19th Century Spanish Nationalism & Politics: Restoration, Regency, and More
Restoration and the Rise of Nationalism
Catalan Nationalism
The Catalan nationalist movement’s growth during the Restoration period is intertwined with economic development. Several factors contributed to this rise:
- The Catalan bourgeoisie, initially hopeful for power during the Six Years’ War, shifted away from the central government and towards nationalist ideals.
- The Renaixença, a cultural movement, championed the Catalan language and criticized the government’s centralist policies.
- Early nationalist groups and intellectuals emerged, including figures like Valenti Almirall and Prat de la Riba.
In 1891, the conservative bourgeois Prat de la Riba founded the Unió Catalanista, a regionalist organization that, in 1892, approved the Bases de Manresa. This foundational document of Catalan nationalism proposed not secession, but a federal system with autonomous regions possessing self-governing institutions. The movement primarily attracted bourgeois support. Prat de la Riba subsequently campaigned for and achieved the creation of the Regionalist League, a conservative, bourgeois party with clerical backing that enjoyed considerable electoral success.
Basque Nationalism
Similar to Catalonia, Basque nationalism benefited from a distinct cultural identity and economic autonomy. However, unlike the pre-existing Catalan cultural movement, Basque nationalism drew support from the petty bourgeoisie and peasantry. It was deeply Catholic and largely driven by Sabino Arana.
The nationalist movement emerged amidst the decline of Carlism after their defeat in 1876 and the subsequent loss of privileges. The economic concerts of 1878 established the quota each province contributed to the Spanish state. Basque nationalism arose from the context of radical Carlists seeking to regain privileges, and the social clash between a nascent industrial bourgeoisie and a largely immigrant, nationalist proletariat.
Sabino Arana founded the PNV (Basque Nationalist Party) in 1895. Initially, he advocated for separation from Spain and an independent Basque state encompassing Navarre and the French Basque Country. His views were characterized by racism (asserting Basque racial superiority, rejecting intermarriage with non-Basques, and opposing immigration) and ultra-Catholicism (envisioning a Basque state serving God with a near-theocratic bent).
To broaden his appeal, particularly to the industrial bourgeoisie and middle classes wary of the labor movement, Arana later softened his stance, renouncing separatism.
Espartero Regency (1841-1843)
General Espartero, a prominent progressive and war hero, became regent in May 1841. His regency solidified the ecclesiastical confiscations but faced several challenges:
- Division within the progressives between radical advocates for greater democratization and those prioritizing middle-class and landowner dominance. The former favored a triple regency, while the latter supported a single regent.
- Attempted military uprisings by the moderate party, which found support in Carlist-dominated areas. Their failure led to the suppression of economic privileges in these regions.
- Conflict erupted in Barcelona in late 1842, sparked by a proposed free trade treaty with England that threatened the Catalan textile industry. Workers joined the protests, fueled by other grievances like the suppression of associations and the abolition of protected urban leases. A revolutionary junta formed in Barcelona, prompting the government to bombard the city.
- In 1843, the events in Barcelona triggered a general anti-Espartero insurrection, led by progressives critical of his military approach and defending the Constitution. Moderates, led by General Narváez, joined the coalition. With the backing of the courts, Espartero was exiled to London in 1843. The courts decided to advance Isabel II’s majority, and she was proclaimed Queen on November 8, 1843.
Military figures aligned with the moderates gained influence around the Queen, and General Narváez, leader of the 1843 revolution, became the dominant political figure. Following the regressive policies of González Bravo’s government (dissolution of militias, restoration of the 1840 Municipal Act, persecution of progressive politicians, and suppression of military uprisings), the Queen appointed Narváez, the undisputed leader of the moderates, as head of government on May 1, 1844.