Key Concepts and Figures of 19th Century Spain

Posted on Jan 11, 2025 in History

Key Concepts of 19th Century Spain

Liberal Monarchy: Characterized by a constitution, separation of powers, and two liberal parties (moderate and progressive).
Cacique: A person with undue political influence in a town, often exploiting laborers for votes.
Ruler: Someone who governs in place of the king.
Moderate Party: Advocated for restricted suffrage, bicameralism, and shared sovereignty.
Progressive Party: Supported less restricted suffrage, unicameralism, and national sovereignty.
Convention of Vergara (1879): Liberals agreed to respect Basque and Navarre privileges.
Confiscation of Mendizabal (1836-1837): Expropriation of church lands, aimed at reducing public debt and improving land use.
Confiscation of Madoz (1855): Attachment of communal lands, worsening the situation for peasants.
Bipartisanship: Coexistence of the Conservative (Canovas del Castillo) and Liberal (Práxedes Mateo Sagasta) parties.
Disaster of 98: Spain lost its last overseas colonies after the Spanish-American War.

Maria Christina of Bourbon: Mother of Elizabeth II, served as regent.
Juan Alvarez de Mendizabal: Progressive minister who carried out the 1836-1837 confiscation.
General Espartero: Ruler who succeeded Maria Cristina, ruled authoritatively.
Pascual Madoz: Minister who conducted the 1855 confiscation.
General Narvaez: Leader of the Moderate party.
Leopoldo O’Donnell: Leader of the Liberal Union.
Amadeus of Savoy: King of Spain briefly, resigned due to lack of support.
Francisco Pi y Maragall: President of the First Republic, resigned due to cantonal insurrections.
Antonio Canovas: Leader of the Conservative party.
Matthew Sagasta: Leader of the Liberal Party.
Maria Christina of Austria: Wife of Alfonso XII, served as regent after his death.