jueves, 17 de octubre de 2013

Unit 15: Spain in the Contemporary Times

2.- SPAIN IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES.

2.1.- The beginning of Contemporary Times in Spain.

  In 1808, the French army occupied Spain and removed the kings of Spain from the government. The Spanish people fought against the French, starting the War of Independence which lasted until 1814.

  During the war, there was an effort to create the first parliamentary government in Spain. In 1812, the constitution was passed in Cádiz.

  In the decades afterwards, there were wars, political struggles and efforts to change the form of government. Finally, a parliamentary government was established between 1868 and 1874. The king ruled with representatives elected by the citizens.

2.2.- The modernization of Spain.

  There were great social and economic changes in Spain after 1875. The most important changes were:

-      Industrial development: big factories appeared in some regions like the textile industries in Catalonia or steel industries in Andalusia and the Basque Country.

-      A transport revolution: Extensive railway and road systems helped trade row in the country.

-      Urban development: Cities with more industry, like Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid grew very quickly.

ACTIVITIES.

1.- Write TRUE or FALSE. If some of them are false, please underline the wrong word and write the correct one.

- Spain´s War of Independence was against England.                    ________

- Spain´s first Constitution was passed in 1975.                           ________

- The War of Independence lasted until 1814.                              ________

- In a parliamentary government the king rules with the nobility.   ________


2.- Name the three Spanish cities with a big urban development at the end of the nineteenth century.


3.- Fill in the gaps.

- There are great _________ and __________ changes in Spain at the end of the nineteenth century. 

- Industrial development. Big factories appear in some regions like the ______________ in Catalonia or ______________ in the Basque Country.



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