1868 Spanish Revolution: Causes, Uprising, and Aftermath
Context of the 1868 Revolution
The military coup of 1868 occurred during a period of significant international change, marked by the second industrial revolution, colonialism, the rise of liberalism and nationalism, and the growth of the labor movement.
Internal Factors Leading to the Coup
Internally, several crises converged, intensifying from 1864:
- Economic and Financial Crisis: Linked to international capitalism, ending a decade of prosperity. Railway company failures, stock market drops, and a crisis in the Catalan textile industry due to reduced cotton exports and consumption led to closures and unemployment.
- Agrarian Crisis: The crisis of 1867/68 caused higher prices and food shortages.
- Political Crisis: The moderate government’s policies were exhausted due to corruption and their efforts to remain in power, excluding other parties. The government became increasingly authoritarian and repressive, discrediting the Queen and the monarchy. Events like the massacre of students and the suppression of the S. Gil barracks revolt fueled opposition.
- Social Crisis: Widespread discontent among various social groups, including industrialists, financiers, landlords, the military, workers, and peasants, all hoping for change.
Commentary on the 1868 Uprising
The core issue was the general rejection of Isabella’s corrupt regime and the desire for a democratic state.
Key Questions and Answers
What was the uprising of 1868?
It was a military coup combined with a popular uprising, led by revolutionary committees. It aimed to overthrow the Queen and the corrupt system, replacing it with a democratic political project.
What were the reasons for the uprising?
The military rebels cited several reasons:
- Violation of the Constitution by the Queen, who excluded all parties except her moderate allies.
- Electoral fraud by rural chiefs, distorting the parliamentary system.
- Monopolization of education by the Catholic Church.
- Suppression of press freedom through strict censorship.
- Corruption in the administration.
- Loss of self-government by local councils.
Who supported the uprising?
The uprising had support from various groups, including Unionists, Democrats, moderate bourgeois, the military, and even some Republicans and members of the Church, as well as the general population.
What were the results of the victorious revolutionary movement?
The revolution succeeded due to the profound crisis of the regime and the widespread opposition. However, the interim government, led by Serrano, aimed to stabilize the revolution and prevent a social revolution. They implemented some democratic reforms:
- Abolition of the consumption tax.
- Universal male suffrage and the convening of the Constituent Cortes.
- Democratization of municipalities and county councils.
- Emancipation of children of slaves in the colonies.
The most important achievement was the adoption of the Constitution of 1869, which established universal male suffrage, an extensive bill of rights, and a separation of powers.
Was the democratic project consolidated?
The project faced serious problems, including a lack of unity among the signatories of the Manifesto. The government faced attacks from minority rights groups, the Cuban independence movement, Carlist uprisings, and peasant revolts. The regime failed to consolidate democracy, and a coup in 1874 ended the project.