The 1929 Crisis, World War I: Causes, Implications, and Political Shifts
The 1929 Crisis: Causes and Consequences
Origin of the Crisis
Causes
- Overproduction: During World War I, countries involved focused their production on the war economy. Other countries in the international market replaced them (U.S., Japan). When the war ended, traditional countries normalized their production, resulting in a surplus of products.
- Speculation: The U.S. economy saw speculation based on property and the stock market. Banks granted many loans to companies and used them to distort their
Spain’s Economy and Resistance Under Franco: The 1940s-50s
As a result of the war and the government’s economic policy, the 1940s decade was economically disastrous.
Autarchy and Economic Policy
The only economic policy followed was autarchy. With this, Franco aimed to be self-sufficient, in order to avoid importing foreign products.
Limited Imports and Support for Spanish Industries
Imports were limited. Franco stated that they could only buy the products that could not be produced in Spain. Moreover, he offered Spanish industries economic help and lighter
Read MoreSecond Spanish Republic: Reforms of the Biennium (1931-1933)
Reforming the Biennium (1931-1933)
Between 14 April 1931 and 19 November 1933, the Republican administration worked for forces of center-left.
The Provisional Government (14 April – 28 June 1931)
The provisional government of the republic, headed by Niceto Alcalá Zamora, convened elections for 28 June. The government declared the 8-hour workday and the obligation to give priority to workers a place to work out of their farms. It also ruled that the owners had all the land. Regarding education, the
Read MoreThe Labor Movement: Origins, Ideologies, and Organizations
The Labor Movement
The labor movement began in the mid-19th century. Its aim was to improve the poor living and working conditions of workers during the industrialization process. The level of development of the labor movement varied between countries, based on their level of industrial development, the class consciousness of the workers, whether or not there were laws permitting freedom of association, and how much the labor movement ideology influenced workers.
The Ideology: Socialism
Paradoxically,
Read More17th Century Europe: Conflicts, Politics & Culture
Key Conflicts and Treaties (17th Century)
- Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648): Began with a conflict in Germany between the Catholic emperor, who defended the unity of the Empire, and the Protestant German princes, who sought greater autonomy.
- Treaty of Westphalia (1648): Required the emperor to accept religious tolerance and acknowledge the power of the German princes, while Spain had to accept the independence of the United Provinces.
- Franco-Spanish War (1648-1659): France and Spain continued fighting
Spain’s Revolutionary Sexennium & the 1868 Glorious Revolution
The Revolutionary Sexennium (1868-1874)
The Sexenio Democrático, or Revolutionary Sexennium, was one of the most turbulent periods recorded in Spanish history. Politically, various forms of government were tested, ultimately ending with the Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II.
The ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1868
Causes of the Revolution
In September 1868, the so-called “Glorious Revolution” (La Gloriosa) erupted, beginning with a military uprising in Cádiz that gained
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