19th Century Spanish Politics: Regencies, Revolutions & Republics

Posted on Oct 20, 2024 in History

The Regencies (1833-1843)

Regency of Maria Cristina and Espartero (1833-1843)

Political Landscape:

  • Moderates: Shared sovereignty between the courts and the Crown, King with executive power and veto right, defense of private property, limited voting rights (census suffrage).
  • Progressives: National sovereignty, limited King’s power with the ability to dissolve the courts, fewer voting restrictions, defense of freedom of press, association, and religion.

Timeline:

  • 1833-1835: Moderate leader Martinez de la Rosa implements the Royal Statute of 1834, establishing a bicameral system with limited suffrage.
  • 1835-1836: Progressive leader Mendizabal takes power, introduces freedom of the press, suppresses monasteries, and implements disentailment.
  • 1836: Insurrection of the Royal Guard leads to Maria Cristina handing over the government to the progressives.
  • 1837: New constitution with moderate-progressive elements, including national sovereignty, a bicameral legislature, and expanded suffrage.
  • 1840: Maria Cristina resigns as regent.
  • 1840-1843: Progressive leader Espartero becomes regent. Economic crisis and emergence of workers’ associations lead to unrest and Espartero’s exile in 1843.

Queen Isabella II (1843-1868)

Moderate Decade (1844-1854)

  • National sovereignty is limited.
  • The Crown appoints a head of government and can dissolve the courts.
  • Narvaez leads the government and implements conservative policies.
  • Constitution of 1845 establishes shared sovereignty, a bicameral legislature with limited suffrage, and restricts freedom of expression.
  • Concordat of 1851 signed with the Holy See.
  • 1854 Revolution (“La Vicalvarada”) led by O’Donnell overthrows the government.

Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)

  • Espartero and O’Donnell rule in a progressive coalition.
  • Manifesto of 1854 calls for liberal reforms.
  • Civil and ecclesiastical disentailment of 1855.
  • General Railway Law of 1855.
  • Failed attempt to enact a new constitution in 1856.

Moderate Crisis and Decomposition of the Regime (1856-1868)

  • Alternating power between Unionist and Moderate parties.
  • Liberals join with Democrats.
  • Attempted military coup in 1866 (“La Sargentada”).
  • Unionist party absorbs other parties and signs the Pact of Ostend in 1866.
  • Progressive military coup in 1868 leads to Queen Isabella II’s exile to France.

The Democratic Sexenio (1868-1874)

Revolution of 1868 (The Glorious Revolution)

  • Revolutionary movement begins in Cadiz.
  • Admiral Topete leads the coup.
  • Revolutionary juntas proliferate.
  • Battle of Alcolea (1868) ends with the government’s defeat.

Provisional Government

  • Led by Serrano.
  • Dissolves the revolutionary juntas.
  • Implements progressive measures (expulsion of Jesuits, closure of convents).
  • Laureano Figuerola introduces the peseta, abolishes consumption tax, and enacts mining and free trade legislation.
  • Elections in 1869 won by a coalition of Unionists and Progressives.
  • New constitution drafted.

Constitution of 1869

  • National sovereignty with limited power for the King.
  • Bicameral legislature with elected chambers.
  • New freedoms of residence, religion, and habeas corpus.
  • Regency established with Serrano as regent.

Reign of Amadeo I of Savoy (1870-1873)

  • Amadeo I, son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, elected as King.
  • Unstable reign marked by the death of Prim, opposition from the nobility and Carlists, and Republican movements.
  • Amadeo I abdicates after two years and seven governments.

The First Republic (1873-1874)

  • Non-Federal Republic (February 1873): Led by Figueras, focused on economic development.
  • Federal Republic (May 1873): Led by Pi y Margall, aimed to establish a federal system with a new constitution. The Cantonal Revolution sees the rise of autonomous powers challenging the central government.
  • Conservative Republic (July 1873): Led by Salmerón, grants full powers to the army and resigns.
  • Dictatorship of Castelar (September 1873): Suspends constitutional rights and is defeated on a motion of censure.
  • Coup of Pavía (January 1874): General Pavía leads a coup, ending the First Republic and paving the way for the Bourbon Restoration.