Spain’s 1854-1868 Political Turmoil: Revolution to Restoration
The Crisis of the Decade (1854-1868)
Moderate results stemming from a series of scandals led to the Senate confronting the government. The government reacted by dissolving the Senate. This triggered the ultra-conservative revolution of 1854. Initially, the revolution had a popular character, coinciding with a period of agrarian crisis. This popular revolt joined the pronouncement carried out by General O’Donnell, who faced troops loyal to the government in Vicálvaro, resulting in an indecisive battle. This situation fueled the radicalization of popular revolts.
The result of this radicalization is known as the “Manzanares Manifesto,” through which O’Donnell attempted to control the revolutionary process. Isabel II’s position became highly unstable; to satisfy the revolutionary juntas, she was obliged to call upon General Espartero.
The Liberal Biennium (1854-1856)
Thus, between 1854 and 1856, the so-called Liberal Biennium took place. Espartero became the mayor, and O’Donnell the War Minister. A new constitution was drafted in 1856, similar to that of 1837 and progressively-leaning, but it was never proclaimed. Madoz initiated a disentailment process that affected municipal property.
The Biennium crisis stemmed from political instability due to differences between measured opening and progressives, in addition to existing within the progressive party.
This political instability was exacerbated by strong worker and peasant unrest. This conflict in the countryside prompted conservatives to demand that the government address the attacks, a situation that led to Espartero’s resignation. The Cortes were dissolved, and O’Donnell was tasked by the Crown with redressing the situation.
O’Donnell, Narváez, and the Liberal Union (1856-1863)
From 1856 to 1858, O’Donnell attempted to satisfy all parties. He dissolved the National Militia and, while reinstating the Constitution of 1845, added an addendum extending freedoms. He promised to continue with the seizure, but was replaced by Narváez. However, in 1858, O’Donnell returned to power, supported by his party, the “Liberal Union,” which represented an attempt at reconstructing liberalism. Five years of Liberal Union government (1858-1863) were marked by stability, in contrast to the earlier era. It was a time of agricultural expansion and strong growth in the cotton textile industry.
Unrest and the End of Isabel II’s Reign (1861-1868)
In 1861, the first peasant uprising occurred in Loja (Granada). From 1863 began the last five years of the reign of Elizabeth II, concluding with her departure from Spain and the so-called revolution of 1868.
During these five years, Narváez returned, and increasingly conservative governments succeeded each other. In 1865, General Prim, leader of the progressives, attempted an unsuccessful revolt in Villarejo de Salvanés. In August 1866, a coalition was finally formed with progressives and democrats, who signed the “Pact of Ostend,” a program in which they agreed to end the regime and the monarchy that sustained it. O’Donnell’s death and the increasingly repressive policies of the governments pushed even moderate unionists to participate in the Pact of Ostend.
The political landscape of Spain in early 1868 no longer conformed to the policy approaches of liberal ideology, with its two options: the moderate party and the progressive party. Now, the so-called Democrats appeared with dramatic force, with two trends: democratic-republican-monarchy and federalism.