The Revolutions of 1820, 1830, and 1848: A Historical Analysis
The Revolutions of 1820 and 1830
In the Restoration era, liberals were often part of secret organizations, with the Masons being the most prominent. These groups saw themselves as heirs to the French Revolution and the Enlightenment, advocating for revolt against absolutism. They held influence in cities and sought to incorporate the townspeople.
This strategy was evident in the revolutionary wave between 1820 and 1824, which marked the first major challenge to the Restoration. Initial successes in
Read MoreSpanish War of Independence: Causes, Battles, and Constitution
Spanish War of Independence
The year 1808 marked the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence, triggered by the entry of French troops into Spain and the subsequent widespread popular discontent. Napoleon’s ambition was to seize control of Spain and install his brother, Joseph I, as the new king. The existing power struggles between Charles IV and his son, Ferdinand VII, played into Napoleon’s hands, making his intervention easier.
At Bayonne, Napoleon successfully persuaded both Charles and Ferdinand
Read MoreThe Second Republic of Spain: A Political Analysis
Proclamation of the Second Republic
The municipal elections of April 12 marked a clear shift in the political landscape. Considering itself the result of the ballot, on the morning of April 14th, the Republic was proclaimed in the town of Eibar, Guipúzcoa. Faced with this new situation, Alfonso XIII suspended royal power and decided to leave the country.
The new provisional government, presided over by Alcalá Zamora, was composed of radicals (Lerroux and Martinez Barrio), radical socialists (Albornoz
Read MoreCauses of World War II: Treaty of Versailles to Appeasement
The Peace Treaties of World War I
Harsh conditions were imposed on the defeated countries, especially Germany, and some victorious countries were dissatisfied, as in the case of Italy. This generated a feeling of humiliation and frustration in these countries, increasing nationalist sentiment in the masses.
The Great Depression
The economic crisis impoverished many people, and millions of workers became unemployed. European nations applied protectionist measures and tried to gain access to new markets
Read MoreOctober Revolution and 1929 Wall Street Crash: A Historical Analysis
The October Revolution
What began in February as an insurrection against Tsarist absolutism transformed, in just a few months, into the first socialist revolution in the world. Russia transitioned from autocracy to socialism in only seven months. The prestige of the Bolsheviks increased among the working classes, and their membership grew.
Lenin had returned to Russia from exile in Switzerland. Germany facilitated his passage, along with other socialist leaders, because they knew that the pacifist
Read More19th Century Spain: From Absolutism to Restoration
Ferdinand VII’s Reign and its Aftermath
Ferdinand VII returned to Spain. Initially, he was committed to restoring the Constitution of 1812. However, he later repealed the constitution and ruled as an absolute monarch. Colonel Priego led a revolt that forced the monarch to abide by the Constitution of 1812. The period from 1823 to 1833 was known as the “Década Ominosa” (Ominous Decade), characterized by an absolutist reign. Spain faced a difficult situation upon Ferdinand VII’s return due to the