Modern Spain, 1875–1980

by Raymond Carr

The word 'liberal', as part of our political vocabulary comes from Spain. It was first used to describe a group of radical patriots cooped up in Cadiz, refugees from the French invasion of 1808. In 1812 they drew up a constitution enshrining the sovereignty of the people which struck the very basis of the old monarchy and became the model for advanced democrats from St Petersburg to Naples. Universal male suffrage was established in Spain in 1890 - earlier than Britain. The imposition of advanced liberal institutions on a conservative society, both economically and socially backward, inevitably caused tensions, and these, Raymond Carr argues, explain much of modern Spanish history. His analysis, incorporating much new research, starts at the 'September Revolution' of 1868 and goes right up to the present day. In the 1970s and 80s the country suffered less from the violent social disruption experienced in previous decades, but - as always - Spain is beset with acute regional problems which become more pressing the longer they remain unsolved.

Genres: History, Spain, Spanish Civil War, Spanish Literature

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Sir Raymond Albert Maillard Carr FBA FRHS FRSL, known as Raymond Carr, was an English historian specializing in the history of Spain, Latin America, and Sweden who was Warden of St Antony's College, Oxford, from 1968 to 1987.

Reviews

[C. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This greatly enriched my first ever trip to Spain earlier this month. Before reading this, most of modern Spanish history was unfamiliar to me—aside from some reading many years ago on the Civil War. Carr is aware that this is more well-trodden territory to Anglophone audiences, and therefore he focuses on the 60-year period before the war began, before giving a brief overview of the war and a reflection on Francoism and the prospects of a post-Franco Spain (the book was finished in 1979). Carr is concise and engaging in his analysis of Spanish politics. He creates a running theme around what he sees as the apathy, apoliticism, and regionalism of the Spanish people throughout this period (surely this would come across as an unflattering point to some—it surprises me that Carr was awarded the Order of Alfonso X el Sabio by King Juan Carlos in 1983). Be warned: Carr assumes knowledge of British politics of the period in question, as he often compares Spain to Britain in an effort to create some common ground with the reader. I’m now eager to know more about the Franco and post-Franco periods. I saw in a bookshop the other day that there’s a new Penguin History of Modern Spain. I’m hoping this might satisfy my curiosity, if time permits! But I’m sure it won’t have any of the creaky St Anthony’s College charm of Carr’s book.

[Christophe Bernier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bien qu'il nous fasse comprendre l'importance de l'armée, de la culture militaire et des traditions putschistes qui viennent avec, l'auteur défend une vision trop circonspecte de l'Espagne de l'époque oubliant à l'inscrire dans la mouvance internationale. En ce sens, l'auteur ne réserve que deux lignes dans le chapitre traitant de la guerre civile espagnole pour souligner l'apport de l'URSS dans le ravitaillement des troupes républicaines. Il oublie de faire mention de la guerre par proxy qui a lieu au même moment opposant fascisme et communisme. Les derniers chapitres sont les plus intéressants puisque dominée par la figure de Franco l'auteur évite de se perdre dans la sur description d'une scène politique morcelée par son hétérogénéité.

[Альберто Лорэдо · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and concise summary of the main events in this tumultuous time in Spanish history. My only negative remark would be around the amount of time the author delves into XIX century stuff while it's important to have this background, there is too much detail on this part for such a short book.