Doc Recap: Viscount Torrington's Account of Cromford

Coming from a family of illustrious soldiers, John Byng, the later 5th Viscount of Torrington, decided to add a sideline to his resume, that of a traveller and a diarist. He toured England in a time of breathtaking changes in landscape of the country courtesy of the Industrial Revolution. One of his entries described Cromford the facilities owned by the celebrated inventor and businessman Richard Arkwright.

John Byng by Ozias Humphrey, 1796

Early Railroads of France (1815 - 1848)

Every new technology developed brings mix of reactions. Hesitations and missed expectation formed as part of birthing pains. Same goes to even technology taken for granted today, for instance, France’s reaction during the early inception of railroads.

10 Things to Know About James Mayer de Rothschild

A towering figure that held no crown, nor office nor led armies, yet his handling of wealth brought him influence and contributed in changing the landscape of France in the 19th century. He inspired both admiration and a conspiracy of “space lasers.” Here are 10 things to know about James Mayer de Rothschild.

James Mayer de Rothschild: Railroad and Banking King of France

Kings and Prime Ministers sought his advice and bow to him for loans and investments. Vast lengths of railroads and landscapes transformed by rising factories came as a result of his confidence. James Mayer de Rothschild commanded great respect within the banking world of his time driving forward France’s industrialization. How did he achieve it without holding office nor leading armies?

What are Guilds?

“Bird of the same feather, flock together.”

10 Things to Know About Queen Isabella II of Spain

Queen Isabella II reigned in a tumultuous century for both Europe and Spain. Thrusted into politics as a toddler, she grew up to controversial monarch. Here are 10 things to know about Queen Isabella II of Spain.

Spain's Controversial Queen Isbella II

While Queen Victoria enjoyed a nation riding high in imperial glory, her contemporary in Spain found her nation in disarray, plagued by political instability. Thrust into the position at a young age, others ruled on her behalf. She  must find her position and role in the country or face dire consequences.

Doc Recap: Prime Minister Mendizabal's Decree of Disentailment of Regular Clergy

In 1836, then Spanish Prime Minister Juan Alvarez Mendizabal unleashed his decree that targeted the privatization of lands owned by religious orders with the aim of winning the ongoing Carlist War and improving agricultural production as well as overall economic situation.

Desamortizacion and the Mendizabal Reform

David Ringrose said “the way in which access to land is defined, and the social constraints imposed on its use, play a major role in the modernization process of any country.” Spain in 1836 underwent a land reform under its Prime Minister Juan Alvarez Mendizabal which many hailed as a “revolution.” But was it such an event worthy of the praise it received in many studies of Spain’s industrialization? How did it affect Spain?

Juan Alvarez Mendizabal