Spain’s Political Landscape: 1844-1863
The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)
The Moderate Party, under the leadership of General Narvaez, dominated the political scene for the next ten years, giving name to the “Moderate Decade.” One of his first acts, supported by the most conservative sectors of the bourgeoisie, was to abolish the Constitution of 1837 and draft the Constitution of 1845, which is the most conservative in the history of Spain and is characterized by:
- Shared sovereignty between the Courts and King
- Division of powers (the legislative power rests jointly with the King in Parliament, the executive is held by the King)
- Bicameral Cortes (Congress of Deputies, appointed by a very restricted census suffrage; Senate, appointed by the Crown, for life)
- Exclusive to the Catholic religion by committing the state to its maintenance
- Increase the powers of the King
In addition, a series of reforms were conducted:
- Dissolution of the National Militia in 1843 (instrument of the Progressives) and its replacement by the Civil Guard in charge of monitoring and protecting the rural environment
- Suppression of freedom of the press
- Change the law of municipalities (mayors are now elected by the Government)
- Reform of the estate of Mon-Santillan, all taxpayers will pay the IRS in accordance with their income
During this period, the Concordat of 1851 was signed with the Holy See, which settled the rupture that had occurred as a result of ecclesiastical confiscation. The Church accepted the confiscation, and Spain recognized the Catholic confessional state and admitted their involvement in teaching.
However, the Moderate Party’s internal divisions, corruption, and financial scandals, sometimes associated with the royal family and prominent members of the government, prevented the masses from giving their support to a liberal finding of a progressive nature. This was led by General Leopoldo O’Donnell in 1854 in Vicálvaro. It is called The “Vicalvarada.” The declaration of intent through the “Manzanares Manifesto” (reform of the electoral law, restoration of the National Militia, a free press), prepared by Canovas del Castillo, determined the mobilization of progressive groups. Amid the general confusion, the Queen decided to call Espartero, thus beginning the:
The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
The National Militia was restored, although the Civil Guard remained in force. A constitutional text was drafted in 1856, similar to that of 1837, which, although approved by the Cortes, was never enacted (Constitution Non Nata).
An important event was the General Confiscation Act developed by Pascual Madoz, who came to complete the work of Mendizabal. It especially affected the secular clergy and municipal property. The objectives were, among others, to finance public works such as railways. This secularization, along with previously mentioned measures, prompted the break with the Church. But the pressures of the Crown and the Church caused the reaction of the moderate liberals, who brought down Espartero and the return of the moderates to power.
The Moderate Biennium (1856-1858)
Narvaez returned. The Constitution of 1845 was replaced.
Government of O’Donnell’s Liberal Union (1858-1863)
This would be the most stable government in the reign of Elizabeth II. The Constitution of 1845 was reinstated. The highlight of this government was investing in public works that would enable the development of railways. It carried out a reform of the army and continued with the seizure. It took the first plan of roads (radial roads around Madrid). In addition, it also included the important foreign policy conducted by O’Donnell (called prestige), aimed at maintaining Spain’s status as a second-order power abroad. To do this, Spain would be integrated into the Quadruple Alliance (Britain, France, and Portugal), defenders of Elizabeth II, while the front was the Holy Alliance (Austria, Prussia, and Russia, which supported the Carlists). For prestige, it intervened in conflicts such as the war of Cochinchina to help France, the Crimean War, and the War of Africa (1859), in which Spain was able to consolidate positions in Ceuta and Melilla. Although Tangier was missed, it gave O’Donnell much popularity, helping France and England during the War of Mexico.
O’Donnell gradually lost favor, as did Canovas del Castillo and General Prim. In 1863, Queen Elizabeth II accepted his resignation.