Spanish Civil War: Final Campaigns and International Involvement
The Battle of the Ebro and the End of the War (July 1938-April 1939)
The Republic attempted to prevent the Nationalist advance on Valencia by launching what became known as the Battle of the Ebro. The aim was to cross the Ebro River and envelop from the rear the Nationalist armies that had advanced from Teruel to the Mediterranean. This initiated a brutal battle of positions, attacks, and counterattacks involving intense artillery and aerial combat, lasting four months. There was immense loss of
Read MoreSpain’s 19th Century Political Landscape: Republic, Restoration, and Reforms
The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
After the abdication of Amadeo I, the Parliament declared the First Spanish Republic. It lasted only nine months and saw four different presidents: Estanislao Figueras, Francisco Pi i Margall, Nicolás Salmerón, and Emilio Castelar. Their time in office was marked by serious challenges.
Challenges of the First Republic
- The Cantonal Movement: This movement proposed the territorial organization of Spain as a federal republic of 17 “states.” In July 1873, independent
Chilean History: Crisis, Political Evolution, and Economic Development
Economic and Social Impact of the 1929 Crisis
- Closure and massive breakdown of nitrate mines and mining industries in the north of the country.
- Increase in unemployment rates, which by 1931 reached a 50% increase.
- Increased migration of workers seeking new jobs to cities in the central and southern regions, particularly Santiago. The arrival of large groups of people exacerbated health problems and urban public health, leading to strong social unrest. The spread of epidemics, hunger, and begging formed
The League of Nations: Key Events, Effectiveness, and Challenges
League of Nations: Early Incidents (1920-1925)
Vilna Dispute (1920): A League Failure
In 1920, Vilna, with its largely Polish population, was made the capital of the newly created state of Lithuania. The Poles found this unfair, and their army seized the city. Lithuania then appealed to the League of Nations. The League asked the Polish troops to withdraw, but Poland refused. The matter was then passed to the Conference of Ambassadors (a group of senior diplomats who oversaw matters arising from the
Read MoreUnderstanding World War II: Origins, Conflicts, and Aftermath
Causes of World War II
The Second World War, a global conflict of unprecedented scale, stemmed from a complex interplay of factors:
- Treaty of Versailles and Nazi Expansionism: The punitive terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which failed to adequately humble Germany, contributed to resentment and instability. This paved the way for aggressive Nazi expansionist policies.
- Economic Crisis of the 1930s: The Great Depression fueled political extremism and instability across Europe, weakening democratic governments
Isabella II’s Regency: Spain’s Path to Liberalism (1833-1843)
The Regency of Isabella II in Spain (1833-1843)
After the death of Ferdinand VII, his daughter Isabella was proclaimed queen. As she was a minor, a regency period was established, first led by her mother, Maria Christina, and later by General Baldomero Espartero. During these years, a dual conflict emerged: first between Liberals and Carlists, and later between moderate Liberals and Progressives themselves.
Maria Christina’s Regency (1833-1840)
Maria Christina initially favored absolutism, but the
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