European Discoveries and Renaissance: A Transformation
1. The Rise of European States
A. The 15th Century: Demographic and Economic Growth
The shift towards the Modern Age (16th-18th centuries) began in the mid-15th century with the emergence of powerful monarchies. Several factors contributed to this:
- Urban Revival: From the late Middle Ages, European cities grew in number and population. City dwellers, unlike feudal subjects, were protected by and paid taxes to the monarchy.
- Resurgence of Roman Law: Universities like Bologna and Salamanca revived Roman
The Spanish Second Republic: From CEDA to Popular Front
> 16.1 Radical-CEDA biennium .-
Reforms of social biennium feat polarized Spanish life and the regime Lican _ met with resistance from the sectors directly affected (the Church, army, landowners, employers’ organizations etc. ..) which were gradually joining in the defense of their interests. So at the end of 1932 created the CEDA
Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights) that encompassed all democratic parties of the right (royalists, Catholics, agricultural etc.). This party was led by Gil
The Canovas System & the 1876 Constitution: Spain’s Restoration Era
The Canovas System and the 1876 Constitution
The Restoration and Cánovas del Castillo
The Restoration’s political system is inextricably linked to Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. This former Minister of the Liberal Union held reactionary, undemocratic views and opposed universal suffrage. Yet, his pragmatism and realism fostered consensus among liberal forces, solidifying the Restoration regime. After orchestrating the Bourbons’ return to the throne and becoming a key political figure, he was assassinated
Read MoreWorld War I: A Concise Overview
The Road to War
In the years leading up to World War I, European nations engaged in a massive military buildup, extending conscription periods and using media propaganda to stoke nationalism and a sense of impending conflict. Chancellor Bismarck’s ambition to initiate a European war through Balkan conflict tragically underestimated the devastating consequences: ten million deaths, global involvement extending to China and Japan, the collapse of empires, and the rise of the U.S. as a global power.
Read MoreRestoration of the Political System in Spain (1876-1931)
The Political System Restoration
Constitution of 1876
The return of General Martínez Campos to power in December 1874 marked the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII. This new political system, shaped by Cánovas del Castillo, aimed to establish a British-style two-party system (Conservative and Liberal), promoting civilian governments and limiting military intervention in politics. The goal was a moderate constitution grounded in traditional values yet compatible with democracy.
Read More19th Century Spanish History: Reforms and Conflicts
Ports Francs in the Canary Islands
The Ports Francs Act involved economic measures liberalizing the entry and exit of goods in the Canary archipelago. This boosted the islands’ economy and provided tax incentives for trade. The islands’ economy was historically not complementary to mainland Spain’s, leading to their main markets being outside Spanish territories (except for the American colonies, with which strong commercial ties existed until their independence).
Cantonal Insurrection
The Cantonal
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