19th Century Spain: Elizabeth II & Cuban War
Main Features of the Reign of Elizabeth II (1833-1868)
To understand the main characteristics of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, one should focus on the constitutions enacted during this period, as they provide the legal framework and reference for policy actions. These are:
- Constitution of 1837 (amended in 1840 and inspired by progressive forces until 1845). National sovereignty, shared with a tendency to extend the monarch’s powers. Bicameralism. Census suffrage. Religious tolerance.
- Constitution of 1845 (inspired by doctrinaire liberalism and in effect until 1868). Shared sovereignty. State religion. Highly restricted census suffrage. Individual rights subsequently limited by law.
Doctrinaire liberalism limited the fullness of political rights to a few, leading to a shift towards modernism.
Regarding administrative organization, from 1833, Spain leaned towards centralization with Javier de Burgos, reorganizing the country into provinces directly under the government. After Espartero curtailed Basque and Navarrese charters, abolishing internal customs and unifying the internal market, centralization increased further from 1845. The government controlled provincial administration through governors and deputies, appointing mayors of major cities and other municipalities. The metric system, an education plan, and the Criminal Code were adopted.
The Cuban War (1895-1898)
Preceding the Restoration regime, the Cuban question erupted in February 1895 with the Grito de Baire, an uprising in the eastern part of the island. Following the Montecristi Manifesto, written by Martí and Gómez, the rebellion was led militarily by Gómez and Maceo after Martí’s death. In 1896, the revolt spread to the Philippines, led by Aguinaldo.
General Polavieja, commanding the Spanish troops, acted harshly and executed key intellectual independence figures (like Rizal), quelling the rebellion in 1897. In 1898, the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana, causing the deaths of many American marines, led the United States to enter the war. The Spanish were defeated in Cavite and Santiago de Cuba.
The Treaty of Paris, signed in December 1898, granted Cuba independence from Spain and ceded territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the Marianas, and the Philippines) to the United States.
Consequences included military resentment towards politicians, growing popular anti-militarism due to concerns about resource allocation and the wealthy avoiding conscription, and the rise of Regeneracionismo, a critical intellectual movement rejecting the Restoration. Spain also lost its status as a major power.
In 1899, Spain sold the Carolines, the Marianas (except Guam), and Palau to the German Empire.
Main Economic Measures of the Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
During the Progressive Biennium, the last major confiscation, driven by progressives and known as the Desamortización de Madoz, affected all written-off assets, especially those of municipalities. The state aimed to fill gaps, end food shortages causing price increases, and implement the General Law of Railways.
This law, recognizing railways as essential for economic development, prioritized rapid construction over pre-creating industrial infrastructure. Licenses were granted through auctions, with state subsidies, guarantees, and duty-free material imports. The Credit Societies Act followed, creating financial institutions to invest in companies, primarily railways, with major players like the Crédit Mobilier Espagnol (Banesto). The Banking Act authorized institutions to issue currency, stimulating economic growth and trade (Bank of Santander and Bilbao).