Basque Language: Origins, History, and Dialects
The Basque language, known as Euskara, stands apart as a linguistic isolate, not directly related to major language families like Indo-European or Romance languages. It is a unique language within Europe, surrounded by Indo-European languages such as Romance (Spanish, French) and Germanic languages.
Basque and Other Languages
While Basque is not directly derived from Latin, it has been influenced by Romance languages. Over centuries, it has borrowed words from Gascon, Aragonese, Castilian, and French.
Read MoreSecond Spanish Republic: Military, Religious, Education
The Military Problem
Approach:
The army, as an institution, was offended by the alleged republican reforms. Many army soldiers were alarmed at the prospect of religious autonomy. Spain had lost all its overseas colonies. The army, mostly monarchist or conservative, viewed Republican reforms with deep suspicion.
Process:
Azaña, as Minister of War during the caretaker government, wanted to end the military macrocephaly. He sought to reduce its forces, ending the special privileges of the military and
Read MoreSpain’s Restoration: The Political System of Cánovas
The Political Regime of the Restoration and Cánovas System
After the six-year revolutionary period (Sexenio Revolucionario), the idea championed by Cánovas del Castillo to restore the Bourbon monarchy in the figure of Alfonso XII gained momentum. He intended this to be a political change, drafting a manifesto signed by the Prince at Sandhurst. However, the coup d’état by Martínez Campos precipitated events.
On January 1, 1875, Alfonso XII made his triumphal entry into Madrid, beginning his reign.
Read MoreBourbon Reforms: Centralization in 18th Century Spain
Bourbon Reforms & Centralization in Spain
The change of dynasty to the Bourbons was central. They implemented a uniform administrative model based on Castilian and French systems, leading to the abolition of most traditional charters (fueros) in the former Hispanic kingdoms.
These charters, known as fueros, were sets of rules, rights, and privileges granted by the monarch to specific locations, used in the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Ages.
The Nueva Planta Decrees
The first Spanish Bourbon
Read MoreOpposition Movements Against Franco’s Dictatorship in Spain
External Opposition to Franco’s Dictatorship
If anything defined the political opposition, it was division and confrontation. However, these forces coordinated to create an image of cohesion, hoping for an Allied intervention to end the dictatorship. In 1943, the Spanish Junta of Liberation was formed. To capitalize on the situation, the Republican government in exile was created. Based in Mexico, the Republican institutions continued until 1977, when they dissolved after the restoration of democracy
Read MoreSpain’s Popular Front: Prelude to Civil War (1936)
Popular Front (February-July 1936)
The Popular Front refers to the period of the Second Spanish Republic from February to July 1936. The name originates from the electoral coalition formed by Republicans and Socialists, later joined by Communists and Anarchists, as a strategy to counter the influence of Gil-Robles.
Origins and Stalin’s Influence
The origin of the Popular Front is closely related to the approach of Stalin’s policies.
The 1936 Election Campaign
The 1936 election campaign was highly virulent.
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