Spanish Civil War: Key Events and Political Developments (1936-1939)
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
1936: The Genesis of Conflict
Key Events:
- Triumph of the Popular Front (Left Republicans): Increased political polarization.
- Manuel Azaña’s Presidency: Attempted to maintain stability within the Republic.
- July 17: Military Insurrection Begins: Sparked by deep social and ideological divisions.
- October 1: Franco’s Government Established: Marked a significant turning point in the war.
Popular Front Aims:
- Continued reforms.
- Strengthening education.
- Amnesty for political prisoners.
The Lost Generation: Aftermath, Writers, and Impact of WWI
The Lost Generation
The Aftermath of World War I
It became evident that the world had changed forever. World War I ushered in a modern era of warfare with new fighting methods that affected an entire generation of young people. New technology introduced in WWI shaped the way wars would be fought from then on. Tanks, airplanes, and machine guns were used on the battlefield, magnifying the effects of the war on both combat and civilians. WWI had over 37 million casualties. Countries that were hit hardest
Read MoreHistorical Insights: Leopold von Ranke, Toys, Sports & More
Leopold von Ranke
Leopold von Ranke emphasized the utmost importance of information gathered through original documents. He also stated that all types of documents associated with a historical event need to be examined with the greatest care. He believed that with this method, it was possible to reach the historical truth. He criticized imaginative narration of history. A collection of his articles is published in two books, entitled ‘The Theory and Practice of History’ and ‘The Secret of World History’
Read MoreUrquiza’s Era: Confederation, Buenos Aires, and National Unity
Urquiza’s Rise and the Division of Argentina
After the defeat of Rosas, Urquiza rose to power and initiated the Agreement of San Nicolás to convene a congress for sanctioning the constitution. This agreement granted Urquiza full powers and invited the provinces to send delegates to a constitutional convention. All provinces except Buenos Aires sent deputies, as Buenos Aires sought greater representation due to its larger population, a request that was denied. Consequently, Buenos Aires was not represented
Read MoreUnderstanding Citizenship, Democracy, and Political Evolution
Citizenship, Democracy, and Political Evolution
Citizenship: The tie that binds an individual to a state, involving obedience to the authority and the law, and the realization of democracy. Democracy is the government in which sovereignty belongs to the people, exercising that power either directly or through representatives. Instead of representatives chosen by the people who are automatically vested with authority, it is they who make the decisions at the judicial and executive level, limiting
Read MoreKey Figures & Events in 19th Century Spain
19th Century Spain: Key Figures and Events
1820: A military uprising, intended for troops sailing to America to fight insurgents, led by Riego, forced King Ferdinand VII, unable to control the rebels, to swear to the Constitution of 1812. Thus began another brief period in Spanish history, the constitutional triennium.
1823: A French army entered Spain to restore Ferdinand VII to the throne as an absolute monarch. Meeting little resistance, these troops swept across the country, defeated the supporters
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