Spain’s 19th Century: From Absolutism to Liberalism

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 in History

1. Introduction

  • Charles IV and the Ancien Régime
  • Fear of the Spread of French Revolutionary Ideas
  • Godoy’s Influence: Subservience to French Interests, Presence of French Troops, and the Road to the War of Independence
  • The Cortes of Cadiz and the 1812 Constitution: A Liberal Experiment During the War of Independence
  • Fernando VII’s Return and the Restoration of Absolutism

2. Fear of Revolution and Alliance with Napoleonic France

2.1 Relations with Revolutionary France

  • Floridablanca and Aranda: Initial Panic at the French Revolution’s Expansion
  • Godoy’s Era (1792-1808): From War with France (1793-1795) to Alliance
  • Treaty of San Ildefonso (1796) and the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797)
  • Second Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800), War with Portugal, and Defeat at Trafalgar (1805)
  • Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807), Mutiny of Aranjuez (1808)
  • Dismissal of Godoy and Charles IV’s Abdication in Favor of Fernando VII

3. The War of Independence (1808-1814)

3.1 Background

  • Submission to French Interests, Dismissal of Godoy, and Charles IV’s Abdication
  • The Uprising of May 2nd
  • Joseph Bonaparte’s Ascension to the Spanish Throne

3.2 Characteristics of the War

  • Popular, National, and International Character
  • Guerrilla Warfare and Warring Factions

3.3 Duality of Power

3.4 Phases of the War

3.5 Consequences

  • Demographic and Economic Impact
  • Loss of Historical and Artistic Heritage
  • Military and Political Repercussions

4. Early Liberalism in Spain: The Cortes of Cadiz and the Constitution of 1812

4.1 The Calling of the Cortes

  • Dissolution of the Supreme Central Junta (1810), Appointment of a Regency, and Elections for the Cortes
  • First Session in Isla de León (24-9-1810), Relocation to Cadiz, and Dissolution (14-9-1813)

4.2 Composition of the Cortes of Cadiz

  • Social and Ideological Composition
  • Centralization and Unification of Spain, Including American Provinces

4.3 Decrees Abolishing the Old Regime

  • Freedom of Expression
  • Abolition of the Feudal System: Jurisdictional Domains, Guilds, and Mesta
  • Secularization of Common Lands
  • Religious Legislation: Abolition of the Inquisition and Secularization of Church Property
  • Administrative Reform and Political Centralization

4.4 The Constitution of 1812: Creation of the Liberal State

  • The Rise of Spanish Liberalism
  • Establishment of a Constitutional Commission (December 1810)
  • Key Figures: Diego Muñoz Torrero, Agustín Argüelles, and Count Toreno
  • Adoption on March 19, 1812
  • 384 Articles
  • Key Aspects:
    • Unitary State
    • Constitutional Monarchy
    • National Sovereignty
    • Right of Representation
    • Division of Powers: Legislature (Cortes and King), Executive (King with Limitations), Judiciary (Courts)
    • Rights and Duties of Citizens (Equality, End of Feudal Privileges, Inviolability of Domicile, Freedom of the Press)
    • Unicameral Cortes Elected by Universal Male Suffrage (over 25)
    • Short-Lived Validity

5. Restoration of Absolutism (1814-1833)

5.1 The Absolutist Sexenio (1814-1820)

  • Treaty of Valençay (11/12/1813) and Fernando VII’s Return to Spain (March 1814)
  • Manifesto of the Persians: Advocacy for Absolutism
  • Decree Annulling the Cortes’ Legislative Work (May 1814)
  • Crackdown on Liberals and Exile
  • Liberal Uprising of 1820

5.2 The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

  • Return to Liberalism and the 1812 Constitution
  • Division Between Moderate and Radical Liberals
  • Fernando VII’s Appeal to the Holy Alliance and the Intervention of the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis

5.3 The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

  • Restoration of Absolutism and Harsh Repression
  • Administrative Reforms by Enlightened Ministers:
    • Luis López Ballesteros’ Reforms: Banco de San Fernando, Bolsa de Madrid, Commercial Code
    • Creation of the Council of Ministers
  • Opposition from Liberals and Ultras
  • The Problem of Succession

6. The Emancipation of Spanish America (1810-1824)

  • Independence Movements During the War of Independence
  • Declarations of Independence by American Juntas
  • Argentina’s Independence (1816)
  • Full Independence by 1825, Except for Cuba and Puerto Rico