Causes and Key Stages of the French Revolution
Causes of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was triggered by a combination of factors:
Ideas of the Enlightenment
Enlightenment thinkers promoted ideas such as the equality of all people under the law, the separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. These concepts challenged the existing absolute monarchy and social hierarchy.
Political Crisis
France was an absolute monarchy ruled by Louis XVI. The King refused to hold the Estates General, preventing the Third Estate from presenting their
Read MoreKey Terms of Francoist Spain
Autarky
Autarky is an economic approach whereby the needs of the nation are met within the nation itself. It embraces self-sufficiency, does not need external influences, is not affected by outside influences, and depends on its own resources. Also known as a closed economy, it aims to become self-sufficient. For Franco, it was a necessity and a virtue. It lasted 20 years, from 1939 to 1959. These years proved to be a time of hunger, misery, and difficult survival. The state took part in the regulation
Read MoreSpain in the 1970s: Opposition, Sahara, and Franco’s Death
6.2. Opposition and Repression in Late Francoism
In the 1970s, there was a dramatic growth of social unrest and political protest. Student and labor protest considerably increased (strikes and manifestations), and pro-opposition groups promoted the establishment of bodies to demand the unification of democratic forces and prevent the continuation of the Franco regime.
On July 1971, the Assembly of Catalonia was established, which encompassed all the Catalan opposition. In 1974, through PCE initiatives,
Read MoreUGT-CNT Manifesto and the 1917 General Strike in Spain
UGT-CNT Joint Manifesto
Context and Source
The text provided is a politico-historical commentary. It is a primary source of clear political content, dated 1917. It relates to the period of the Restoration crisis during the reign of Alfonso XIII. The authors are collective and represent the two main syndicalist workers’ organizations in the country: the CNT (anarchist affiliation) and the UGT (socialist). The text is addressed to public opinion with the intention of reporting workers’ claims and stating
Read MoreFranco’s Spain: State Structure and Ideology
Cultural Consequences of the War
The war was also a cultural catastrophe. Most intellectuals rallied in support of the Republic and were subsequently exiled, meaning the country lost most of its prominent writers, artists, and professionals.
Establishing the Francoist State
On April 1, 1939, the Spanish Civil War ended. Franco’s victory gave him absolute power, marking the beginning of a long dictatorship.
Franco’s Consolidation of Power
Franco brought together the diverse forces opposed to the Republic,
Read MoreKey Aspects of the Cold War Era
Main Cold War Players and Context
Who were the main Cold War players?
The primary players were the United States (U.S.) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Great Britain also played a significant role, particularly in the early stages.
Cold War vs. World Wars: Key Differences
Unlike the Second World War, the Cold War did not end with a comprehensive peace treaty signed by all belligerents. Hostility between the U.S. and the USSR prevented an agreement accepted by both winners and losers
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