Ferdinand VII’s Reign: Absolutism and Liberalism in Spain
Absolutist Sexenio (1814-1820)
When Ferdinand VII entered Spain on March 24, 1814, the nation hailed him as the Desired. Many believed that with the king’s return, things would revert to their previous state. A significant portion of the nobility presented a letter to Ferdinand VII, the Manifesto of the Persians (Valencia, April 12, 1814), requesting the restoration of the Old Regime.
Seeing this support, the king signed a decree on May 4, 1814, repealing all the legislative work of the Cortes of Cadiz, thus restoring Absolutism and the Old Regime, following the European trend established at the Congress of Vienna (1814-15).
The situation in Spain at this time was dramatic: the country was impoverished by war, which had destroyed infrastructure and the economy, and there was a severe demographic crisis. Furthermore, there were no means for a speedy recovery, as the riches from America, now engaged in a struggle for independence due to the weakness of the Spanish government, had ceased to arrive.
In this context, a significant opposition to the government developed, led by the Liberals, who were unwilling to see all their work undone. Several pronunciamientos and conspiracies occurred throughout the Sexenio, aiming to force Ferdinand VII to proclaim the constitution, but they failed until 1820, when General Riego’s pronunciamiento in Cabezas de San Juan (Cadiz) succeeded.
Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
Riego revolted on January 1, 1820, with the army that was to be shipped to quell the American revolt. Despite the strength of the pronunciamiento, the organization of the conspiracy was disastrous: Riego was isolated in San Fernando, while the rest of Spain’s garrisons were unsure what to expect. Six weeks later, on February 19, Acevedo pronunciamiento in La Coruna, followed by other barracks in Spain.
Ferdinand VII, who still had strong supporters, did not want to risk his position and swore to uphold the Constitution of 1812, following the publication of a manifesto. The Liberals had defeated the absolutists, but divisions soon emerged that would mark the history of the triennium and weaken the liberal regime. On one side were the more moderate and conservative veterans, and on the other, the more radical and younger exaltados, who supported rapid changes.
The Liberals had little popular support, so they tried to spread their political message to the public, using three institutions:
- The Press
- Patriotic Societies
- The National Militia
Liberal governments initiated a policy of accelerated reforms. Legislation passed by the Cortes of Cadiz was reinstated (suppression of the feudal regime, suppression of the Inquisition, etc.), and a penal code, freedom of trade and industry, and ecclesiastical confiscation were enacted. Progress was also made on religious issues and Treasury reform.
Regarding the religious question, the Liberals wanted to subordinate the Church to their interests, which inevitably led to strong opposition from the Church. Measures such as the expulsion of the Jesuits and the suppression of monasteries increased clashes, which were very negative for the Liberals, given the influence that the Church held over the population.
The issue of financial reform was closely linked to the end of the feudal regime but faced strong opposition, mainly from the king, and little progress was made. The ongoing clashes between the Liberals and the king led Ferdinand VII to seek the help of the absolutist powers of Europe, grouped in the Holy Alliance, to recover his sovereignty.
The Congress of Verona (October 1822) granted aid to France and ordered intervention in support of Ferdinand VII. Under the Duke of Angouleme, the French army, known as the Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis, easily defeated the Liberals, who lacked popular support, and restored Ferdinand VII as absolute king.