Transformations in the Late 19th Century: Europe and Spain
The Second Half of the Nineteenth Century
During the second half of the nineteenth century, capitalism was consolidated in the more advanced countries, and states in the modern sense emerged, with a central government, unitary legislation, a common tax system, etc.
In social terms, the bourgeoisie and proletariat were very widespread, whose clashes were ongoing. In parallel, the old nobility continued to decline. Although the bourgeoisie and nobility continued fighting over power, the middle class
Read MorePost-Colonial Challenges & African Independence Paths
Colonial Legacy: Problems of New Countries
Newly decolonized countries faced serious problems, both economic and political. Some were inherited from the decolonization process itself, while others stemmed from difficulties integrating into the international system and achieving internal stability.
Key limitations included:
- Economic Impoverishment: Characterized by low per capita income levels, the prevalence of the primary sector, and very low economic growth.
- Lack of Infrastructure: A major problem
Causes and Key Stages of the French Revolution
Causes of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was triggered by a combination of factors:
Ideas of the Enlightenment
Enlightenment thinkers promoted ideas such as the equality of all people under the law, the separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. These concepts challenged the existing absolute monarchy and social hierarchy.
Political Crisis
France was an absolute monarchy ruled by Louis XVI. The King refused to hold the Estates General, preventing the Third Estate from presenting their
Read MoreKey Terms of Francoist Spain
Autarky
Autarky is an economic approach whereby the needs of the nation are met within the nation itself. It embraces self-sufficiency, does not need external influences, is not affected by outside influences, and depends on its own resources. Also known as a closed economy, it aims to become self-sufficient. For Franco, it was a necessity and a virtue. It lasted 20 years, from 1939 to 1959. These years proved to be a time of hunger, misery, and difficult survival. The state took part in the regulation
Read MoreSpain in the 1970s: Opposition, Sahara, and Franco’s Death
6.2. Opposition and Repression in Late Francoism
In the 1970s, there was a dramatic growth of social unrest and political protest. Student and labor protest considerably increased (strikes and manifestations), and pro-opposition groups promoted the establishment of bodies to demand the unification of democratic forces and prevent the continuation of the Franco regime.
On July 1971, the Assembly of Catalonia was established, which encompassed all the Catalan opposition. In 1974, through PCE initiatives,
Read MoreUGT-CNT Manifesto and the 1917 General Strike in Spain
UGT-CNT Joint Manifesto
Context and Source
The text provided is a politico-historical commentary. It is a primary source of clear political content, dated 1917. It relates to the period of the Restoration crisis during the reign of Alfonso XIII. The authors are collective and represent the two main syndicalist workers’ organizations in the country: the CNT (anarchist affiliation) and the UGT (socialist). The text is addressed to public opinion with the intention of reporting workers’ claims and stating
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