Spanish Constitution 1812 & Reign of Ferdinand VII
The Spanish Constitution of 1812
Key features of the 1812 Constitution:
- Hereditary constitutional monarchy.
- Declaration of rights: inviolability of domicile, freedom of the press, legal equality, and elementary education for all.
- Confessional state.
- Indirect universal suffrage in the fourth grade.
- Creation of the Militia.
- Separation of powers:
- Legislative: Unicameral Cortes.
- Executive: Monarch.
- Judicial: Courts of Justice.
The constitution is important because it marked the beginning of Spanish constitutionalism and challenged the idea of absolute power.
Ferdinand VII (1814-1833)
First Absolutist Phase (1814-1820)
Ferdinand VII signed the Treaty of Valençay, where Napoleon recognized him as king. He signed the Manifesto of the Persians, condemning the work of the Cortes of Cádiz and defending absolutism, with the support of deputies and the town. He restored absolutism and undid the reformist work of the Cortes.
The government had to rebuild a country plunged into a severe economic depression due to the war. This objective was impossible while maintaining the old regime structures. Military pronouncements, carried out by former anti-Napoleonic guerrillas who had been sidelined in favor of the former royal army, occurred.
Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
In 1820, one of these pronouncements succeeded. Lieutenant Colonel Riego revolted against troops who were going to embark for America. The king had no choice but to accept the events and swear the 1812 Constitution.
During these three years, the Liberals were divided into:
- Moderates: Supporters of the 1812 Constitution with prudent reforms.
- Exalted: Supporters of the 1812 Constitution unchanged and faster reforms.
Reforms interrupted in 1814 were continued: abolition of guilds, abolition of entailment and lordships, disbanding of the Inquisition, restoration of freedom of the press, and continuation of the secularization of the clergy. These reforms produced opposition from absolutists and the monarchy. Ferdinand VII demanded the intervention of foreign troops. France intervened in Spain in 1823; the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis crossed the Spanish border and restored Ferdinand VII as absolute monarch.
Absolutist Decade (1823-1833)
On the same day of his release, Ferdinand VII published a manifesto declaring all legislation from 1820-1823 null and void. This began the Ominous Decade. Fierce repression against the Liberals was unleashed.
A complete restoration of the absolutist state was impossible, and Ferdinand VII was forced to make reforms. A royal decree called the Amnesty was published; many absolutists considered it too lenient and felt betrayed. These absolutists coalesced around Don Carlos.
Spain lost its overseas possessions when it needed them most.
Succession Crisis
Isabel was born in 1830. The king revoked the Salic Law issued by Philip V and promulgated the Pragmatic Sanction, which recognized the right of women to inherit the throne. This excluded Don Carlos from the throne.
Upon the death of Ferdinand VII, Don Carlos claimed his right to the crown. Armed uprisings occurred in favor of Don Carlos, starting a civil war between the liberal supporters of Isabel II (Elizabethans) and the absolutist Carlists, which lasted seven years.