19th Century Spain: Railways, Politics, and Conflicts
Spanish Railway Expansion (1855)
In 1855, Spain had 400 kilometers of railway network. That same year, the first law granting facilities and subsidies to large foreign capital was enacted, leading to significant investment in Spain’s railways. This spurred the growth of major railway companies, giving the final impetus to the Spanish railway system.
Liberal Union Party
The Liberal Union was a Spanish political alliance that emerged after the 1854 revolution. It united moderate and progressive liberals, eventually replacing the Moderate Party, which had been in power since 1833. Led by Leopoldo O’Donnell after the 1858 elections, the party drew support from nobles, lawyers, businessmen, merchants, bankers, and military officials.
Constitution of 1812 (La Pepa)
The Constitution of 1812, also known as the Cadiz Constitution, was drafted by the Spanish Cortes in Cadiz in 1812 during the French siege. This liberal constitution, nicknamed La Pepa, was approved on Saint Joseph’s Day.
Hundred Thousand Children of St. Louis (1823)
The Hundred Thousand Children of St. Louis was a French army sent in 1823 by the Holy Alliance at the request of Ferdinand VII to restore his absolute monarchy. The army pursued the fleeing Liberal government to Cadiz, ending the Liberal Triennium and initiating the Ominous Decade. Led by the Duke of Angoulême, the army defeated the liberals, occupied Madrid, and eventually dissolved after the siege of Cadiz.
Amadeo I’s Reign (1870)
Following the 1868 revolution, Spain sought a new monarch. Amadeo of Savoy was elected King Amadeo I on November 16, 1870, succeeding Isabel II, with support from the progressive faction of the Cortes and the Carlists.
Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
The Liberal Triennium began with Riego’s pronouncement on January 1, 1820, reinstating the 1812 Constitution. Ferdinand VII initially resisted but eventually swore to uphold the constitution on March 8, establishing a parliamentary monarchy.
Ominous Decade (1823-1833)
The Ominous Decade, marked by government inefficiency and harsh repression of liberals, spanned from the end of the Liberal Triennium to Ferdinand VII’s death in 1833. Many liberals went into exile, returning in 1833 to support Isabel II in the First Carlist War.
Third Carlist War (1872-1876)
The Third Carlist War began on April 15, 1872, with Charles VII’s uprising, gaining support in the Basque Country, Catalonia, and other regions. Catalonia joined partly due to the promise of restoring its abolished constitutions. The war ended on November 19, 1875, after Charles’ brother, Alfonso Carlos, retreated to France.