Political Dynamics and Aftermath of the Spanish Civil War
Political Evolution During the Spanish Civil War
Political Dimension: Republican Side
Initially, José Giral of the Republican Left was named president. His government decided to provide arms to the civilian population, causing militants to take effective control of the streets. For a time, a revolution was underway on the Republican side. Two basic models clashed:
- The CNT, FAI, and POUM favored collectivization of land and factories.
- The PSOE and the PCE tried to restore order and centralize decision-
French Revolution, Napoleonic Era, and Vienna Congress
Principles of Liberalism
Key tenets included:
- Separation of powers
- National sovereignty (vested in citizens)
- Suffrage (voting rights)
- Separation of church and state
- Freedom of expression
- Existence of a constitution
The French Revolution (1789-1791)
Causes of the Revolution
- Economic Reasons: A significant financial crisis lasting seven years, coupled with subsistence crises.
- Socio-political Reasons: Widespread social unrest, particularly among the bourgeoisie who desired greater political influence. The church
Global Imperialism: Asian Colonization, US Expansion & WWI Origins
European Imperialism in 19th Century Asia
The nineteenth century also saw European penetration into Asia, involving not only established powers but also emerging ones like Russia, the United States, and Japan. British colonization focused on India. Following the Sepoy Mutiny, the British government assumed direct control, establishing a Viceroyalty. Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India.
French expansion centered on Indochina, leading to conflicts in Southeast Asia. France established the
Read MoreFeudal Society: Structure, Roles, and Daily Life
Feudal Social Structure
In medieval society, laws did not apply equally to everyone. Society was divided into two main groups: the privileged classes (nobility and clergy) and the non-privileged classes (peasants and artisans). The privileged classes enjoyed numerous rights and few duties, while the non-privileged classes had many duties and limited rights. At the apex of the feudal system stood the monarch, recognized as the primus inter pares (Latin for ‘first among equals’).
The Three Estates
It
Read MoreSpanish Prisoners in Mauthausen-Gusen: Deportation & Survival
Spanish Deportees to Mauthausen
Initially, Spain was unaware of the large number of compatriots deported who died in these Austrian facilities by 1945. According to recent research, there were more than 7,000 Spanish victims, most of them in the Gusen camp, five miles from Mauthausen. The journey was long and arduous for all of them.
In the Stalags (prisoner-of-war camps), distributed throughout the territories occupied by the Third Reich, specific laws applied to prisoners of war, allowing many Spanish
Read MoreEconomic Liberalism, Enlightenment, and 18th Century Society
Economic Liberalism
Based on the ideas of Adam Smith, economic liberalism’s basic principle is that the state should not intervene in the process of production or exchange of goods. It argues for freedom of production for business owners, allowing them to produce according to market demands.
- Free Trade: The exchange of goods between countries without any restrictions.
- Free Competition: Forces business owners to improve the quality of their products.
Political Ideas of the Enlightenment
- Montesquieu: Argued