Social and Religious Tensions in Medieval Spain
The Peasants
The peasants of Aragon were known as the Remences. Significant protests arose in Aragon and Catalonia. In the latter, during the second half of the 14th century, crop failures and plague led to the abandonment of many plots. The lords increased their demands and attempted to evict peasants occupying these abandoned lands. By the end of the century, the Remences organized and confronted the lords. During the reign of Alfonso V, the crown sided with the peasants against the lords. The
Read MoreWorld War I: Causes, Key Events, and Global Impact
World War I: A Global Conflict
Origins of the War
The First World War, a conflict of unprecedented scale, erupted in Europe in 1914. A complex web of factors contributed to the outbreak of hostilities, including:
- Intense Rivalry Among European States: The pre-war atmosphere was charged with tension due to rivalries between major European powers, particularly Germany and France, Germany and the United Kingdom, and Austria-Hungary and Russia.
- Radical Nationalism: Extreme nationalism fueled aspirations
The Restoration of the Generalitat and Catalan Autonomy
The Restoration of the Generalitat and the Statute of Sau
In October 1977, President Josep Tarradellas returned from exile and reinstated the Generalitat of Catalonia. Tarradellas formed a unity government comprised of all parties and promoted the drafting of a Statute of Autonomy (Statute of Sau).
The Statute was a concise text that granted the Catalan government powers in areas such as education, health, labor, public planning, language, and culture. It also allowed for the creation of a police
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: A Tumultuous Period in Spanish History
The Problem of Morocco
In July 1921, amidst a campaign to extend Spanish control around Melilla, the Spanish Rif attacked. The unpopularity of the conflict and the army’s defeat led to media blame on the government and the army. A report by General Picasso caused great debates and was opposed by the army. Republicans demanded drastic measures aimed at the army and the king. Morocco became a political issue, and before the report reached the courts, Primo de Rivera staged a coup.
Primo de Rivera
On
Read More18th Century Spanish Foreign Policy in Europe
Eighteenth Century Spain: The Development of Foreign Policy in Europe
Post-War of Succession Diplomacy
Following the War of Succession, Spanish diplomacy and the early Spanish army attempted to revise the Utrecht agreements on multiple fronts. One key objective was the denial of the French claim to the Spanish throne. However, the overarching goal of eighteenth-century Spanish foreign policy was the recovery of territories lost in the Peace of Utrecht, which inevitably meant confrontation with England.
Read MoreImperialism and World War I: A Historical Overview
Imperialism and War
Bismarck and Armed Peace
The resentment of France after the loss of the rich regions of Alsace and Lorraine was a source of fear for Germany, which focused on their isolation.
- Three Bismarckian systems were carried out between Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and later Italy. The unparalleled rivalry between Russia and Austria led to its failure.
- From 1890 Bismarck was removed from power, passing into the hands of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
- The alliance system proposed by Germany found an