Spanish History: Key Figures, Events, and Concepts

Posted on Feb 6, 2025 in History

Spanish History: Key Concepts and Figures

1. Matching Exercise

  • VI-VII, Implemented-Repealed
  • Pragmatic Sanction-Salic Law
  • The Criollo Bourgeoisie-Spain
  • The Spanish Constitution of 1876 declares Isabella-Cánovas del Castillo
  • Chamber of Representatives- Congreso de los Diputados
  • Are not elected – Senators
  • Must be at least 30 years old – Senators
  • Every 75000-Universal Suffrage
  • Six years-Three years (Congress Deputies)
  • Quitar el ‘not’ de ‘not inviolable’ – Inviolable

2. Completing Sentences

  • The main causes of… the crisis of the monarchy
  • Amadeo I was a liberal monarch chosen to take the throne

3. What was the First Republic?

The First Republic was a regime that prepared a program of economic and social reforms.

4. Complete the Following Sentences

  1. The crisis of the monarchy led to the abdication of Amadeo, which aimed to abolish the monarchy and establish a republican political system.
  2. During the Sexenio Democrático (Six-Year Democratic Period).

5. Questions in English

  • What role did the army play? Military leaders became political leaders.
  • What were the most important events of the crisis of the Ancien Régime? French invasion, Mutiny of Aranjuez, and War of Independence.
  • What was Ferdinand VII’s position? Was absolutist.
  • What were the consequences of Spanish American independence? Spain lost tax revenues.
  • Which social group supported Isabella? Upper bourgeoisie, landowners.
  • Why did the First Republic fail? Division between republicans, opposition of monarchists, wars, etc.

6. Definitions

  • Pronunciamiento: Military uprising
  • Carlism: Movement that supported Carlos María Isidro
  • Salic Law: Law that prohibited women’s reign

7. Defining People

  • Ferdinand VII: Spanish monarch who defended absolutism.
  • Espartero: Progressive general, regent, and prime minister.
  • Amadeo of Savoy: King during the Democratic Sexenio.
  • Joseph I: King of Spain (1808-1813), Napoleon’s brother.
  • Simón Bolívar: Politician who led the independent movement in South America.
  • Prim: Progressive general who was murdered in 1870.
  • Infante Carlos: Ferdinand VII’s brother who did not recognize his cousin Isabella’s right to the throne.
  • Narváez: Moderate general, the most influential politician during Isabella’s reign.
  • Cánovas del Castillo: Conservative politician who ruled Spain during the Bourbon Restoration.

8. Differentiation Exercise

  • Carlists/Liberals: They supported Don Carlos/Isabella II.
  • Moderates/Progressives: They defended shared/national sovereignty.

9. Questions

  • What did the 1812 Constitution establish? Sovereignty resides in the nation, Cortes has legislative power, suffrage was universal, etc.
  • What did Ferdinand VII do when he returned to power? Ferdinand VII revoked the Constitution.
  • How did the independence of the colonies affect Spain? Spain became bankrupt.
  • Why did Ferdinand VII revoke the Salic Law? To ensure his daughter’s reign.

10. Textbook Exercise

Choose three areas of ideology and explain the differences: Moderates defended shared sovereignty, very limited suffrage, and restricted rights. Progressives defended national sovereignty, census suffrage, and individual rights.

What other political groups were there? How did their ideologies differ? Democrats promoted universal suffrage. Republicans wanted to establish a republic.

11. Complete Sentences

  1. María Christina supported moderate liberals.
  2. In 1843, Isabella was proclaimed queen.
  3. The Constitution of 1845 restricted suffrage and limited liberties.
  4. Carlists included rural inhabitants, clergy, and peasants.

12. Explain the Role of the Following People in Politics

  1. María Christina: Was regent between 1833 and 1840.
  2. Mendizábal: Confiscated church lands.
  3. Isabella II: Was queen between 1843 and 1868.
  4. O’Donnell: Created the Liberal Union.