Spanish Political Parties and Constitutions: 1837-1868
The Reign of Isabella II: Political Parties and Constitutions (1837-1868)
The Progressive Party
The Progressive Party, whose *broadsword* was General Espartero, had the support of the small and middle bourgeoisie, the middle classes, workers, and artisans. It originated in the *exalted* of the Liberal Triennium. It defended national sovereignty. The party also limited the rights of citizens and conditioned freedoms guaranteed by laws outside the constitution. Besides them, there was no true freedom of the press, as there was censorship.
Calatrava called elections to the Constituent *Cortes* to reform the 1812 Constitution, but instead, they drafted a new constitution in 1837. This constitution sought to incorporate features of both ideologies, aiming to be accepted by both Progressives and Moderates. However, overall, it was more moderate. The Constitution of 1837 finally established constitutional rule in Spain.
Key Features of the 1837 Constitution:
- Established national sovereignty and various rights of citizens.
- Division of powers.
- Bicameral *Cortes*.
- Established Catholicism as the official religion but did not prohibit others.
After drafting the constitution and dissolving the chambers, elections were held until 1840, resulting in a more or less moderate government. This anticipated the age of Isabella II, who began her reign. This reign commenced with a Progressive government led by Olózaga in 1843. In 1844 began the Moderate Decade, led by Narvaez and Bravo Murillo. During this decade, attempts were made to implement a doctrinaire liberalism that sought to curtail the nation’s powers and expand those of the crown. The Civil Guard was created in 1844 by Narvaez.
The 1845 Constitution and its Impact
The year 1845 was very important, as it saw the drafting of the Constitution of 1845. The following laws also came into effect:
- The Law of Municipalities (municipalities were to be appointed by the crown and the government, not elected).
- The Press Law.
- The Law of Mon-Santillán.
The Constitution of 1845 was clearly conservative and moderate, expanding the powers of the crown.
Key Features of the 1845 Constitution:
- Established a shared sovereignty.
- The crown was part of the executive branch and the legislative branch.
- The crown could call, dissolve, and constitute *Cortes*, as well as appoint and dismiss ministers.
- Established a bicameral system.
Emergence of New Political Parties
During this year, new parties began to form:
The Democratic Party: Formed from Democrats who separated from the Progressives, believing that the Progressives were going nowhere. They advocated for universal national sovereignty, extending freedoms and rights, including the rights of assembly and association. They defended religious liberty and trial by jury, as well as the extension of universal and free education for all.
The Liberal Union: Formed from the most progressive Moderates and the more moderate Progressives, led by O’Donnell. In 1854, O’Donnell, alongside Dulce, led the *Vicalvarada*, a ruling that did not succeed. However, it also saw popular uprisings led by Progressives and Democrats. Espartero took charge of this movement. O’Donnell joined this movement by contacting the *Manifesto of the Manzanares*, uniting the two movements. Consequently, Isabella II had to leave the government to Espartero.
The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
This inaugurated the Progressive Biennium and a new constitution was drafted, although it never came into force. However, economic reforms did come into effect. In 1855, the ecclesiastical disentailment was reactivated, and the finance minister, Madoz, initiated civil confiscation. In the same year, the General Railway Law was introduced, and a year later, in 1856, the Law on Banks and Credit Issuing Companies came into force.
The End of the Biennium and the Rise of Unionists and Moderates
The Progressive Biennium ended in 1856 as Spain remained in crisis. With more freedoms, workers’ movements developed. Espartero left his post as head of state, and a period between 1856 and 1868 saw alternating Moderate and Unionist governments. The main stage was the Unionist government between 1858 and 1863. Between 1863 and 1868, there was a stage in which very repressive Moderate governments succeeded each other.
The Glorious Revolution of 1868
Finally, in 1868, Topete’s pronouncement led to the Revolution of ’68 (or Glorious Revolution/Septembrina), after which Isabella II had to leave the country with her son, the future King Alfonso XII.