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

Spain's Transition: From Absolutism to Liberalism (1808–1833)

In the nineteenth century, Spain, including Catalonia, transitioned from an absolutist regime (similar to the Old Regime) to a liberal political regime. The initial attempts to introduce liberalism occurred during the Peninsular War (also known as the French War) against Napoleon (1808–1814), but the full transition was not achieved until the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833.

The Peninsular War (1808–1814): Birth of Spanish Liberalism

Due to the appointment of a foreign King, Joseph Bonaparte, and the presence of Napoleon's troops, on May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against the French. This marked the beginning of the Peninsular War (War of Independence).

Agencies were...

The Outbreak of Civil War

On July 17, 1936, a civil war erupted in Melilla, Ceuta, and Tetuan, and on July 18th, it spread to mainland Spain. An important sector of the army (Franco, Queipo de Llano, Mola, etc.), along with traditionalists and Falangists, staged a coup. The rebels seized control of governing bodies in some cities and established a board of military officers, intending to restore order and suppress popular unrest. Within two days, the rebels had secured several forts.

On July 19th, José Giral decided to arm militias (volunteer groups) of unions and parties of the Popular Front to stop the coup and defend the Republican government. General Goded led the uprising in Catalonia, but it received little support from the civilian population....

ITEM 10: The Origin of Fascism

Created in 1919 in Italy as the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, it was a party formed to combat the Marxist left. Later led by Benito Mussolini, Fascist ideology is characterized by:

• Opposition to democracy and Marxism, with persecution and killing of Marxists.
• Advocacy for a single-party state.
• Rejection of the bourgeois world, looking back to more hierarchical times like the Middle Ages, defending corporatism and creating unions.
• Defense of nationalism for national unity and patriotism, persecuting minorities, foreigners, and immigrants.
• Defense of militarism, with party militants uniformed and acting as an army.
• Use of symbols.
• Use of propaganda to attract the masses with charismatic leaders and personalities.

Fascist

Key Concepts in Spanish Political History

Constitution: A state law that includes the rights, freedoms, and duties of a country.

Nationalist Movements: Based on liberal and Romantic ideas.

Nation: A group of people who live in the same place, sharing a language, traditions, and laws.

Renaissance: A cultural movement that appeared in the 19th century, directed by the bourgeoisie, with liberal ideas of Romanticism.

Key Periods and Events

Characteristics of the Cadiz Constitution: Parliamentary monarchy, universal male suffrage, national sovereignty, feudal rights, and economic freedom.

Liberal Triennium (1820-1823): A pronouncement was made stating that King Ferdinand VII could no longer govern. The Holy Alliance restored the old regime.

Moderate Liberals:

The Monarchy of Alfonso XIII

It was necessary to regenerate the political, economic, and social legislation since the Canovista restoration had already lapsed. Economically backward, the domain of agriculture, the industry was in its infancy. Gradually, industrialization appeared alongside the middle class and urban proletariat.

In politics, the parliamentary system was based on the fictional rotating government of Liberal and Conservative parties, decided by the king.

Rise to the Throne of Alfonso XIII

In 1902, at age 16, Alfonso XIII ascended to the throne. He continued to rule with the peaceful shift of the two major parties.

They devised the "revolution from above" that dealt with the financial restructuring of state, social reforms through...

The Rise of Christianity and the Division of the Roman Empire

From Roman Religion to Christian Hegemony

Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and prohibited other cults. This institutionalized the Church, giving it heritage and hierarchy. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the East and West took different political paths. The East maintained centralized power under Byzantine leadership, which aligned with the new Christian religion.

The Rise of the Papacy in the West

In the West, after the fall of Rome, every military leader became a power center. It was the West that managed to emerge as the center of Christendom. The two universal powers were the Empire and the Papacy, each supporting the other while...

The Monarchy

With the restoration of the Bourbons, Canovas del Castillo aimed to establish a stable political system. Inspired by the need to regain the prestige of the monarchy, he firmly established it as the form of state. To achieve this, Canovas was inspired by the British parliamentary system, as well as the principles of doctrinaire liberalism, which gave the king relevant power in the political system.

From the British system, Canovas transplanted to Spain the party system and the role of alternating parties. This would give the appearance of a constitutional monarchy. For Canovas, the monarchy was inseparable from the history of Spain and had to be firmly seated as the form of state.

The king would have a significant role in political...

The Reign of Amadeo I of Spain (1870-1873)

In 1869, a new form of government was established in Spain: a constitutional monarchy. One inherent difficulty in this regime change was finding a suitable king, as Spain at that time was impoverished and troubled. The search focused on a Catholic and democratic candidate. Eventually, they found their monarch in the person of the Duke of Aosta, Amadeo de Savoie, son of the King of Italy. Amadeo possessed the desired qualities: he hailed from an ancient dynasty linked to Spain, was a progressive Catholic, and even a Freemason, with the Pope's secret license reconciling religion and Freemasonry. Amadeo was the first King of Spain elected by a Parliament, which seemed, not without historical reason, a...

Social and Cultural Roots of the Mafia

The rise of the Mafia in Italy can be attributed to a complex interplay of social and cultural factors, particularly in the southern regions. Historical conditions, such as agrarian conflicts and feudal systems, created a fertile ground for the emergence of organized crime. The Mafia's emphasis on honor, loyalty, and family values shaped its internal dynamics and interactions with society.

Values and Underdevelopment in Southern Italy

The Mafia's values, while seemingly positive, often hindered modernization efforts and contributed to the economic lag in southern Italy. Loyalty to family often superseded loyalty to societal institutions, leading to a distrust of the state and a reluctance to cooperate with...

According to this text are all the men equal in rights? What are the rights of man according to the text?

Yes, they are because says that all men are born free.

What is the origin of sovereignty according to the text? According to the text, can you be punished for something that is not forbidden by law? Who can take part in politics (make laws) according to the text?

The origin of sovereignty is the nation (line 6). No, you can be punished for something that is not forbidden by law (lines 11-12). All the citizens can take part in politics (lines 14-15).

Do you know during which phase of the French Revolution was signed this text: National Assembly, Constitutional Monarchy, First French Republic or Directory? Do you think that the principles of