Spain Under Queen Isabella II: Politics, Wars, and Revolution
T.1 B.3: Queen Isabella II (1833-1868)
The reign of Queen Isabella II (1833-1868) begins with the establishment of a liberal regime characterized by national sovereignty, division of powers, and defined duties. Nine political parties emerged, broadly divided into two groups: Moderates and Progressives.
- Moderates: Supported by nobles, bureaucracy, and landowners. They favored shared sovereignty between the courts and the King, a bicameral legislature (Congress and Senate), restricted census suffrage,
French Revolution: Causes, Phases, and Legacy
Causes of the Revolution
In 1789, France was in crisis. An economic and social crisis, starting with the crop failures of the 1760s, showed the financial weakness of the state. The bourgeoisie was politically marginalized; the privileged classes could hold office and enjoy social recognition, but the bourgeoisie sought to end absolutism and the entire system of the Old Regime.
The French Revolution began with a revolt of the aristocracy. The privileged refused to pay taxes and requested that King
Read MoreFranco’s Regime in Spain: Politics and Economy
Franco’s Regime: A Deep Dive into 20th-Century Spain
Political Landscape of Franco’s Dictatorship
The Franco regime was a dictatorship characterized by opposition to communism and liberal democracy, and the defense of traditionalism in Spain. Franco concentrated all powers (legislative, executive, and judicial). All political parties and trade unions were illegal, except for the official party (FET y de las JONS) and a single union (CNS). Elections were suppressed, and Franco legislated by decree.
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Participants, Phases, and Effects
Causes of War
- France wanted to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine.
- The Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied and then annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, leading to nationalist protests by Serbians living in Bosnia and angering Russia (Serbia’s traditional ally).
- Industrialized European countries expanded their empires and competed for control of colonies, especially in North Africa.
- Britain and Germany engaged in a naval arms race, building powerful new battleships known as dreadnoughts.
The Alliances
- The Triple
The Ancien Régime, Enlightenment, and Succession War
The Ancien Régime
The Ancien Régime refers to the institutions that the revolutionary tradition sought to overthrow. This tradition included:
- Politically, identification with the absolute monarchy.
- Socially, a society based on estates.
- Economically, a command economy controlled by the State.
- Intellectually, attitudes and beliefs dominated by the principle of authority.
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment developed in Europe during the 17th century, mainly in France. Enlightenment thought was based on
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: Politics, International Impact, and Consequences
Spanish Civil War: Politics and International Dimensions
The Spanish Civil War (SCW) was an internal political conflict resulting from tensions that transformed into foreign intervention and an international conflict.
The International Context
The conflict developed at a critical moment in relations between European democracies and totalitarian regimes, following Nazi and Fascist expansionism, which led to fears of another world war. In this context, the SCW had a great international impact, manifested
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