Birth of the United States and the Bourbon Dynasty
Birth of the U.S.
Since the early 18th century, inhabitants of the thirteen British colonies in eastern North America criticized British policies. They protested constant taxes and lack of political representation. Enlightenment ideals fueled desires for freedom and independence. Protests and uprisings against colonial authorities increased, met with harsh responses from the British army. In 1773, a new British tax on tea, a commodity in high demand, sparked further outrage. That December, Bostonians
Read MoreThe Cold War and Post-War Transformations
Unit 4: The World Split (The Cold War)
The Dawn of the Cold War
At the end of World War II, relations between the Soviet Union and the United States, now a superpower, underwent a radical change. For the next 40 years, both were the protagonists of the Cold War.
It was never a direct armed confrontation between the superpowers, but the danger to the entire planet was immense, since both countries possessed enough nuclear weapons to achieve the total destruction of the enemy.
The United Nations
After
Read More19th-Century Social and Political Movements
The Class Society
The bourgeoisie disrupted the social structure of the Old Regime, giving rise to a new society based on wealth. This new class society was characterized by social mobility and the loss of traditional privileges. The rise of the bourgeoisie as the dominant group in all aspects of life led to the emergence and development of a new class, the urban proletariat, composed of industrial workers. Individuals were categorized based on their means of production or their labor, which they
Read MoreSpain: From Crisis to Dictatorship (1910-1923)
The Crisis of 1917
Amidst international events and the outbreak of World War I, the conservative government of Eduardo Dato remained neutral. Three major movements converged with the goal of overthrowing the government:
- Military members
- Workers
- Politicians
The Military Movement
A vindictive military movement emerged, unhappy with the privileges of officers serving in Morocco. Juntas demanded improvements, causing the fall of the Liberal government of Garcia Prieto and the rise of the conservative Eduardo
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: The Battle of Madrid and the Northern Campaign
The Battle for Madrid
In the summer of 1936, Republican forces halted the Nationalist advance south of the Deva River. The Nationalists captured Ronda and Rio Tinto, followed by Talavera and Maqueda in September. Although the path to Madrid seemed open, Franco prioritized the relief of Nationalist rebels besieged in Toledo’s Alcázar. This propaganda victory delayed the Nationalist assault on Madrid, giving the Republicans time to prepare throughout October.
By mid-October, Nationalist forces under
Read MoreThe Reign of Isabel II (1843-1868)
1. The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)
In late 1843, Isabel II (13 years old) showed an inclination towards the moderates, leading progressives to withdraw from elections or support popular uprisings.
In May 1844, General Narvaez formed a government. His first actions were:
- Abolition of the National Militia and Municipal Councils Act (1845), transferring mayoral appointments to the Administration. This aimed to weaken progressive support.
- Creation of the Civil Guard (1844), a military force tasked with