Reign of Ferdinand VII of Spain: Absolutism & Liberalism

Posted on Nov 17, 2024 in History

Reign of Ferdinand VII (1814-1833)

Restoration in Europe: Three Stages

1. Sexenio Absolutist (1814-1820)

  • 1814: Ferdinand VII returns to Spain. Dissolves las Cortes and abolishes the Constitution.
  • Restoration of the Ancien Régime: Inquisition, seigneurial jurisdiction, privileged estates.
  • Persecution of Liberals. Plots against the king from within the army.
  • Short-lived governments unable to solve Spain’s problems. Hacienda crisis. Failed reforms due to opposition from the privileged, led by Prince Don Carlos.

2. The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

  • General Riego’s strike (troops for America), January 1, 1820.
  • March 10: Ferdinand VII accepts the Constitution.
  • Legislative Activity:
    • Restores the Constitution and las Cortes.
    • Abolishes the Inquisition, jurisdictional lordships, guilds.
    • New laws: Penal Code, civil administration reorganization, provincial division, fiscal reform.
    • Measures against the Church: Tithe reduced, monastic orders limited, Society of Jesus suppressed.
  • Political Instability:
    • Division between moderate and radical liberals.
    • Confrontation between las Cortes and the king. Ferdinand VII conspires with foreign powers (Holy Alliance).
    • Absolutist guerrillas emerge (Carlist precedent).
  • Verona Congress decides to intervene in Spain. 1823: French army “Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Loui”) restores Ferdinand VII’s absolute power.

3. The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

  • Return to Absolutism:
    • Revocation of the Triennium’s work. Decree of October 1: invalidates all legislation and administrative actions.
  • Suppression of Liberals:
    • Military juntas, purification boards, faith boards (censorship).
    • Realistic Volunteers (national counter-militia).
  • Political Instability: Division between moderate and radical absolutists (supporters of Don Carlos).
  • Unresolved problems: financial, economic (loss of American market).
  • 1825 onwards: Suppression of liberals softens. Ferdinand VII leans towards moderate positions.
  • 1826:”Manifesto of Pure Realists” 1827:”War of the Grievance” (absolutist uprising in Catalonia).
  • Ferdinand VII refuses to restore the Inquisition and builds bridges with moderate liberals.

4. The Succession Crisis

  • Ferdinand VII’s fourth marriage (Maria Christina) produces a daughter, Isabella.
  • 1830: Ferdinand VII promulgates the Pragmatic Sanction.
  • 1832:”Events of La Granj” (withdrawal and replacement of the Pragmatic Sanction).
  • Ferdinand VII ensures Isabella’s succession: Exiles Don Carlos, changes army control, restrains Realistic Volunteers, seeks support from moderate liberals.
  • September 29, 1833: Ferdinand VII dies.
1.4 Consequences of War
  • Very negative consequences:
  • Lost population: 500,000 deaths (population of 11 million).
  • Economic ruin: Destruction surpasses normal levels. Progress of the 18th century destroyed.
  • Ruin of the Treasury.
  • Francophiles: First mass exile.
  • Start of American Independence.
3.1 The Constitution of 1812
  • Long and complex (384 articles in 10 titles).
  • Key points:
  • National sovereignty.
  • Division of powers (King’s interference in the legislature).
  • Abolition of manorial privileges (equality before the law and taxation).
  • Civil and political rights.
  • Representative system (indirect universal suffrage in third grade).
  • Responsible ministers.
  • Democratic councils.
  • National Militia.
  • Confessional state.
  • Inviolability of Parliament and MPs. Permanent Deputation of the Cortes.
3.2 Ordinary Legislation
  • More radical than the Constitution.
  • Attacked feudal privileges:
  • Abolition of domains: Courts disappear, territories become private property.
  • Disentailment of municipal land.
  • Abolition of Mayorazgo.
  • Abolition of guilds and freedom of industry.
  • Freedom of the press (before the Constitution).
  • Abolition of the Inquisition (heresy remained under ecclesiastical jurisdiction).