
Despite constitutional prohibitions, the House and Senate convened as a National Assembly, proclaiming the Republic and electing Estanislao Figueras as President. This followed the abdication of Amadeo I and aimed to establish a federal system based on the 1869 Constitution. While seemingly a dramatic shift, the political class remained largely unchanged, with the Republic arising from the King’s resignation as the only viable solution.
Read MoreEconomic Reforms and Political Changes in 19th Century Spain
Two Progressive: The new regime sought to promote economic reforms and a new statement of politics, but in 1856 he returned again to the moderates. The uprising of 1854 and the new progressive government: authoritarian government led to the moderate opposition in the uprising of progressive Democrats and some sectors. This union led to the pronouncement of VICALVARO, the head of which was O’Donnell, who founded the Liberal Union. The rebels drew up the so-called Manifesto Manzanares, calling for
Read MorePost-World War I Geopolitics: Reshaping Nations
Germany
The end of World War I brought profound political and social upheaval to Germany. The Weimar Republic, proclaimed in 1918, faced serious challenges:
- Radicalization of political positions: On the left wing, the Spartacus League, led by Karl Liebknecht (1871-1919) and Rosa Luxemburg, emerged. They founded the German Communist Party (KPD) in 1919. At the grassroots level, workers’ and soldiers’ councils, mirroring the Russian soviets, gained support from the Spartacus League.
- Separatist movements: