Restoration of the Spanish Monarchy (1874-1902): Alfonso XII & Regency

Posted on Oct 31, 2024 in History

Restoration of the Spanish Monarchy (1874-1902)

Restoration of the Monarchy

Following six years of political instability after the First Spanish Republic (1873-1874), a sense of lawlessness emerged, threatening the existing social order. This led to the dictatorship of Serrano in 1874. The army, the Church, and the upper classes sought a solution, culminating in the restoration of the monarchy under Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II, spearheaded by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. Cánovas, the architect of the restoration, rallied the former supporters of Isabel II. After six years of unstable democracy, conservatives regained control.

Political System

Political Principles

Two main political parties emerged:

  • The Conservative Party (defenders of social order and the status quo)
  • The Liberal-Fusionist Party (advocates of social reform)

This resulted in a political thought characterized by:

  • Pragmatism
  • Defense of the historical constitution
  • Shared sovereignty between the King and the Cortes (Parliament)

The political system, however, was based on electoral fraud, favoring the dominant groups.

The Constitution of 1876

Known for its stability, the 1876 Constitution, drafted by experts, became one of the most enduring in Spanish history. Its key features included:

  • Shared sovereignty between the King and the Cortes
  • Suffrage (voting rights)
  • Freedom of religion

The monarchy became the central pillar of the state.

Turnismo and Political Developments

Turnismo, a system of alternating power between the Conservative and Liberal parties, characterized this era. The main political actors were:

  • Conservative Party (led by Cánovas, liberal and constitutionalist)
  • Liberal-Fusionist Party (originating from the constitutional party of Amadeo I)
  • Republican opposition (against the restored monarchy)
  • Carlists (a traditionalist movement)
  • Emerging nationalist movements

This period saw manipulation of the electoral process, with politicians taking turns in power, supported by the Crown and the Cortes.

Reign of Alfonso XII (1875-1885)

Alfonso XII’s reign, guided by Cánovas, established the fundamental principles of the new political system. The Conservative Party held political hegemony, consolidating the monarchy. This period saw educational reforms and a reduction in freedoms. Two major conflicts marked this era:

  • The Third Carlist War (resulting in the defeat of Carlos VII)
  • The Ten Years’ War in Cuba (Spanish troops were sent under Martínez Campos, but Cuba was not granted provincial status. Alfonso XII opted for the turnismo system.)

Sagasta’s government ended in 1883.

Regency of María Cristina (1885-1902)

María Cristina served as regent until Alfonso XIII came of age. This period was marked by the 1876 Constitution, the loss of Spanish colonies, rising nationalism, and attempts to stabilize the system. Sagasta formed a long-lasting government. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) and the UGT (General Union of Workers) were founded during this time. The final stage of the regency was marked by crisis, particularly due to the colonial situation.

The Political Opposition

The Canovist system faced opposition from various sectors:

  • Carlism (armed resistance against the government)
  • Nationalism:
    • Catalan nationalism (focused on cultural identity and opposed to imposed liberalism)
    • Basque nationalism (based on fuerismo, Carlist wars, and industrialization, founded by Sabino Arana)
  • Republican opposition (divided into various factions):
    • Historical republicans
    • The Republican Party led by Zorrilla and Salmerón
    • Institutional republicans
    • Federal republicans
  • The labor movement (faced repression after the restoration, with the formation of the PSOE and UGT in 1879. Anarchism, an influential labor ideology, was illegal and persecuted, leading to an attack on Alfonso XII in Madrid.)

The Crisis of 1898 and its Aftermath

By the reign of Alfonso XIII, Spain retained only Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. This coincided with growing U.S. expansionism. Spain’s loss of territories was attributed to a lack of reforms. The loss of the colonies intensified nationalist sentiments. U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence led to the Spanish-American War. This conflict had four phases:

  • The start of the uprising in 1895
  • 1895-1896: Advance of rebel troops
  • 1896-1897: Weyler replaced Martínez Campos
  • 1897-1898: A hostile environment

The U.S. had multiple reasons for intervening, including Caribbean interests and the sinking of the USS Maine. In the Treaty of Paris, Spain lost its remaining colonial possessions, resulting in a political disaster. In this context, social reforms were instituted, and Alfonso XIII began his reign.