̨Íåswag

This one-off introduction to modern Spanish History focuses on ten important and very different documents from the 19th and 20th centuries. Each document has much to tell us about events, personalities, challenges and changes in Spain in these years. We will use them to guide us through Napoleon and the Peninsular War, through various attempts at liberal constitutional government, questions of church, military, state and empire as well as the era of mass politics. The documents will allow us to trace the huge events of the 20th century including two dictatorships, the impacts of two world wars and the return of Spain to centre stage in world history with the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s. In addition, we will reflect on Spain’s experience of the Second World War and the rule of Franco stretching into the 1970s. Finally, we consider how Spain made the transition to democracy up to the election of the socialist government in 1982. The documents range from historical analysis to photographs, fine art to satirical cartoons. Each will be placed in its context and then analysed to reach conclusions – substantiated and tentative alike. Throughout there will be opportunity for reflection, questions and discussion.