The Spanish Habsburg Dynasty: Reigns, Conflicts, and Decline (1516–1700)
The Habsburg Dynasty in Spain: An Introduction
The Catholic Monarchs had planned for their son Juan to inherit their territories. However, with his death, the crowns of Spain were transferred from the House of Trastámara to the House of Habsburg. The Spain of the Habsburgs sought to become fully a Modern State, and with Carlos V, the crowns of Castile and Aragon were definitively united.
The first Habsburg rulers, Carlos I (V of Germany) and Felipe II (known as the Austrias Mayores or Major Habsburgs)
Read MoreThe Downfall of Latin American Leaders: Allende and Batista
Salvador Allende: Democratic Socialism in Chile
Salvador Allende was a Chilean democratic socialist politician and physician who became president of his Latin American country through open elections.[3]
Political Career and 1970 Election Victory
Allende’s involvement in Chilean political life spanned a period of nearly forty years. As a member of the Socialist Party, he served as a senator, deputy, and cabinet minister. He unsuccessfully ran for the presidency in the 1952, 1958, and 1964 elections.
Read MoreThe Old Regime and Enlightenment Reforms in 18th Century Spain
Society of the Old Regime (18th Century)
Eighteenth-century society was divided into estates, which were closed social groups based on birth.
The Estate System
Privileged Classes
The privileged classes owned the most land, paid no taxes, and bore few public charges. They included:
- The Clergy (2% of the population): Controlled over 40% of landed property, possessing great economic power due to income from amortized property (the ‘dead hand’). Their function was to educate and uphold religious values.
- The
The Reign of Isabel II: Crises, Liberalism, and the Fall of the Monarchy
Support for Isabel II and the Liberal Shift
The main support for the regime of Isabel II came from the Elizabethan faction of the nobility, officials, and a section of the church hierarchy. Facing Carlism, the monarchy realized the need to broaden its social base and was forced to seek membership among the Liberals. Isabel II agreed to the demands of the Liberals, who in turn demanded an end to absolutism.
Consequences of the Desamortización (Confiscation)
The policy of *Desamortización* (disentailment)
Read MoreKey Figures and Movements of the Spanish Second Republic Era
Hedilla
Spanish politician affiliated with the Spanish Falange. In 1935, he was the head of Santander province, and in 1936, he became the leader of the northern area. During the Civil War, he was appointed chairman of the Joint Command of the Falange. He notably opposed the unification of the Carlists and Falangists into a single party.
HISMA-ROWAK
These were two companies (Rowak and Hisma) involved in supporting German nationals and trade. They were instrumental in the compensation mechanisms related
Read MoreInternational Intervention and the Spanish Civil War Aftermath
International Support in the Spanish Civil War
The international dimension of the conflict began when the Nationalists were supported by the fascist powers, Italy and Germany, which provided equipment and troops to the insurgent army.
The Policy of Non-Intervention
In September 1936, France and England formed a Committee of Non-Intervention, joined by the major European powers. The policy of non-intervention particularly harmed the Republican government, as France and England offered no help and even
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