Imperialism and Colonialism: A Historical Overview
Economic Causes of 19th-Century Imperialism
Great Britain’s decline as the leading power led to a search for resources abroad. Private initiatives, later supported by public funding, aimed to acquire colonies, benefiting the bourgeoisie.
Demographic Factors
Overcrowding in Great Britain during the 1870s capitalist system crisis resulted in job losses and further fueled the need for expansion.
Political and Cultural Motivations
Colonies provided cultural prestige. Associations devoted to research and
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War: A Concise Overview
The Failure of the Coup d’état
General Goded’s Uprising
General Goded led the uprising in Catalonia, which had little support from the civilian population. Part of the army, especially the Civil Guard and the Assault Guard, remained loyal to the Republic. Leftist parties and trade unions actively resisted the coup. After two days of fighting, the military rebels withdrew.
The Coup’s Failure and the Division of Spain
The coup failed in Catalonia, Madrid, Basque industrial zones, Asturias, Santander,
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: From Monarchy to Republic
1. The Regency of Maria Cristina and the First Carlist War (1833-1843)
1.1. The Regency of Maria Cristina (1833-1840)
During the reign of Maria Cristina, Spain saw the rise of liberal and moderate political parties. The minority parties were led by Maria Cristina and Espartero, while the majority party consisted of the exiled Bourbons and supporters of democracy. During the Queen’s minority, a liberal government was established, leading to a period of transition and reforms. This period aimed to establish
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Coup and Dictatorship in Spain (1923-1930)
The Crisis of the Constitutional Regime and the Rise of Primo de Rivera
The Summer of 1917 and the Failure of Reform
The crisis in the summer of 1917 accelerated the decline of the constitutional regime established in 1876. The coalition government of 1918 failed to reform the system, contain inflation, and restore social order. This led to a five-year period (1919-1923) of Conservative majority governments characterized by high social conflict, suspension of constitutional guarantees, the military’
Read MoreThe Rise of the Labor Movement in Spain
Early Stages
The addition of steam to factories at the beginning of the 1830s fueled layoffs and produced some episodes of destruction of machinery, such as the fire at the Bonaplata factory in Barcelona (1835). But the impact of Luddism in Spain was limited. The first signs of organized labor were mutual aid societies. In 1840, the Mutual Protection Society of Cotton Weavers was founded in Barcelona, and similar societies soon proliferated throughout the country. However, the moderates banned most
Read MoreThe Restoration in Spain: Alfonso XII and the Canovist Project
On January 3, 1874, after the defeat in Parliament Castelar, Pavia dissolved the Parliament by force. Ending the Republican experience (February 11, 1873 -3 January 1874). The power passed to Serrano, who presided over a coalition of progressives and unionists tried to stabilize a system a conservative Republican.
Throughout this year, Canovas del Castillo, leader of alfonsino, will prepare the Bourbon restoration through the figure of Alfonso, son of Elizabeth II, who had renounced the throne