1a. Spain: Emergence of Spain as an authoritarian state
By the late 19th century, Spain’s influence had declined, culminating in the loss of its last colonies in 1898. Deep divisions between conservatives—backed by the monarchy, military, and Church—and reformists seeking constitutionalism fueled instability. This page examines the long-term political, economic and social factors in Spain that would contribute to the outbreak of civil war in 1936 and the emergence of an...