19th Century Spain: Elizabeth II & Cuban War
Main Features of the Reign of Elizabeth II (1833-1868)
To understand the main characteristics of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, one should focus on the constitutions enacted during this period, as they provide the legal framework and reference for policy actions. These are:
- Constitution of 1837 (amended in 1840 and inspired by progressive forces until 1845). National sovereignty, shared with a tendency to extend the monarch’s powers. Bicameralism. Census suffrage. Religious tolerance.
- Constitution of
Alfonso XIII & Primo de Rivera Manifestos: Analyzing Spain’s Transition
Alfonso XIII Manifesto
Alfonso XIII Manifesto
This 1931 manifesto is a primary historical and political source. Written by Alfonso XIII, son of Alfonso XII, who ascended to the throne at 16 in 1902, his reign lasted until the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic. Forced into exile in France, he published this document in the ABC daily on April 17, 1931, following municipal elections that led to the Republic’s creation.
In the first paragraph, the king addresses the April 12th municipal elections,
Read MoreFranco’s Spain: Ideology, Society, and Repression
Introduction
After the Civil War, Spain was devastated. Franco’s victory brought not peace but the systematic erasure of republican society. Historians refer to this period as Francoism. The regime was supported by political families that provided its ideological principles. Franco’s main characteristic was the accumulation of power, which became entrenched over time.
The political landscape evolved through distinct stages:
- Stage 1: Autarky
- Stage 2: The End of Isolation
- Stage 3: Technocracy and Economic
Spanish Civil War: International Dimensions
International Dimensions of the Spanish Civil War
Context: Europe in the 1930s
The Second Spanish Republic emerged amidst a profound economic crisis in Europe, marked by a political split between democratic, fascist, and communist ideologies. This tension was reflected in Spain, where the rise of fascist and communist groups before 1936 was perceived as an external threat by both sides.
International Involvement
The Spanish Civil War quickly became an international conflict. Progressive public opinion
Read MoreSpain’s 1868 Revolution: Causes, Events, and Democratic Shift
Causes of the Revolution
- Financial Crisis: The railroad’s failure to generate expected profits, coupled with Spain’s weak industrialization, led to a public debt crisis. Banks were unable to recover loans, triggering an industrial crisis.
- Industrial Crisis: The American Civil War caused a cotton shortage in Catalonia’s textile industry. Rising cotton prices forced many small businesses to close.
- Subsistence Crisis: A wheat shortage increased prices, leading to hunger. Combined with the industrial crisis,
Spain’s Crisis: Monarchy Collapse and Primo de Rivera Era
Bankruptcy of Parliamentary Monarchy (1917-1923)
Alfonso XIII’s reign faced instability post-WWI. Economic crisis, social conflicts like the Bolshevik triennium, and the influence of the Russian Revolution led to violent strikes, particularly in the agricultural sector. Free trade unions emerged against CNT and UGT, mobilizing over 800,000 workers. Terrorism escalated due to the ‘fugitive law,’ resulting in 400 violent deaths in Barcelona in 1920. The Moroccan War caused thousands of casualties.
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