19th Century Liberalism: Political Parties, Power Struggles, and Progressive Reforms in Spain
19th Century Liberalism in Spain
Political Parties and Power Dynamics
During the 19th century, Spanish political parties clustered around influential figures, forming complex networks of personal and financial interests. These parties competed for power and influence, shaping the political landscape of the era.
Moderates
This diverse group, composed of landowners, merchants, and intellectuals, prioritized order and stability. They defended property rights and restricted suffrage based on wealth. Moderates
Read More16th-Century Spain: Rise and Fall of the Spanish Empire
Impact of America on Spain
From the beginning of the discovery, the potential for commercial exploitation of the newly found territories was evident. The American Conquest facilitated an exchange of agricultural products previously unknown on either side of the Atlantic. Corn, potatoes, cocoa, tobacco, and peanuts were the most significant contributions from America. However, gold and silver were the greatest riches extracted from the Americas.
The new territory became a major source of income for
Read MoreThe Labor Movement (1789-1914): Causes, Consequences, and Key Figures
The Labor Movement (1789-1914)
Causes: Exploitation of Workers
- Unemployment
- Long Hours
- Low Wages
In the mid-eighteenth century, especially in England, working conditions changed drastically. The decline of guilds and traditional production methods led to workers becoming proletarians, exchanging their labor for wages. Mechanization caused high unemployment rates.
Unemployment, long hours, low wages, and harsh labor discipline spurred the labor movement, fostering awareness of exploitation and encouraging
Read MoreThe Franco Regime: Foundations, Support, and International Relations
The Creation of the Franco Regime
Ideological Foundations and Social Supports
The Franco regime was a right-wing authoritarian political regime that, despite the defeat of fascism in Europe in World War II, remained in power in Spain for almost 40 years. It began after Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War (April 1939) and ended with the dictator’s death (November 1975).
Throughout its duration, the regime was characterized as a dictatorship where Franco held absolute power. His leadership was
Read MoreFranco Dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975): History, Politics, and Society
Franco’s Regime in Spain (1939-1975)
Franco’s System: Features and Foundations
Franco’s Political System
Francisco Franco’s regime, established after the Spanish Civil War in April 1939, was a dictatorship marked by concentrated power and suppressed freedoms. Key characteristics include:
- Absence of a formal constitution, replaced by a series of Fundamental Laws.
- A single, state-controlled labor union: the Trade Union Organization.
- A single political party: the Falange and the National Movement.
- Franco’
The Second Spanish Republic: From Dictatorship to Democracy
The Decline of the Restoration Regime (1917-1923)
Political and Social Instability
Following World War I, Spain faced a period of escalating political and social unrest. The Restoration regime, plagued by instability, struggled to address issues such as the rise of organized labor, union struggles, and colonial failures in Morocco.
Desperate attempts by dynastic parties to maintain power resulted in short-lived, ineffective governments. Despite resorting to electoral fraud, no single party could secure
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