Spain’s Restoration Era: Alfonso XII and Canovas’ System
The System of the Restoration
The Draft of Canovas
Alfonso XII of Spain.
The military coup of General Martinez Campos at Sagunto accelerated the accession to the throne of Alfonso XII. His triumphal entry into Madrid on 14 January 1875, began a long period of political stability (Restoration). This regime will moderate the re-establishment with two new features:
- It is a civilian regime in which the military lacked the prominence they had in the Elizabethan stage, determined by the civil power.
- It is
Key Concepts in Labor History and Colonialism
Key Concepts in Labor History
This section defines key terms related to labor history and social movements.
Working Class
A group of individuals who contribute work in production in exchange for a wage, without individual ownership or control of the means of production.
Chartism
A movement for political and social reform in the UK, named after the ‘People’s Charter,’ which reflected its principles.
Luddites
A labor movement whose actions were based on spontaneous revolts, attacking the means of production.
Read MoreEmpires in Turmoil: Austro-Hungarian, Russian & Colonial Expansion
The Austro-Hungarian Empire (1830-1916)
Francis Joseph, a deeply conservative ruler since 1848, faced tensions from the diverse nations within his empire. The most prominent were Austria and Hungary (Magyars). This was resolved through a dual monarchy, with the emperor holding the titles of both Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Each had its own parliament, but shared military, foreign policy, and economic policy. The monarchy remained largely absolutist.
The economy stagnated, and a needed
Read MoreCadiz Cortes and the Dawn of Spanish Sovereignty
The Rise of Armament and Defense Boards
During the Peninsular War, Armament and Defense Boards emerged at local and provincial levels. These boards played a crucial role in:
- Filling the power vacuum: They stepped in to govern in the absence of a legitimate central authority.
- Defense and governance: Their primary objective was to defend the country and maintain order.
- Legitimacy: They claimed to rule in the name of Fernando VII.
- Importance: They are considered the first expression of national sovereignty
Feudalism: Origins, Characteristics, and Social Structure
The Origins of Feudalism
The emergence of feudalism can be traced back to the dissolution of the Carolingian Empire. Internal political crises, coupled with external pressures such as Viking, Muslim, and Magyar invasions during the ninth and tenth centuries AD, played a significant role. These invasions led to widespread looting, disrupting trade and forcing people to seek refuge in fortified locations like castles.
Kings, unable to provide adequate protection for everyone, delegated military power,
Read MoreAncient China: Shang, Confucianism, Qin & Han Dynasties
Ancient China Unit
Shang Dynasty Artifacts: What They Reveal
The Shang dynasty was the first dynasty which united the clans of China. The artifacts left over from this dynasty can tell us a lot about the civilization. We know about the writing system from bones which had hieroglyphs carved on them. The characteristics of a civilization include government, technology, stable food supply, social class, and system of communication. We can learn about government from bones and lifestyle of people. We
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