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

The Configuration of Catalan Politics in the 19th Century

During the six democratic years, there was an awakening of national consciousness in the form of Catalan anti-centralist popular movements, stimulated by the social problems of industrialization. Until the restoration of the Bourbons, a Catalan nationalist political movement did not articulate itself.

The First Demands: Federalists and Carlists

In the 1830s and 1840s, the first anti-centralist demonstrations occurred. Protests were more related to socio-political wings. Most occurred in urban areas, linked to the claims of workers who advocated for democratic federal republicanism. We can mention the rebellions against Espartero in 1842-1843. The incidence of Carlism in the rural world...

Spanish Constitution of 1845

Derived from the 1837 Constitution, it established the first Senate, composed of servants. The acquittal order after Fernando VII's death referenced the Carlist conflict against the Elizabethans. Six years of war ended with peace. The confiscation (1836-40) saw the Queen Regent of Spain appointing generals. At 13 years older than Isabel II, the introduction of the liberal model began, but military hypertrophy crumbled.

Ramón María Narváez

Duke of Valencia, a Spanish soldier and politician, served seven times as President of the Council of Ministers of Spain between 1844 and 1868. Known as the broadswords of Loja, his military career began in 1815. He sided with liberals during the Constitutional Triennium (1820-...

1. The Genesis of the Second Republic (1931)

The end of Primo de Rivera's dictatorship led King Alfonso XIII to reinstate the old system. However, municipal elections on April 12, 1931, resulted in a Republican victory in major cities, while monarchist parties dominated rural areas. Despite the overall monarchist vote, King Alfonso XIII went into exile, paving the way for the Second Republic.

2. The 1931 Constitution

Following the general election on June 9, 1931, a left-wing coalition, including Republican Socialists, secured a decisive victory. A new constitution was drafted with these key features:

• A Republican political system.
• Extensive human rights, including divorce and freedom of religion.
• Separation of church and state: Government subsidies

The French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution

Economic Reasons:

• Financial crisis caused by the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and aid to English settlers in the U.S. independence.
• Bad harvests (1788 and 1789) raised the price of bread, leading to riots among less advantaged groups.
• Great State expenditures (luxury of the Court, army officials...) as were forced to pay tribute the privileged (nobility and clergy).

Social Causes:

• The nobility opposed economic reforms that required them to pay taxes, causing their failure.
• The bourgeoisie wanted to seize political power from the nobility and used the popular classes to do so.

Political and Ideological Causes:

• The ideas of the Enlightenment provided the ideological basis (national sovereignty, separation

Causes and Key Events of the Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution stands as a pivotal event in modern history, leaving a significant mark on both America and Europe. While it didn't immediately spread communism, it provided a model for developing nations. Decades later, its philosophical and governmental aspects gained renewed prominence as Russia, transformed into a socialist state with economic and military power, confronted the U.S. during the Cold War.

The revolutions of 1917 are generally divided into two main phases: the February Revolution, which led to the fall of the Tsarist regime, and the October Revolution, which established the world's first communist state. The causes of these revolutions were rooted in the political, economic,...

The First World War

Relations tightened during an armed peace.

The Reasons for the Outbreak

The causes of the First World War were:

• Territorial claims of different countries like Russia and Austria-Hungary.
• Economic rivalries, especially between Germany and the UK.
• Colonial interests in Germany (Moroccan crisis).
• The formation of two blocs:
  • Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy)
  • Triple Entente (France, UK, and Russia)

Belligerent Countries

The Triple Alliance was joined by the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria, while Italy switched to the opposing bloc. This bloc was called the Central Powers.

The Triple Entente was joined by Belgium, Romania, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Japan. This bloc was called the Allies.

The Central Powers had a more powerful...

Genesis of the Cold War (1945-1947)

Defining Cold War Characteristics

The Cold War system of international relations defined the period between 1945 and 1991. During that time, the world was divided into antagonistic blocs, one led by the U.S. and the other by the Soviet Union. Each bloc represented a different political, economic, and ideological view.

The Western bloc defended a democratic political system, a capitalist economy, and liberal ideology. The Communist bloc defended a totalitarian political system, a planned economy, and Marxist ideology.

The two superpowers sought to maintain their security and to extend or protect their areas of influence using all available means without direct warfare, since this involved the use of nuclear weapons...

Regime in Opposition to Deliver It: The Carlist Wars and the Foral Question

The First Carlist War (1833-1839)

The government acceded very strongly to deliver it. Maria Cristina saw an oppositional, anti-liberal traditionalist group, the Carlists, gathered around the *Infante* Don Carlos, Count of Molina (brother of Fernando VII). The Carlists accepted that bringing them went against the way of thinking of the Spanish people, and additionally, they identified the new industries (machinery) with low-quality work. Part of the clergy and the current state supported the *medio* (which had disappeared in the 10th century and the first fruits), as well as the lower nobility, with the objective (among others) of obtaining charges at birth. Their motto...

Azana Speech Text is a speech with political content by Manuel Azaña, a historical political figure during the War, Prime Minister, and President of the Republic, delivered before the Spanish Constituent Assembly of 1931, arising from the June 1931 elections. The text is from the fall of 1931 and was addressed to the deputies of the Cortes.
The intention is to defend a secular state, notably articles 26 and 27 of the Constitution, and to argue that regime change must address the deep problems of the country, including the oligarchic rule of the people, concentrated ownership, and the role of the Church. The author first raises in his speech that we are in a revolution that began with the fall of the biggest responsibility for the misfortunes...

The Formation of the Popular Front Government

On February 18, 1936, Niceto Alcalá Zamora ordered the formation of a new government under Manuel Azaña. This government would implement the Popular Front's program, based on four key pillars:

• Continuation of agrarian reform
• Strengthening of educational policy
• Amnesty for political prisoners
• Restoration of the Generalitat of Catalonia and promotion of Basque and Galician autonomy statutes

On April 7, Alcalá Zamora was ousted as President of the Republic and replaced by Manuel Azaña. Santiago Casares Quiroga became President of the Government.

Public Disorder and Political Violence

Public disorder manifested in three main ways:

• Violence in the countryside, with strikes and land occupations.
• Attacks on