Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

The New Society: Social Classes in the 19th Century

The new society was divided into various social classes that replaced the more open estates. These groups included:

The Aristocrats

Although their group privileges were deleted, the conservative majority remained the source of power. They often had to marry into wealthy bourgeois families, control municipalities, or join the army and administration. Most of the bourgeoisie aspired to become landlords and live like the nobility.

The Bourgeoisie

Industrialization and the abolition of feudal privileges allowed this class to grow. Their way of life and social position were defined by several factors:

• Economic Situation: Their status proceeded from their businesses. Many managed estates, while others

European Political Upheavals: 1789–1848

Causes of Liberal Revolts

Causes included financial crises, political marginalization, and demands for tax reform. Surveys conducted by liberal activists and soldiers aimed to stop absolutism in various countries.

Waves of Revolution

• 1830: Revolutions affected Europe. Success was seen in Central Europe, and Belgium became independent of Holland.
• 1848: Revolts involving workers, unions, and political parties. A popular movement started in France, leading to a reversion to authoritarian monarchy.

Key Concepts

• Holy Alliance: A common European army established to oppose liberal revolutions.
• Suffrage Censitari (Censitary Suffrage): The right to vote was restricted to those who possessed property.
• Universal Suffrage:

The House of Champagne: Reign of Theobald I

Theobald I gained recognition from European monarchies, including Castile, England, and Aragón. As a just and righteous king, he secured diplomatic recognition through strategic foreign policy:

• Castile: Established a covenant with Ferdinand III the Saint and arranged the marriage of his daughter to Alfonso X the Wise in exchange for the devolution of Gipuzkoa.
• England: Agreed to a truce to ensure Navarre would not suffer damage to Gascony.

Internal Politics and Royal Authority

Theobald I faced a difficult relationship with his subjects due to his unfamiliarity with local language and customs. He held a concept of absolute authority derived from God, which clashed with the fueros (local charters) held... Continue reading "The Reign of Theobald I and II in Navarre" »

Globalization fosters a world where societies are increasingly interconnected, leading to greater interdependence between countries. Effectively managing this interdependence is crucial for future progress, enabling advancements economically, politically, and culturally. Economically, this means increased trade and investment. Politically, it involves creating global agreements, such as those addressing international crises. Culturally, globalization facilitates intellectual growth, the adoption of new ideologies, and a deeper respect for diverse cultures.

Multinational corporations, operating across multiple countries, can pose challenges by potentially displacing smaller local businesses. Thus, multinationals represent both opportunities and... Continue reading "Globalization's Impact on Global Interdependence and Conflict" »

The Dawn of the Contemporary Era

The transition from the Modern Era to the Contemporary Era occurred in the late 18th century.

Political Transformation: The French Revolution

The French Revolution brought significant political changes. Absolute monarchies were replaced by republics and limited monarchies as forms of government. Liberalism substituted absolutism as the dominant ideology.

Socio-Economic Shifts: The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution transformed society from an estate system to a stratified class society. Cities grew, capitalism became the dominant economic system, and the industrial economy began to displace the agricultural economy.

Capitalism and Economic Systems

Capitalism:

An economic system that aims to invest capital

The Family of Charles IV by Francisco Goya: Neoclassical Portrait Analysis

The family of Charles IV is the title that the author, Francisco Goya Lucientes, gave to this portrait. The chronology is 1800-1801. The Spanish school and his style is neoclassical.

The subject of this portrait is a commission by Charles IV, portraying his family without flattery. Goya appears behind, immersed in the shadows, and as an independent observer, alluding to Las Meninas by Velázquez.

The description of this portrait notes that the support elements are the fabric and the technique used is oil.

Formal and compositional elements:

• Form: Closed and shallow shaped frieze.
• Composition: Neoclassical roots arranged in a frieze with a certain ambiguity for both the centrality

Early Phases of Modernism

The movement known as Catalan Modernism saw distinct phases in its development. The second phase marked the culmination of the understanding of all artists and intellectuals. Catalan intellectuals, particularly through the magazine L'Avenç, began to feature social criticism. Symbolist authors, however, did not adapt well to this new direction.

The third phase of Modernism, in contrast, tilted markedly towards decadentism. Santiago Rusiñol, a prominent figure, delivered a speech defending his conception of art almost as a religion, emphasizing its spiritual and aesthetic dimensions.

Consolidation: The Sitges Modernist Festivals

The Modernist Festivals, held in Sitges, were crucial in consolidating the movement. The premiere... Continue reading "Catalan Modernism: Literary Evolution and Key Figures" »

The Process of Romanization in Hispania

Romanization was a process by which Rome imposed a model of political, economic, and cultural development in occupied territories, integrating these people as part of the Roman civilization. The Romans began a slow but systematic implementation of administrative and political civilization, its values, language, and culture, while exploiting its economic resources.

Military superiority, along with the technological, economic, and cultural development of Rome over the tribes of the peninsula, resulted in the imposition of Roman culture, law, religion, language, and forms of social organization. The most important aspects of the Romanization of Hispania are detailed below.

Economic Organization and Resource

Community Social Work and Democratic Citizenship

The primary challenge for community social workers is to maintain democratic citizenship as a central focus in all actions. The ability to organize and collectively defend rights or achieve objectives is essential for survival and influence in democratic societies.

Key Stages in Community Social Work:

1. Analyze challenges and problems from the perspective of democracy, equality, and citizen opportunities within the life context.
2. Establish internal community empowerment objectives and external community goals for collective action.
3. Design community and collective actions, considering dynamics, interaction, communication, and evaluation methodologies.
4. Conduct a final evaluation of acquired training and

The Spanish Constitution of 1837

In September and October 1836, elections were held for the Constituent Assembly (or Cortes Extraordinarias), though the atmosphere was one of indifference due to the Carlist War. The Cortes approved a new Constitution on June 8, 1837, which established national sovereignty while accepting the moderating power of the Crown. It included a broad statement of rights and lacked a religious denomination, reflecting progressive aspirations. However, it also granted significant power to the Crown and restricted suffrage. Another measure of great importance was that the central government could no longer elect the mayors of cities; instead, they would be elected by the residents themselves.

The Regency of General Espartero

Following... Continue reading "The 1837 Constitution and Industrial Growth in Andalusia" »