Liberal Revolution in Spain (1833-1868)
Item 2: Liberal Revolution in the Reign of Isabel II (1833-1868)
During the reign of Isabel II (1833-1868), Spain underwent a process of liberal revolution. This period began with a long civil war between the Carlists (absolutists) and the Isabelinos (liberals) due to a dynastic conflict over the succession that began with the death of Fernando VII. A new ruling class, the agrarian bourgeoisie, emerged from the alliance between the old landed gentry and the new bourgeoisie. This class controlled
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
ITEM 9: THE CIVIL WAR (1936-1939) Following continued confrontation and revolutionary actions by both the right and left, the Spanish Civil War broke out. Two theories have been put forward to explain the Spanish Civil War: the theory of war as a consequence of fascist intervention and the theory of war as a result of a justified reaction by Spanish industry to curb international communism.
Attempts at coups, such as the Sanjurjo uprising, did not resurface until 1934 when representatives of the
Read MoreThe Bourbon Dynasty in 18th Century Spain
The Bourbons: A New Dynasty in 18th Century Spain
The War of Succession (1700-1713)
In 1700, King Charles II died without heirs. His will named Philip of Anjou, grandson of the Bourbon King Louis XIV of France, as his successor, on the condition that he renounce his claim to the French throne. However, the potential union of Spain and France alarmed other European powers, who supported Archduke Charles of Austria as the successor.
The War of Succession ensued, with France and Spain fighting against
Read MoreThe Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in Spain (1923-1930)
Development of Political and Economic Changes
The Political Phases of the Dictatorship
a) The Military Directory (1923-1925)
The dictatorship was presented as an interim solution. It was an authoritarian dictatorship whose first steps were:
- The suspension of the 1876 Constitution and constitutional rights.
- The dissolution of the Courts and the establishment of a military Board of 9 members.
- The implementation of the State of War for two years, the suppression of constitutional rights, and press censorship.
Spanish Nationalism Origins: A Historical Overview
In this connection, Professor DomÃnguez Ortiz says: Before the 18th century, Spain was a geographical expression without political content. The loss of extra-peninsular European domains can be seen as the moment when Spain was created as a defined political entity. Since then, while not abandoning its ostentatious traditional image, there was a King of Spain… smaller than the empire, bigger than Castile. Spain is the most extraordinary 18th-century creation, which remains nebulous, lacking solid
Read MoreThe Fall of the Spanish Monarchy (1902-1930)
Alfonso XIII ascends the throne.
The Reformist Dynastic Period (1907-1913)
The Turno System
Maura (conservative) and Canalejas (liberal), influenced by the Regenerationist movement, led reform attempts. Maura’s “long government” (1907-1909) aimed to create a strong state through a “revolution from above.” His reforms included electoral reform, social policies (National Institute for Rest and Sundays off), and greater executive independence from the Crown. He also sought to integrate Catalan regions.
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