Almohad Dynasty Art & Architecture (1147-1269)
Almohad Art and Architecture (1147-1269)
Historical Context
Almohad art maintains close similarities with that of the preceding Almoravids but reflects the influence of a fundamentalist religious movement. This iteration of Islam sought a return to religious purity, which its proponents believed had been lost. The leader of this movement was Ibn Tumart, from a Berber tribe, who became the political and religious head of the Almohads (meaning “those who proclaim the unity of God”).
The movement originated
Read MoreSpanish History: Truce, Decrees, Armada, and Inquisition
Twelve Years’ Truce (1609)
Signed in 1609 between Philip III of Spain and the Dutch Republic (United Provinces), this truce marked a pause in the Eighty Years’ War, where the Dutch fought for independence from Spain. Philip II had previously abdicated rule over the Low Countries to his daughter Isabella Clara Eugenia and her husband, Archduke Albert, but this did not resolve the conflict.
Reasons leading to the truce included:
- Religious struggles
- Economic and financial difficulties
- War fatigue on both
Spanish History: Trafalgar, Politics, and Society (1800s)
19th Century Spanish History Highlights
Napoleonic Conflicts & Upheaval
Battle of Trafalgar (1805)
The Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805, off Cape Trafalgar (Cádiz Province). It pitted the allied Franco-Spanish squadrons, commanded by French Vice-Admiral Pierre Villeneuve (with Spanish Lieutenant General Federico Gravina under his command), against the British fleet led by Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.
Peninsular War Origins
Charles IV, France & Fontainebleau Treaty
Under
Read MoreOctober 1934: The Spanish Revolution and its Aftermath
The October 1934 Revolution
In October 1934, escalating political tensions in Spain culminated in a revolutionary uprising. Alejandro Lerroux’s government, accused of being monarchist, fascist, and anti-worker, faced opposition from the left. This led to a planned general strike on October 5th in Asturias and Catalonia, although the strikes unfolded differently in each region.
Asturias
In Asturias, the miners launched a social revolution. Prior coordination between anarchists, socialists, and communists
Read MoreAncient Greek History: From Mycenae to Athenian Democracy
Periods of Greek History
- Mycenaean Civilization (18th-12th century BC): Depicted in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
- Archaic Period: Political evolution began, leading to the development of the Polis.
The Polis: The City-State
The Polis was an independent and sovereign city-state, typically formed by:
- Acropolis (Upper Town): The seat of government and temples.
- Asty (Lower Town): The residential area and center of political and economic life.
During the 8th and 7th centuries BC, various Polis began colonizing
Read MoreThe Impact of Franco’s Dictatorship on Spain’s History
Franco took control of Spain from the moment he won the war until his death. This government was a forty-year dictatorship following a three-year war that devastated the country.
In the 1960s, the “economic miracle” brought welfare (a very good situation), but with the economic development, citizens began mobilizing to demand more freedom. The Franquist government’s response was to intensify repression.
Ultimately, Franquism entered a period of decline as Franco’s life was coming to an end.
Franquisim
Read More