Decline of the Spanish Monarchy (17th Century)
The Decline of the Spanish Monarchy in the 17th Century
Philip III (1598-1621)
Philip III inherited a vast empire from his father, but also massive debt and ongoing wars with England and the Netherlands. The Duke of Lerma, and later the Duke of Uceda, controlled the government. Lerma’s attempts to address the depleted royal treasury through currency devaluation proved unsuccessful. While Philip III’s reign initially saw peace treaties with England and a truce with the Netherlands, Spain later entered
Read MoreRussian Revolutions: From Tsarism to Soviet Rule
Marxist Socialism
Marxist socialism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, analyzed the contradictions within the capitalist system and how these lead to its destruction. For Marxists, class struggle fueled social change, with social relations arising from the means of production at each stage of human evolution. Marx called these stages “modes of production.” During his time, capitalism, characterized by the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, was developing. Marx’s most
Read MoreEros and Psyche by Antonio Canova
1. General Information
1.1 Description
Eros and Psyche is a sculpture by Antonio Canova (1757-1822), created between 1787 and 1793. It exemplifies the neoclassical style and resides in the Louvre Museum. A copy exists at the Villa Carlotta (Lake Como), Italy.
1.2 Artist Background
Antonio Canova (1757-1822) was a prominent Italian neoclassical sculptor. Born in Possagno, he began as a mason, but his move to Venice in 1768 launched his sculpting career. Early works displayed a naturalistic style, but
Read MoreSpanish Second Republic Reforms and Conflicts (1931-1936)
Spanish Second Republic: Reforms and Conflicts (1931-1936)
Reforms of the Republic
Agrarian Reform
Establishment of the Wing aimed to redistribute land suitable for cultivation. However, due to its complexity, bureaucratic difficulties, lack of budget, and resistance from landowners, it was unsuccessful.
Reform of the Centralized State
This reform granted historical nationalities the right to own institutions and statutes of autonomy. Catalonia initiated the process, establishing the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Read More18th Century Spain: Enlightenment and Crisis
Illustration and Despotism
The Enlightenment Ideas
The Enlightenment was a thought current characterized by the use of reason. It arose in the United Provinces and England, with France as its diffuser in Europe and America. Its characteristics are summarized in the following postulates:
- Dominance of critical reason as opposed to tradition and religious dogma.
- Religious tolerance.
- Interest in productive activities and improving the living conditions of people to achieve happiness.
- Importance of education
Bourbon Absolutism and Enlightenment in 18th Century Spain
1. The War of Dynastic Succession
1.1 The International Conflict
The succession of Charles II, the last Habsburg, caused a major political crisis. His testament named Philip of Anjou (Philip V) as his successor. France supported Philip V, while Archduke Charles of Austria also claimed the throne. This sparked a war involving Austria, Great Britain, the United Provinces, Portugal, Savoy, and Prussia against France and Spain. In 1711, Archduke Charles inherited the Austrian throne, leading the United
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