Mercantilism, Society, and the Decline of the Spanish Empire
Mercantilism
Mercantilism is based on state intervention in the economy. Key characteristics include the accumulation of precious metals, maximizing exports, minimizing imports, and protecting domestic industries by avoiding raw material imports.
Stratified Society
This represents the old regime, where members have specific tasks defined by function rather than monetary compensation. These are divided into estates:
Privileges
Those with privileges, such as nobles, counts, and clergy, do not pay taxes.
Read MoreChristian Kingdoms’ Rise and Repopulation in Iberian Peninsula
The Rise of Christian Kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula
Navas de Tolosa: Christians defeated Muslims. This battle effectively led to the conquest of Andalusia by the Castilians.
Repopulation Methods
| Method | Centuries | Location | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presura System | 8th-10th | Deserted lands of the Duero River | Asturian laws promoted this system |
| Town Council System | 11th-12th | Duero, Tajo, Pyrenees, Ebro | The king gave some charters |
| Military Orders | 12th-13th | Tajo and Sierra Morena | Occupied these territories to defend the border against |
Iberian Ecology: Primates, Past Climates & Vegetation
A Primate in an Oak Grove
- The study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals concludes that Europe is generally not a favorable continent for primates, except for our species, Homo sapiens, for which all continents are suitable.
- The origin of hominids is in Africa; our arrival in Europe is relatively recent.
- Humans migrating from Africa to Europe had to adapt to local ecosystems, which were very different:
- First, the primate ancestor that later came to Europe stopped being exclusively
The Industrial Revolution: Origins, Innovations, and Impact
The Industrial Revolution: A Societal Transformation
The Industrial Revolution represented a profound qualitative and quantitative change, affecting not only the means of production but society as a whole. It began in England, where a series of circumstances allowed the development of a proto-industrial system that subsequently spread throughout Europe and the globe.
The First Industrial Revolution
The first phase began in England during the second half of the eighteenth century, marked by significant
Read MoreDemographic Indicators: Definitions and Factors
Demographic Indicators
Natural balance: Births – Deaths
Net migration: Immigrants – Emigrants
Birth rate: Births that occur in a population per thousand inhabitants in a given year
(2010) [Number of births / total population] x 1000
Death rate: Deaths that occur in a population per thousand inhabitants in a given year
(2010) [Number of deaths / total population] x 1000
Fertility rate: Average number of children women have in a population throughout their reproductive years (15-49)
[Number of births / women
Read MoreGlobal Challenges: Desertification, Waste, Pollution & Migration
Global Challenges: Environment, Waste, and Migration
Desertification: This significantly impacts the African continent, diminishing natural resources and potentially compromising future production. It also leads to a reduction in biodiversity, with many species becoming extinct before their potential in medicine and food production can be realized.
Waste Generation and Management
The generation of waste incurs major treatment costs. More proactive measures are needed to exploit waste as a resource
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