Spain’s 19th Century Conflicts: Carlist War and Liberal Triennium
The First Carlist War (1833-1840)
Absolutist-friendly groups refused to recognize Isabel II as the legitimate successor to the throne and revolted against the government of Maria Cristina de Borbón. The rebels proclaimed Infante Don Carlos as king, thereby starting a civil war.
Opposing Factions and Ideologies
The traditionalist and anti-liberal Carlists encompassed part of the clergy, the gentry, and a peasant social base, representing a conservative and archaic society. The Regent Maria Cristina,
Read MoreHistorical Colonial Systems and Imperial Power Dynamics
Historical Colonial Systems
The system of colonial occupation could have public and private colonies:
Private Colonies
This involved the economic exploitation by a company. The main interest was profit. In newly discovered territories, settlers, belonging to a country, discovered the colony and were not accountable to the metropolis, imposing their own rules. For example, the Belgian Congo began as a private economic venture under Belgian colonization, with the Belgian King as the top shareholder.
Read MoreFoundations of English History and Literature
Roman Britain: Motives and Impact
The Romans went to Great Britain for several reasons:
- Expansion of the Roman Empire
- Resources: The Romans were attracted by the rich agriculture of the south, tin and lead in the west, and the availability of slaves.
- Strategic Importance: Britain served as an offshore base.
During their presence, the Romans built paved roads and connected towns that developed as military, administrative, and trading centers.
Origins and Society of the Anglo-Saxons
Origins of the Anglo-
Read MoreKey Eras in European History: From Al-Andalus to Reformation
The History of Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain
Al-Andalus was the Muslim state established on the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century.
Conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom (711-718)
In 711, a Muslim army led by Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigoths in the Battle of Guadalete. By 722, they controlled almost all the peninsula except a narrow strip in the north, where the Visigoths took refuge.
From Dependent Emirate to Independent Caliphate
Initially, the Umayyad Caliph of
Read MoreLate 19th Century Global Shifts: Economy, Empires, and Modern Art
The Second Industrial Revolution
Finance Capitalism
Focuses on movements of money.
Industrial Capitalism
Centered on industrial productions.
Changes and Innovations of the Second Industrial Revolution
Energy Innovations
- Electricity: Hydroelectric generators and the electric light bulb.
- Oil: Kerosene and petrol. The petrol-powered car was an important invention in the late 19th century.
Technological Advancements
- New types of fibers (e.g., nylon).
- Innovations in cars and machinery.
Emergence of New Industries
- Electrical
Franco’s Final Decades: Economic Reform and Regime Crisis
Franco’s Later Years: Economic Boom & Rising Dissent
Economic Transformation and the Stabilization Plan (1957)
After the initial years of Francoism, technocrats, particularly members of Opus Dei, assumed significant posts in Franco’s 1957 cabinet. They aspired to economic integration with Europe, which meant Spain would be exposed to democratic influences. Measures proposed by these technocrats were incorporated into the Stabilization Plan, designed to:
- Curb inflation.
- Reduce government economic