Spain’s 1868 Revolution & the 1869 Constitution

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 in History

The Revolution of 1868 and the Constitution of 1869

La Gloriosa

“La Gloriosa” involved a popular uprising, primarily military and progressive liberals, against Queen Isabella II and the moderate government of Narváez.

Causes

  1. Financial Crisis (1866): Due to low profitability of investments in both public and private railways, hindering aid to other economic sectors.
  2. Textile Industry Crisis: Difficulty obtaining raw cotton, mainly from the USA during the Civil War, led to business closures and layoffs, fueling social conflict.
  3. Agrarian Crisis: Poor harvests resulted in higher grain prices, social unrest, and protests against the government.

Progressives, joined by Unionists and exiled Republicans, met in Ostend (1866) to:

  • Overthrow the government and Queen.
  • Approve a constitution including universal male suffrage.
  • Debate Spain’s future government: parliamentary monarchy or republic.

Revolutionary Events

The revolution began in September 1868 in the Bay of Cadiz with the naval revolt led by Brigadier Topete. It spread to Andalusian military detachments (led by General Prim), Barcelona, and Ferrol. National Military and revolutionary boards supported the uprising, along with people in towns and cities. The army, mostly loyal to the government, lost the Battle of Alcolea (1868) in Córdoba.

Consequences

Queen Isabella II resigned and left for France with her family. General Serrano became the regent, and General Prim (1869-70) the head of government.

The Constitution of 1869

A provisional government was formed by the revolution’s leaders: Prim, Serrano, Topete (military), and Ruiz Zorrilla, Sagasta (civilians). Their initial actions focused on establishing basic freedoms: association, academic, and expression. Economic laws favored free trade and a monarchical regime. Importantly, they called for elections to the Constituent Cortes with universal male suffrage to draft a new constitution.

The 1869 Constitution, Spain’s first democratic one, affirmed national sovereignty and established a monarchy. It guaranteed rights and liberties, including freedom of association, expression, assembly, and the then-unusual inviolability of correspondence.

It established a clear division of powers:

  • Cortes: Bicameral legislature (Congress and Senate) elected by universal male suffrage. The Senate, with members over 40 and holding senior positions, aimed to curb radicalism.
  • Executive: Following the British model (“the king reigns but does not govern”), the ministry was responsible to parliament.
  • Judicial: Guaranteed independence and democratization, regulating judicial careers and introducing jury trials.

Heated debates arose on three issues:

  1. Form of Government: Republicans advocated for a republic, while the coalition of Unionists, Progressives, and Democrats defended a democratic monarchy.
  2. Property: Republicans challenged the concept of property as a natural right and advocated for the right to work.
  3. Religious Freedom: Carlists (defending Catholic unity) and Neo-Catholics opposed it, while Republicans sought a strict separation of church and state. The Constitution supported the Catholic Church’s expenses, causing further debate.

Prim’s Government and the Search for a King

The 1869 Constitution declared Spain a monarchy, but there was no king. A regency headed by General Serrano was established, with Juan Prim as head of government.

Government Reforms under Juan Prim

The government implemented reforms in local administration, the judicial system, and taxes:

  1. Municipal Law of 1870: Restored democracy in municipalities, making all officials (mayors and councilors) elective.
  2. Unification of Privileges: Removed or limited special courts (ecclesiastical and military). Drafted a new Penal Code (1870) and Criminal Procedure Act, introducing jury trials.
  3. Economic Reforms: Liberals and Democrats implemented measures for economic growth. Laureano Figuerola, a key figure in Serrano’s first government (1868), proposed significant reforms:
    • Fiscal Reform: Eliminated the “consumption” tax and reduced state monopolies (salt, snuff, lotteries). This increased state debt, forcing the introduction of other taxes like capitation (tax per person over 14), which faced resistance from the bourgeoisie.
    • New Currency: The peseta replaced the real in 1868.
    • Tariff Act (1869): Gradual reduction of customs tariffs to facilitate imports of capital goods and exports of food and raw materials, aiming to make Spanish industry competitive.
    • Mines Act (1871): Encouraged foreign investment and capital inflows to finance economic growth. It facilitated massive mineral exports in the following decades.

The Choice of a New King

The Cortes of 1869 opted for a monarchy but rejected the return of Isabella II. Republicans opposed monarchy, while Carlists and Alfonsinos supported their candidates (Carlos VII and Alfonso XII). A new monarch was needed, as the revolution aimed to replace the Bourbon dynasty. Finding a monarch who aligned with the Constitution and was accepted by European powers proved challenging.

Several alternatives were considered, including General Espartero. Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern raised concerns in France, leading to the Franco-Prussian War (1870) and Napoleon III’s defeat. The Duke of Montpensier (Isabella II’s brother-in-law) was opposed by Prim. The strongest candidates were King Ferdinand of Portugal and the Duke of Aosta (son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy).

Prim and the Progressives initially favored the Portuguese bid, but fears of an Iberian Union in Portugal and England hindered it. The Duke of Aosta, accepted by Parliament in November 1870, was also favored by European powers. He reigned as Amadeo I. The Cortes’ vote was close: 191 for Amadeo I, 100 for alternatives (Federal Republic, Duke of Montpensier), and 19 abstentions.