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

Spanish Disentailment

The Mendizábal Disentailment (1836)

Effective and widespread disentailment took place during the 19th century under the reign of Isabella II, during the regency of her mother, Maria Cristina de Borbón. Minister Juan Álvarez Mendizábal (a progressive liberal) promoted the disentailment. Its causes included:

• The Carlist War, which obliged the state to obtain resources at a time of empty coffers and diminished foreign credit.
• Radical anti-clericalism encouraged by progressive liberals, based on the clergy's support for the Carlist side. Raids on monasteries, fires, desecration, and killings were common between 1834 and 1836.
• Pressure from wealthy purchasers of goods during the previous three years, demanding the return of

Consequences of World War II

Territorial Impact

• The Soviet Union expanded its territory, annexing parts of Poland, Romania, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• Poland gained territory from Germany but became landlocked.
• Italy ceded territories to Yugoslavia and Greece, recognized Albania's independence, and relinquished its African colonies.
• Germany and Berlin were divided into four occupation zones.
• Austria was also divided into four occupation zones due to its support of Germany.
• Japan lost islands to the Soviet Union and the U.S. and came under U.S. command.

Demographic Consequences

• Millions died, were wounded, or went missing, with the highest number of civilian casualties.
• The Nazi extermination of Jews resulted in millions of deaths.
• New borders

8.3 The Decline of the Spanish Empire in Europe

The costly wars waged by Philip II and his father in the 16th century had depleted Castile's economy. As Philip III's reign began, a policy of pacification was adopted. Peace treaties were signed with two traditional enemies, England and France. In 1609, the Twelve Years' Truce (1609-1621) was signed with the Netherlands due to the war's stalemate and weariness on both sides. However, the Dutch continued to undermine the economic interests of the Spanish monarchy.

Under Philip IV and Olivares, the truce with the Netherlands was not renewed, and Spanish foreign policy was marked by involvement in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).

The Thirty Years' War began with religious and political clashes between...

Dissolution of Privileged Classes

The privileged classes ceased to exist with the liberal state in the 19th century. Legal equality ended privileges granted by birth and titles. All social groups paid taxes, were tried by the same laws and courts, and enjoyed the same political rights (women did not have political rights until the 20th century). Censitary liberalism limited the right to suffrage and political participation. Social differences were defined by wealth, and citizens were defined by their membership in a social class (determined by economic level). Suppression laws that favored the nobility were annulled, including rights such as not paying taxes and serving as judges in manorial lawsuits. The clergy was affected by the process of...

French Revolution: Key Events

Early Stages

1. The Social Injustice: The disparity between the wealthy and the peasantry.
2. Women's March on Versailles: Women protested food shortages and royal extravagance.
3. Storming of the Bastille: This event marked the start of the revolution.
4. Execution of Louis XVI: The king's execution by guillotine.
5. The Reign of Terror: A period of mass executions.

Key Assemblies

1. General Estates
2. National Assembly
3. Constituent Assembly
4. Legislative Assembly
5. Directory
6. Napoleon's Empire

Outbreak of the French Revolution

Origins of the Revolution

By 1789, France was a stratified society, with privileges held by the clergy and nobility at the expense of the rest of the population. A deep economic crisis, beginning in 1780, saw rising prices and the...

The Fontainebleau Agreements and the Road to War

The Fontainebleau agreements permitted French troops access to Spain. This led to unrest, culminating in the uprising in Aranjuez. In light of this situation, Godoy and Charles IV were deposed. Ferdinand VII, initially favored by the people, abdicated in favor of his father to calm the situation, a decision he later regretted. To secure the crown, he sought Napoleon's support, leading to the infamous 'kidnapping' at Bayonne, where both father and son were coerced into relinquishing the Spanish crown to Napoleon. This event triggered the Spanish War of Independence.

The Power Vacuum and the Rise of the Cortes

With the monarchy in disarray, a power vacuum emerged in Spain. The Supreme Central Junta,...

18th Century Spain

The Dynastic Change and the War of Succession

• Philip of Anjou (Philip V) was appointed King of Spain. This decision provoked a major conflict:
• International Level: The presence of a Bourbon king consolidated Spain under French hegemony in Europe, which the remaining European powers consistently opposed.
• Domestic Level: A social and territorial division emerged around Philip V. The territories of the Crown of Aragon opposed the new king, while Castile supported him.
• The conflict ended with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714). The implications for international politics were significant: Spain lost its European possessions, and the United Kingdom became the leading maritime power, imposing a European political equilibrium

The Crisis of the Old Regime and Carlos IV (1788–1808)

Carlos IV (1788–1808), son of Carlos III, attempted to continue his father's reformist policies, but his reign marked the beginning of the crisis of the Old Regime in Spain. The effective government between 1792 and 1808 was exercised by the *valido* (favorite), Manuel Godoy. Godoy's extraordinary power severely damaged the image of the rulers.

Impact of the French Revolution

The influence of the French Revolution was profound in Spain, leading to a division among the Spanish Enlightenment thinkers:

• Those who opposed the news from France and joined the defenders of the Old Regime.
• Those who were radicalized by the events in France and saw it as an example to end the Old Regime.

Naval Conflict

The Estates-General

Meeting of representatives of the three classes, called by Louis XVI in 1788 to apply for financial aid to ease the financial situation. The representatives came with a booklet of complaints to petition the king:

• The bourgeoisie demanded the end of enlightened absolutism and stratified society.
• The popular classes wanted to improve their living and working conditions.

The First French Republic

It was born when the events taking place in France terrorized European monarchs, who saw their thrones threatened, and they decided to organize a coalition against the French revolutionaries. The people attacked the Tuileries Palace in August 1792, and the royal family was captured. Two parties were born:

• The Girondins: Representatives of

Ferdinand VII: Restoration of Absolutism (1814-1820)

Following French defeats, Napoleon abandoned the war in Spain, restoring Ferdinand VII to the throne via the Treaty of Valençay. This treaty stipulated British forces leave Spain and that Ferdinand VII refrain from reprisals against Joseph I's supporters. However, Ferdinand ignored this, persecuting Joseph's collaborators and liberals. "The Desired" returned to a triumphant Spain, where General Elio offered support to restore absolute power. One hundred deputies, known as the "Serviles," presented the "Manifesto of the Persians," urging the king to reclaim his authority and annul liberal legislation from the Cortes of Cádiz.

With this backing, Ferdinand VII declared the Cortes' actions...