Spanish Civil War: Nationalists vs. Republicans
National Zone
Military Uprising and National Defense Council
The lack of clarity regarding the rebels’ defined political project was evident. Among them was an amalgam of tendencies, including Carlists, Monarchists, Falangists, and Cedistas.
- Following the uprising, the military established the National Defense Council in Burgos. This council functioned as a sovereign power, declaring a state of war, coordinating military operations, assuming directorial duties, and initiating the repeal of republican
The French Revolution: Causes, Events, and Legacy
The French Revolution
Causes of the Revolution
France in the late 18th century faced a deep economic crisis impacting real estate. The American War of Independence further strained the economy. Economic and social reforms were proposed based on Enlightenment ideas, including taxing the privileged classes, but these were rejected. The refusal of the privileged to share the tax burden, coupled with rising wheat prices and widespread poverty, fueled discontent among the Third Estate (commoners).
Political
Read MoreThe Spanish Constitution of 1978: A Landmark Achievement
The Spanish Constitution of 1978
Background
The year 1978 marked a pivotal moment for Spain’s transition to democracy, legally solidified by the enactment of its new constitution. Prior discussions centered around “Democratic Coordination” and a political reform bill, advocating for free elections, amnesty, and a Constituent Assembly.
The Congress responsible for drafting the Constitution comprised representatives from various political parties:
- UCD (Pérez Llorca, Cisneros, and Herrero de Mignon)
- PSOE
The Spanish Bourbon Dynasty: Reforms and Foreign Policy
The Reign of Philip V
After the War of Succession, Spain became a secondary power in Europe. In domestic policy, the change of dynasty meant greater centralization and the implementation of an ambitious reform policy.
The Reign of Felipe V
a) A New Concept of State: Absolute Centrality
The arrival of a new dynasty brought important changes to the structure of the state. Centralizing measures were implemented, with the plan to create a better state. These changes were initiated during the reign of Felipe
Read MoreSpain’s Crisis of ’98: Colonial Loss & National Identity
Colonial War and the Crisis of ’98
Background: The First War in Cuba
Cuba, along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines, were the last remnants of Spain’s colonial empire after the independence movements of the early nineteenth century. Cuba was a prosperous island, producing sugar, coffee, cacao, and other tropical crops. The mechanization of agriculture, its intensification, and the use of slave labor had enriched the island. Most businesses were in the hands of Spaniards, but a wealthy and educated
Read MoreThe Second Republic: From Dictatorship to Reform
The Second Republic: From Dictatorship to Republic
Following the resignation of Primo de Rivera, King Alfonso XIII commissioned the formation of a new government under General Dámaso Berenguer. However, a return to the previous dictatorial regime was impossible because:
- The dynastic parties (conservative and liberal) had lost their organizational structure and were discredited during the dictatorship.
- The king was unpopular, as the urban public identified him with the dictator and held him responsible