Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for History for Baccalaureate

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Causes of the Spanish Civil War

The causes of the war are interpreted differently depending on perspective. Manuel Azaña himself wrote about the issue. According to the Nationalist bloc, causes included:

• The perceived anarchy of 1936 and the actions of the Republican-Socialist government.
• Insults directed at the army and the perceived persecution of the Church, threatening major institutions.
• Radicalism in the Cortes (parliament), evident in mutual accusations between members.
• Street violence involving youth from Socialist, Falangist, and Communist groups.
• Threats to national unity posed by radical regional nationalist groups.
• A desire to prevent the establishment of a Soviet-style socialist republic.

The Popular Front...

The Crisis of 1808: War of Independence & Revolution

Prelude: Charles IV, Godoy, and French Entanglements

Early Alliances, Conflicts, and Shifting Loyalties

Newly ascended to the throne, Charles IV and his minister Floridablanca, from the moment the French Revolution began, sought to prevent any revolutionary ideas from entering Spain. They controlled customs, and there was also strict censorship in writing; even the teaching of French was prohibited. After a short period of government by Count Aranda, a minister who sought to improve relations with France, Charles IV made a key decision in his reign: he appointed Manuel Godoy as minister in 1792. The execution of Louis XVI in January 1793 caused the breakdown of the traditional alliance with...

Main idea:

Explaining the Popular Front program (3 important ideas:)

• Intro: Explaining the purpose of the text: explaining the objectives agreed by the different left groups that united in a coalition, the Popular Front, drew up a common government program
• Agreements between signatories: in 2 things X problems between republicans and socialists: Grant a broad amnesty to imprisoned for social and political reasons after the 1933 elections, Restore principles of Constitution 1931 and reforms initiated during the Reform Biennium
• Disagreements between Socialists and Republicans: Measures proposed by Socialists not approved by Republicans (Nationalization of land, although they recognize the need to improve the system of land distribution to the peasantry

Early Involvement and Growing Importance

Initially, Canada's role in World War I was limited, but it gradually grew in significance. Canadian troops fought in key battles, including the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme.

Vimy Ridge: A Pivotal Victory

On April 9, 1917, Canadian troops captured Vimy Ridge, a strategic position that had resisted German attacks for two years. This victory was a major military success and solidified Canada's reputation as a formidable force.

Billy Bishop: Canada's Top Airman

Billy Bishop, a Canadian airman, became the Commonwealth's highest-scoring airman to survive the war, with 72 victories. His exceptional skills and bravery earned him widespread recognition.

The Canadian 100 Days Campaign

In the final...

19th Century Spain

French War

Under the pretext of a French invasion of Portugal, and with Spain poised to support Napoleon, Joseph Bonaparte was installed as head of the Spanish government. Napoleon returned to legitimize the Catalan flag.

In 1812, the liberal Constitution of Cadiz (also known as "La Pepa") was ratified. This marked a significant shift away from absolutism towards a more representative government, granting voting rights to a segment of the population (primarily the bourgeoisie).

Fall of Napoleon and the Restoration

Napoleon's empire fell to the absolutist powers of Austria-Hungary, Prussia, and Russia. These powers formed the Holy Alliance to suppress liberal revolts across Europe.

The monarchy was restored in Spain with the arrival...

1. The Blue of the Franco Years

During the 1940s, the Franco regime adopted the rhetoric and imagery of fascist Spanish Falangismo. Their blue uniforms and martial parades, along with symbols like the yoke and arrows, permeated Spain. The Falange shared power with the army, the Church, and other conservative political sectors.

During these years, a clear desire to perpetuate Franco's rule was evident. He laid the foundations for an ideological and political autocracy, enacting undemocratic laws and institutions with a certain fascist inspiration.

1. 1. Family Policies and Ideological Principles

Franco's policies were characterized by pragmatic adaptation to both international events and Spanish society.

Lacking political skills from childhood, Franco adopted...

The Social and Political Evolution of the Spanish Revolt

a) Provisional Organization of the Uprising (July-September 1936)

Between July 17 and 21, garrisons revolted, supported by members of the Guardia Civil and the Falange paramilitary groups. Designated leaders, backed by their forces, detained and sometimes executed loyalist generals and officers. After securing key locations (headquarters, railway stations, government buildings, and the Telefónica building), they proclaimed martial law, vesting power in the military. The death of General Sanjurjo left the insurrection without a clear leader.

The rebels' primary objective was to win the war. Order and discipline were paramount, necessitating a unified command. On July 24, 1936, a meeting...

The Road to World War I: A Tense Europe

The period leading up to World War I was marked by an "armed peace," where European powers engaged in a massive military buildup, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Key players and their alliances included:

• France (FR): Sought closer ties with Russia (RS) and improved relations with Great Britain (GB).
• Russia (RS): Strengthened its alliance with France and fostered friendship with Great Britain.
• Great Britain (GB): Joined the Triple Entente with Russia and France.
• Austria-Hungary (AH): Maintained the Triple Alliance with Germany and Italy, seeking support.
• Italy (IT): Initially aligned with the Central Powers but later approached France and Great Britain.

The Balkan Crisis, triggered by Austria-Hungary'...

Alfonso XIII's Reign and the Crisis of Restoration in Spain

This period can be placed within the reign of Alfonso XIII and the crisis of the Restoration, a consequence of the regency of Maria Christina of Austria and the Disaster of 1898.

At the end of the 19th century, the regime established by Cánovas, the liberal-conservative party, was shaken by a severe crisis, since it lost the last Spanish colonies: the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The Restoration was fully in line with European colonial imperialism. Booming finance capitalism drove the great powers to form colonial empires around the world, mimicking Great Britain.

In parallel, Spain became involved in an internal crisis, the Disaster. The loss of the colonial empire was considered...

The Spanish Restoration: Political Stability and Colonial Challenges

Cánovas sought to articulate a new model of liberalism, addressing the endemic issues of partisan and exclusionary moderate military intervention in politics and the proliferation of civil strife. His two primary objectives were:

• To develop a constitution that structured a two-party political system.
• To pacify the country by ending the war in Cuba and the Carlist conflict.

The first step involved holding elections for a Constituent Cortes, as the 1869 Constitution had been terminated after the proclamation of the Republic. While the first elections of the new regime were conducted under universal suffrage, the system later reverted to censitary suffrage (restricted by property...