Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for History

The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera

The crisis of liberalism and the Restoration model led to the coup of Primo de Rivera, who succeeded without resistance. He had the support of the king and the sympathy of public opinion. The new regime was based on different political foundations than liberalism: a one-party system (Patriotic Union), representing corporate and routine administration in the hands of the military or technicians.

There was a regenerationist will to dismantle caciquismo and promote Spanish nationalism against peripheral nationalism. He controlled order by declaring a state of war and reformed provincial and municipal governments. The war in Morocco ended after the landing of Alhucemas. The dictatorship had two phases: the military...

Decolonization: Causes, Stages, and Impact After WWII

Decolonization was driven by several key factors:

• The desire for independence among colonized populations who faced oppressive rule and exploitation.
• The weakening of colonial powers due to the diminished prestige of European nations after World War II. The Axis powers' defeats shattered the myth of white superiority.
• International pressure against colonization, manifested through documents like the Atlantic Charter, the UN Declaration, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Support from the USA and the USSR, both of which had an interest in weakening the old European powers.

The Decolonization Process: Stages

The decolonization process occurred in distinct stages:

Stage 1: Asia

Nationalist...

Political and Economic Developments of the Franco Regime

1. The Postwar Period (1939-1950)

• a) World War II (1939-1945)
  • Foreign policy: (1939-1941) neutrality, (1941-1943) non-belligerence, sympathy towards the Axis, Blue Division, (1943-1945) neutrality.
  • Autarky (self-sufficiency), hunger.
  • Institutionalization of the Spanish courts law regime (1942), jurisdiction of the Spanish (1945).
• b) International Isolation (1945-1950)
  • Political: Withdrawal of ambassadors from Spain, Spain did not join the UN.
  • Economy: No commercial relationships with Spain, hunger.
  • Franco presents international isolation as a Judeo-Masonic conspiracy against Spain.
  • Institutionalization of the regime: The National Referendum Act (1945), Law of Succession (1947).

2. The Cold War and

Charles V: The Dawn of an Empire

Charles V inherited a vast empire, becoming the most powerful king of his time.

1. 1516: He inherited his grandparents' possessions, becoming King Charles I of Spain.
2. He became Holy Roman Emperor, inheriting lands in Germany, the Netherlands, and France. He spent a significant amount to secure the Castilian vote for the imperial title.

Governance of a Vast Empire

1. Charles V's empire comprised diverse territories, each with its own laws and institutions.
2. His power was not absolute; key decisions, including new taxes, required approval from the parliaments of each kingdom.
3. The court was itinerant. Each territory had a governor or viceroy ruling in the king's absence, and an audiencia responsible for justice.

Challenges of

Rebel Area

The political and social groups that had supported the military uprising did not have a common project and, therefore, accepted the supremacy of the army that was responsible for organizing the new state.

Formation of the National Defense

First, they created the National Defense in Burgos, headed by Miguel Canellas (the oldest general of the rebels). This board banned political parties and unions and halted land reform. After General Sanjurjo, considered the head of the rebellion, died in an accident, there was a need for appointing a single leader, especially when it became clear that the uprising would lead to civil war.

Franco's Rise to Power

Franco was elected on 30 September 1936 and became famous in Spain and abroad for his military...

The Constitutional Process

Within weeks of his election, the courts began the work for drafting the Constitution. The Cortes in 1977 immediately became Constituent Cortes.

A Constitutional Commission was elected, and seven members were chosen to produce a first draft of the constitutional text. These seven members, the "fathers of the constitution," were Gabriel Cisneros, Miguel Herrero de Mignon, and José Pedro Pérez Llorca (UCD); Gregorio Peces-Barba (PSOE); Pauline Julien (PCE); Miquel Roca, representing Catalan and Minority PNV; and Manuel Fraga (AP). The absence of a representative of the PNV, linked to the question of "historical rights," had serious consequences because the main Basque nationalist party ultimately did not support the...

Post-World War II: International Isolation of Franco's Spain

After the Second World War in 1945, the international isolation of the Franco regime was agreed upon at the Potsdam Conference by France, Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Following this, the UN General Assembly, in session on December 12, 1946, passed a resolution aimed at forcing political change in Spain towards a democratic nature.

The Nature of Franco's Regime and UN Concerns

While Spain under Franco won the Civil War with the help of Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, Franco's regime, though totalitarian, was arguably never fully fascist, even in its early stages, as the state never controlled or aspired to control every aspect of life. Nevertheless, the UN resolution...

European Colonial Progress

The powers introduced developments in their territories. They built ports, bridges, and telephones, improving infrastructure. They established new farmland and industries for their own benefit. They also introduced hygienic measures and new hospitals. Consequently, mortality dropped, and the population increased.

Europeans set up schools, leading to a decline in illiteracy. The metropolis aimed for acculturation, imposing their way of life in the colonies. Missionaries aided natives and attempted to convert them to Christianity.

Economic interests were imposed in the colonies. Plantations became the property of colonists, who introduced large-scale production for the metropolis, along with a monetary economy and market....

The New Economic Policy (NEP) and its Impact

The idea of the NEP was to restore a limited form of capitalism to rebuild the economy. The state retained control of credit, railway companies, and banks, while farmers could sell their surplus. The revitalization of the economy was noticeable. However, the NEP brought problems that divided the Communist Party, leading to accusations of creating a new bourgeoisie. Despite this, the NEP resulted in raising the economy.

The Stalinist Period (1927-1939)

The Succession of Lenin: Lenin was removed from power due to illness. Two other candidates emerged: Trotsky (Soviet President in St. Petersburg) and Stalin (who organized the October Revolution). Stalin eventually controlled power in the USSR and defended...

Root Causes

Revanchism and depression marked the society of the interwar period. The sanctions of the Treaty of Versailles and the consequences of the crash of 1929 favored the rise of dictatorships and the failure of democracies. Thus, certain foreign policies (Italy, Germany, and Japan) became radicalized by claiming their living space, international prestige, and improvement of the economy. This contrasted with the pacifist work of Pius XII that would not have an effect.

In a bid to achieve them, they opted for militarization. The economy would boost the arms industry, with the main powers responding poorly:

1. The United States of America would stay out.

2. The USSR would mistrust the West.

3. France would trust the British.

4. The United Kingdom would propose