Reign of Ferdinand & Isabella: State Organization & Colonial Expansion
The Organization of the State: Institutions of Government
The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella had medieval features while laying the groundwork for a modern state. To increase their power, state administration became more complex and required specialized lawyers and attorneys, mostly from the gentry.
Aragon
- Each kingdom had a viceroy (royal representative) with executive and judicial powers.
- The Council of Aragon was a consultative body and sometimes acted as the Supreme Court.
- Fernando introduced the
Spain’s Early 20th Century Turmoil: Political Instability, Social Unrest, and the Moroccan Crisis
1. Alfonso XIII and the Depletion of the Political System
1) The Restoration Crisis during the Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1931)
In May 1902, Alfonso XIII came of age and began his personal reign. The period between 1902 and 1923 (the beginning of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera) witnessed a permanent political crisis. The causes of the instability of successive governments were deep and manifold:
- A) The King’s personality: He played an active role in politics, was surrounded by the most conservative
Franco’s Spain: Dictatorship, Opposition, and Transition
Introduction
Franco ruled Spain as a dictator from the end of the civil war until his death in 1975. During the 1960s, Spain experienced economic development, attempting to adapt to global changes while maintaining its authoritarian system. However, Franco’s regime and his health weakened concurrently.
Political System Foundations
The dictatorship was based on the prohibition of political parties and the repression of opposition. The Movimiento Nacional was the sole political party. Several groups
Read MoreLatin American Revolutions: Socio-Political Transformations and Upheavals
Latin American Revolutions
Latin America was not immune to the global reality of rapid changes around the world: the Cold War, the bipolar world, communism, the arms race, capitalism, the revolutionary atmosphere, and dictatorships were also protagonists in the reality of its people.
In Latin America, the evolution was slow. Many still saw Subcomandante Marcos as a new Che Guevara, when in fact, while Che was a revolutionary hero, Marcos wanted to reaffirm democracy and defend the Maya identity. The
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: Key Events and Analysis
The Spanish Civil War
Military Developments
Phase 1: Initial Stages (Until December 1936)
The insurgents’ primary goal was to capture Madrid. With Italian support, they mobilized troops from Africa and advanced towards the capital. However, Madrid’s robust defense halted their progress, prompting the Republican government to relocate to Valencia. The Republic secured control of the north, from Galicia to the Basque Country, encountering significant resistance in Asturias. Simultaneously, Republican
Read MoreSpain’s Regency Era (1833-1843): Liberalism and Carlist Wars
Spain’s Regency Era (1833-1843)
The Dawn of Liberalism and the Carlist Wars
The early years of liberal rule in Spain during Isabel II’s minority coincided with the First Carlist War (1833-1840). This conflict, rooted in succession disputes and ideological clashes, would erupt twice more during the 19th century.
The First Carlist War (1833-1840): Causes and Conflicts
Causes of the Conflict
- The Succession Question: The legitimacy of Isabel II’s claim to the throne and her mother Maria Cristina’s regency