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

The Third International (Comintern)

The Third International was founded with the goal of supporting world revolutionary uprisings across the globe, thus creating a new Socialist International. The Second International had been dissolved due to the division among socialists before the First World War. The Bolsheviks sought to establish a new form of social democracy and communist parties.

Founding the Third International

To this end, the Third International was founded in Moscow in March 1919. Only communist groups—that is, socialist political parties that had adopted the Bolshevik organizational model—could join. The old parties were required to reject and expel moderate or borderline militants.

Membership Requirements and the Twenty Conditions

The...

Policy Implications: The end of World War I led to a profound territorial restructuring. The great empires were shattered, and many new countries emerged, such as Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Furthermore, democracy was implemented in most countries, with the notable exception of Russia.

Social Consequences of the War

Another significant consequence was social restructuring. With so many men at the front lines, there was a need to introduce female labor, leading to greater independence for women.

Peace Treaties After World War I

After the German surrender, the victorious countries gathered to sign peace agreements. However, each nation pursued its own interests.

The U.S. President, Wilson, attempted to establish a just peace, proposing 14 points...

The UN's Condemnation of Franco's Regime (1946)

This document, issued by the United Nations in 1946, serves as a political condemnation of General Franco's regime in Spain. The United Nations, established at the end of World War II to foster peace and international relations (much like the League of Nations before it), directed this resolution to all its member states and specifically to the Franco regime.

Reasons for the Condemnation

The document begins by categorizing the Franco regime as fascist, highlighting its inherent characteristics and, crucially, the significant aid it received from both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Furthermore, the resolution explicitly notes Franco's assistance to the defeated Axis powers (Germany and Italy) during...

Political Reforms and Social Stability in Spain

The government adopted economic measures to revitalize the industry and promulgated the Law on Land Settlement to stimulate agriculture. It also adopted several laws and created the National Welfare Institute, dedicated to social security for workers. However, the defense of social equilibrium led to an intransigent attitude toward maintaining public order. This was especially evident in the events following the revolt, which ultimately caused the collapse of the conservative government.

The Liberal Government of José Canalejas

In 1910, José Canalejas formed a new Liberal government. His modernization program proposed new policies and attempted to attract popular sectors through extensive social...

The Core Message of the Spanish Crown

This analysis presents four sets of main ideas derived from the Crown's message:

1. The institution that embodies and integrates all Spanish people.
2. That all understand with generosity and breadth of vision that our future will be based on an effective consensus of national harmony.
3. A just, equal award for all, within the unity of the kingdom and the rule of regional autonomy.
4. The Crown must also be understood as the recognition of fundamental social and economic rights, which aims to ensure all Spanish citizens the material conditions enabling them to effectively exercise all their freedoms.

Integration and Reconciliation

The first two points focus on recognizing that the monarchy serves as an instrument of integration...

Civil War in Extremadura: Uprising and Occupation

Extremadura's military uprising had mixed support in the two provinces. Opposition to the uprising was led by elements of the Popular Front, workers, and campesinos. On 17 July, supporters of the Popular Front requested arms from Civil Governor Antonio Canales, who refused the conspirators. Deaths rose to 19.

The movement began in the garrison of the capital only; a regiment in Algiers, in connection with the Guardia Civil and the Falange, also joined, and by the end of the day the city was under the control of the sublevados (rebels). Subsequently, occupation of the province began, with little organized opposition.

Badajoz and Villanueva de la Serena

In Badajoz, the uprising became important mainly...

The UN Resolution Condemning the Franco Regime (1946)

Nature and Significance of the Text

This text is historical in nature and policy. It is a political agreement and a statement adopted by the United Nations Organization (UN) on December 12, 1946, which explicitly condemns the Franco regime in Spain.

Spatiotemporal Circumstances

The resolution was drafted and adopted on December 12, 1946, in New York, approximately one year after the Allied victory in World War II.

Authorship: The UN General Assembly

The author of the text is the UN General Assembly. The UN is a supranational institution created at the end of World War II with the objective of coordinating peace and international relations, succeeding the League of Nations, which had failed to...

Regional Council

A body formed by the unification of various councils, boards, and committees to organize regional governments. These councils gathered the forces of the Popular Front. An example is the Sovereign Council of Asturias.

Juan Negrín

The last Prime Minister of the Republic during the Civil War. He was in favor of maintaining the fight until the commencement of World War II.

Manuel Azaña

Served as Minister of the Interim Government and was a reformist Prime Minister from 1931 to 1933. He later became President of the Republic from 1936 to 1939. He resigned and died in exile in 1940.

Committee on Non-Intervention

Driven by France, this committee was created in London in August 1936. Its stated aim was to prevent foreign intervention in...

Post-War Economic Impact on Germany

The peace treaties imposed on Germany led to several severe negative effects. Germany lost important mining and industrial regions and was burdened with substantial reparations. This situation created significant problems, hampering further economic recovery and international cooperation. Key issues included:

• A lack of understanding between Europe and the United States regarding inter-allied war debts.
• The demand for reparations payments from the defeated nations.

The Allies struggled to reach a unified agreement on resolving inter-allied debts and German reparations. The United States demanded the liquidation of debts and refused to provide financial assistance for European reconstruction. Meanwhile, European...

European Integration and Spain's Accession

Post-World War II: The Drive for Unity

After World War II, Europe first realized that its power as a global force had diminished. The focus immediately shifted to achieving economic development. The formation of the European Association was supported by initiatives like the Marshall Plan, which helped optimize investment strategies.

The initial community was formed by Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg (the Benelux countries), France, and Germany. These nations were acutely aware of the need to link their economies to avoid political tension and division.

Spain Under Franco: The Democratic Hurdle

During the Franco regime, Spain repeatedly attempted to enter the European Community. However, the consistent response...