Isabel II Reign and Latin American Independence

The Period of Bullangues

The Bullangues riots were a social and political movement in Barcelona and other cities. They began with the burning of different monasteries. General Bassa was in charge of establishing order in the city but was murdered. The same day, the Bonaplata factory was burnt.
The unrest was suddenly cut short by Gen. Ramon de Meer. With the end of the war, confrontations between moderates and progressives were revived, and Barcelona was bombed 2 times.

The Seizure of Mendizabal

Progressive Minister Mendizabal pushed a *desamortizadora* law intended to solve the deficit problem of public finances and obtain the resources necessary to win the war against Carlism, but it could not be solved.

The Moderate Decade

Isabel II was proclaimed of age and reigned for 13 years. During this period began to lift the liberal state.

The Constitution of 1845

It collected the basics of moderantisme: replacement of the joint national sovereignty of the king with Parliament and restriction of participation in political life to a minority.

The Reform of Moderate Politics

A bill that allowed the government to politically govern the councils was promoted. It was a reform of public finances. The Pidal plan organized higher levels of education. It created the Civil Guard.

The Opposition to Moderantisme

The pretender Charles led an uprising in Catalonia once the marriage project with Elizabeth II failed, which led to the establishment of alliances with Republicans. This conflict is known as the *Matiner’s* War.
The failure of revolutionary demonstrations involved the foundation of the Democratic Party.

The International Recognition

The Spanish participation in the French military expedition against the Roman Republic to help the pope gave way to recognition by the Queen of the Holy See. This led to signing a Concordat which restored relations between church and state.

The Progressive Biennium

The most important facts are the political and legislative law and general *desamortitazació* railways law.

The Insurrection of 1854

A moderate military sector organized a statement. The rebels, led by General O’Donnell, clashed with government troops. There was no clear winner. He published a text, the Manifesto of Manzanares, which incorporated progressive claims.

The Laws of the Period

  • The Constitution of 1856 was not enacted: the queen agreed, but the Constitution could not be approved.
  • The seizure of Pascual Madoz: The purpose of this law was to stabilize public finances. It favored the large owners, but the councils were hurt. Relations with the Holy See were interrupted as they had also affected the church.
  • The general law of railways: a general law was passed for railroads, which was built in the Spanish network.

The Social Conflict

Social conflict broke out of *selfactines* (confrontation between employers and workers). It was suppressed by the authorities. One of the leading spinners was executed, and the new General took action against the workers’ associations. The workers responded with a general strike. They did not achieve their goals. Workers’ associations returned underground.

The Second Moderate Stage

O’Donell was commissioned to restore a moderate regime. The Liberal Union tried to govern, but political tensions revealed the limitations of the Elizabethan regime. The Revolution of 1868 finally ended the reign of Elizabeth II. The Unionists and the moderates alternated government but were shown incapable of responding to demands for change.

The Restoration of Moderantisme

O’Donell restored the Constitution of 1845, adding items that limited the authority of the crown. Elizabeth II took away her confidence and was replaced by General Narvaez, who annulled the act and returned to the moderate regime.
A public instruction law was passed in 1857, which ordered the entire educational system using a centralized and uniform model. It established a double network: public and private.

The Union and the Catalan Bourgeoisie

The Catalan bourgeoisie saw an opportunity to end the policy of siege, but the disappointment came with the number of laws approved by centralizing governments generally.

The Colonial Mirage

O’Donell involved the whole country in a North African colonial adventure. The war in Morocco was highlighted by applying a policy of prestige, but Spain did not have sufficient means to maintain this kind of foreign policy.

Crisis and Popular Discontent

The country was affected by a major economic, social, and political crisis. The authorities opted for repression. The student protests in Madrid ended with 9 dead and 200 wounded on the Night of St. Daniel.

The Revolt of the Garrison of San Gil

Sergeants of the San Gil artillery barracks rebelled but failed. The opposition Democrats and progressives in exile met in the city of Ostend, where they helped to end the reign of Elizabeth II. The Unionists joined them.

The Independence of Latin America

Spain dominated a vast territory in America. Only 17 years later remained the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, who ended up losing in 1898 after fighting against the United States. The inability of the metropolis to continue maintaining the rule of political independence and aspirations of the descendants of Spaniards born American (Creole) were key factors in this process.

Process of Independence

Government boards were formed in the main capitals of America and territories. The situation at the time favored the clashes between those who wanted to keep connected to the metropolis and the supporters of independence. The Board of Caracas made the first proclamation of independence. Spain sent reinforcements to the colonies to fight the insurgents. Gen. Paul Morillos neutralized the resistance of New Granada, but the movement was revived with the arrival of Simon Bolivar. >
The Congress of Tucuman proclaimed Argentina’s independence. Chile’s independence was proclaimed the same year that Simon Bolivar proclaimed Venezuela’s independence.
The Battle of Ayacucho meant the loss of Peru.

The Loyalty of Cuba

Cuba remained outside the process of independence. It encouraged the economic exploitation of the sugar and tobacco plantations and the use of slave labor.
The landowners preferred to keep ties with the metropolis rather than starting a conflict that could encourage an uprising of black slaves.