19th Century Colonial Imperialism: Causes, Expansion, and Administration
What is Imperialism?
Imperialism is the expansion of a state beyond its borders to dominate other areas, which are called colonies. These colonies are subjected to and exploited by a power, which is called the metropolis. Nineteenth-century colonial imperialism identified two distinct parts: the metropolis and its colonies, which were at its service. This imperialist model established political dependence by the colonies, used to optimize the use of natural and human resources existing in the controlled
Read MoreAnalysis of the Manifesto of the Persians
Manifesto of the Persians
Rating:
It is a primary source offering direct insight into reactionary, absolutist thinking during the crisis of the ancien regime in Spain. The text is a narrative of historical circumstances, authored by a group of deputies led by Porter’s Real and the Bishop of Orense. This public text had both national and international reach, given in Valencia in 1814.
Analysis:
The text is divided into two parts. The first (first two paragraphs) justifies absolute monarchy based on reason
Read MoreEcclesiastical Confiscation in 19th Century Spain
Introduction
This decree explains the objectives of the 19th-century ecclesiastical confiscations in Spain. The primary goal was to sell state-owned assets, reduce national debt, and stimulate economic development. A secondary aim was to promote land ownership. This period coincided with the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, a symbol of order and liberty. Historically, this marked the first large-scale ecclesiastical confiscation, dismantling the ancien régime under pressure from progressive liberal
Read MoreSpanish Second Republic: From Proclamation to Civil War
The Spanish Second Republic (1931-1939)
Proclamation and Early Reforms (1931)
The proclamation of the Republic on April 14, 1931, marked Spain’s first attempt at a modern democratic system. Power shifted to the middle classes, facing hostility from traditional groups and revolutionary popular classes. The international climate was complex: Europe grappled with the 1929 economic crisis, and democratic systems weakened amidst rising totalitarianism (communism and fascism).
The Provisional Government
Read MoreThe Turkish Political System: A Historical Overview
Chapter 17: Turkish Political System
1. From Ottoman Empire to Turkish Republic: The Evolution of the Constitution
One of Turkey’s major challenges lies in asserting its unique identity at the geographical and cultural crossroads it occupies. The last three-quarters of a century have witnessed a continuous struggle for this affirmation.
Before World War I, Turkey was part of the Ottoman Empire. The Empire’s defeat led to the creation of a distinct Turkish political entity. Until then, Turks constituted
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: From Franco to Juan Carlos I
Organic Law of the State (1967)
This law, enacted during Franco’s dictatorship, outlined the functions of the Head of State. It granted Franco, as Caudillo, national sovereignty, a term inconsistent with his imposed dictatorship. Franco led the National Movement, the sole party that disseminated the regime’s ideology. He held executive power, approving laws and ensuring their implementation, and legislative power, including the ability to grant clemency. As Head of State, he also commanded the armed
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