Basque Autonomy and the Civil War (1917–1937) – Key Events
Introduction
The desire for self-government took the form of a statute of autonomy. The moderate sector of Basque nationalism, the Euskalerriacos (mainly CNV), promoted a campaign in favour of autonomy in 1917.
Spanish and international context: At the end of the First World War there were problems of nationalities, and the proposals for peace and the rights of self-determination were decisive.
In this context, Eusko Ikaskuntza emerged (1918), promoted by the four diputaciones to study Basque subjects.
Spanish Restoration and 20th Century Political Systems
Key Concepts of the Spanish Restoration
Restoration: This refers to the historical period from the pronouncement of Arsenio Martínez Campos at the end of the First Spanish Republic until the proclamation of the Second Republic. It is characterized by institutional stability, the construction of a liberal state model, and the incorporation of social and political movements that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. The period saw a decline leading up to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.
Regeneracionismo:
Read MoreEuropean Political Transformation: 16th Century to Vienna 1815
Political Systems in the Modern Era (15th–18th Centuries)
The political systems of Europe evolved significantly from the 15th to the 18th centuries, moving away from centralized monarchical control toward shared governance.
- 16th Century: An authoritarian monarchy prevailed in Spain, where the monarch held power, often influenced by the nobility. The court, including nobles and clergy, retained a say in matters of taxation and territory control.
- 17th Century: Absolutist Monarchy emerged, exemplified
The Spanish Monarchy: Habsburg Decline and Bourbon Reforms (17th-18th Centuries)
The Habsburgs of the 17th Century: Favorites and Conflicts
Under Charles I and Philip II, royal secretaries never exceeded the status of assistants to the King. However, starting with Philip III, the role of the *valido* (favorite or chief minister) became dominant.
Philip III (1598–1621) and the Duke of Lerma
Philip III’s first favorite, the Duke of Lerma, lacked political education and honesty. He was wasteful, corrupt, and sold offices. He was eventually appointed cardinal to avoid execution (
Read MoreFranco Regime: Dictatorship Foundations and Spanish Stages
The Franco Regime: A Dictatorship
The Franco regime was a true dictatorship. Adjectives may vary, but it is essential to remember that Franco held all the power. Franco blamed liberalism for all of Spain’s ills. The regime was obsessed with the alleged threats of Freemasonry and Communism, ideologies always presented as foreign and hostile to Spain.
Foundations of the New State
The structure was a mixture of military dictatorship and an absolute totalitarian state without a king. All powers were concentrated
Read MoreAmerica’s Transformation: WWI, Wilson, and the Expansion of Federal Power
The United States and World War I: A Pivotal Transition
The United States’ involvement in World War I (WWI), or the Great War, marked a pivotal transition in American history. This period was characterized by an initial commitment to neutrality, a rapid mobilization under the banner of Progressive ideals and moral imperialism, and a subsequent descent into political repression and international disillusionment. From 1916 to 1920, the nation shifted dramatically, expanding the scope of federal government
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