This book is the first single volume history of modern Spain toappear in over 30 years. It describes Spain's emergence in thenineteenth century as the first modern post-imperial power andexamines the vast social and economic changes which Spain witnessedduring this period. In lucid and accessible prose, the authorprovides a gripping account of 131 years of politics, warfare andsocial conflict. Charles Esdaile places particular emphasis on crucial periods inthe history of modern Spain. He shows how nineteenth century Spainwas in many ways shaped by the Peninsular War of 1804-18, as thepoliticization of the army during this conflict cast a shadow overthe century-long political struggle between liberalism andabsolutism. Esdaile also demonstrates that the years between 1868and 1874 were a watershed in the history of modern Spain. Duringthis time the social and political changes of the century wereconsolidated and Spain emerged as a constitutional monarchy.Providing a riveting account of the events of the Spanish Civil Warof 1936-39, this book shows that the result of the brutal strugglebetween the nationalists and republicans was the preservation ofthe social and economic order that had arisen in the nineteenthcentury. Blending analysis with narrative, Charles Esdaile allows thereader to understand nineteenth century Spain on its own terms andto see how the seeds of the civil war of 1936-39 were sown by thefailure of liberalism in the previous century.