19th Century Spanish Constitutionalism: A Historical Overview
Extremadura in the Late 18th Century
Demographic and Economic Realities
During the second half of the eighteenth century, Extremadura experienced weak vegetative growth. Its population density, around 10 inhabitants per square kilometer, was among the lowest in Spain. Birth rates ranged from 35 to 45 per thousand, due to early marriages (between 20 and 22 years old) in areas with abundant laborers. This contributed to a good number of births per couple. However, a high mortality rate, particularly among children, offset the birth rate. Life in Extremadura was challenging, with frequent famines and exhaustion from long working hours. The region’s border location and ongoing conflict with Portugal, allied with Britain, further complicated matters. In 1764, a terrible epidemic significantly reduced the population of Badajoz province.
Extremadura’s economy was largely agrarian, with livestock dominating. This negatively impacted agriculture, as vast pasturelands remained uncultivated, despite attempts by reformist politicians. These efforts clashed with the interests of large landowners and municipal councils, who resisted converting grassland to cropland. The Bourbon-promoted project to restock the Sierra Morena, which also affected Extremadura, failed for similar reasons.
Social Groups
In the eighteenth century, 75% of Extremadura’s population were day laborers—landless peasants dependent on manual labor. The remaining minority consisted of middle peasants who owned small plots, traditional farmers, and sharecroppers who rented land. A small percentage of nobles and the Church possessed large properties, many uncultivated and devoted to livestock pasture. Tenants and sharecroppers cultivated some of these lands, paying rent to the owners. Farmers frequently complained about livestock damaging their crops, a situation exacerbated by the Mesta’s twice-yearly migration of large sheep herds through Extremadura farmland.
Small-scale manufacturing, primarily textiles and pottery, existed to supply local markets through fairs in Caceres, Trujillo, and Zafra.
19th-Century Spanish Constitutionalism
A key aspect of nineteenth-century Spanish history was the search for a fundamental law recognizing citizens’ rights and organizing governing institutions. Several constitutions, reforms, and projects were drafted throughout the century, reflecting the system’s instability and lack of political representation.
The Royal Statute of 1834
Drafted during the transition from the old regime to a more liberal state, amidst civil conflict, the Royal Statute of 1834 functioned more as a granted charter than a true constitution. It aimed to regulate the Cortes, which fell between consultative and legislative bodies. Sovereignty was shared between the King and the Cortes, which lacked genuine national representation. The Cortes’ role was limited to approving taxes, making requests, and voting on government proposals.
A bicameral system was established, with the Estate of Peers comprising aristocrats, high-ranking clergy, and government officials appointed by the Queen. The Estate of Procurators was elected through census suffrage. Both chambers could be suspended or dissolved by the King. This charter arose from the context of Sergeant Garcia’s coup, which forced Maria Cristina to adopt the 1812 Constitution.
The Constitution of 1837
, but differs from it in extending the declaration of rights policy will limit the power of the Crown and restricted the authority of the King .* recognition of national sovereignty and individual rights. * Admission to the separation of powers and recognition of the Senate as an elected body and autonomous .* Recognition of the Independence of the courts and judges .* Restoration of National Militia .* Sustainment religion and the clergy by the State. Consecrated religious tolerance that they are not always spoken publicly against the Catholic religion.