19th Century Spain: Political and Social Transformations

Posted on Feb 5, 2025 in History

19th Century Spain: Key Events and Figures

The main causes of the political instability were the crisis of the monarchy.
Amadeo I was a liberal monarch chosen to take the throne.

The First Republic was a regime that prepared a program of economic and social reforms.

a) The crisis of the monarchy led to the abdication of Amadeo, which aimed to abolish the monarchy and establish a republican political system.
b) During the *Sexenio Democrático* (Democratic Six Years).

a) What role did the army play? – Military leaders became political leaders.
b) What were the most important events of the crisis of the Ancien Régime? – The French invasion, the Mutiny of Aranjuez, and the War of Independence.
c) What was Ferdinand VII’s position? – Ferdinand VII was an absolutist.
d) What were the consequences of the Spanish-American Wars of Independence? – Spain lost tax revenues.
e) Which social group supported Isabella II? – The Upper bourgeoisie and landowners.
f) Why did the First Republic fail? – Division between republicans, the opposition of monarchists, wars, etc.

Ferdinand VII: Spanish King who defended absolutism.
Espartero: Progressive general, regent, and prime minister.
Amadeo of Savoy: King during the *Sexenio Democrático*.
Joseph I: King of Spain (1808-1813), Napoleon’s brother.
Simón Bolívar: Politician who led the independence movement in South America.
Prim: Progressive general who was murdered in 1870.
Infante Carlos: Ferdinand VII’s brother who did not recognize his cousin Isabella’s right to the throne.
Narváez: Moderate general, the most influential politician during Isabella II’s reign.
Cánovas: Conservative politician who ruled Spain during the Bourbon Restoration.

Carlists / Liberals: They supported Don Carlos / Isabella II.
Moderates / Progressives: They defended shared sovereignty / national sovereignty.

The Spanish Constitution of 1876 declares the King, not Isabella, and Cánovas del Castillo.
The legislative power resides not in the judges, but in parliament.
Chamber of Representatives: *Congreso de los Diputados*.
Senators are not elected.
Senators must be at least 30 years old.
Every 75,000: Universal suffrage.
Six years: Three years.
The King is inviolable.

What did the 1812 Constitution establish? – Sovereignty resides in the nation, Cortes has legislative power, suffrage was universal, etc.
What did Ferdinand VII do when he returned to Spain? – Ferdinand VII revoked the Constitution.
How did the independence of the colonies affect Spain? – Spain became bankrupt.
Why did Ferdinand VII revoke the Salic Law? – To ensure his daughter’s reign.

Choose three areas of ideology and explain the differences: Moderates defended shared sovereignty, very limited suffrage, and restricted rights. Progressives defended national sovereignty, census suffrage, and individual rights.
What other political groups were there? How did their ideologies differ? – Democrats promoted universal suffrage. Republicans wanted to establish a republic.