The Canovist Restoration in Spain: 1874-1923
The Establishment of the Canovist System
During the six-year period (1868-1874), a sense of lawlessness emerged, which some social sectors interpreted as a threat to the liberal-conservative social order. This led to the restoration of the monarchy under Alfonso XII.
Origins of the Restoration Process
The objective was to enthrone the son of Elizabeth II, the Queen dethroned in 1868. The main protagonist was Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. A key event was the abdication of Isabella II in favor of her son, which occurred in 1870. Cánovas’s primary tool was the creation of an “Alfonsino” party. Its program centered on liberalism and loyalty to Alfonso XII, with a conservative agenda summarized as “Peace and Order.”
The army also played a significant role. The decision of moderate General Martínez Campos to launch a *pronunciamiento* in Sagunto was not welcomed by Cánovas, who preferred a legal restoration of the monarchy. The Manifesto of Sandhurst, drafted by Cánovas and signed by Alfonso, outlined the core ideas of the restoration project:
- Conservative nature of the constitutional monarchy.
- Catholic tradition compatible with freedom.
- Overcoming the constitutions of 1845 and 1869, creating the eclectic 1876 Constitution.
Formation of the Conservative and Liberal Parties
The Conservative Party emerged from a Senate meeting in 1875, founded by Cánovas del Castillo (who died in 1897) to support the new regime of Alfonso XII. This move satisfied the most conservative elements, distancing them from Carlism. The Liberal Party originated from the Constitutionalist Party, founded by Sagasta and Serrano during the reign of Amadeo I (Sagasta died in 1903). The Liberals incorporated right-wing and more progressive sectors of the Liberal Union, representing the reformist party of the Restoration.
Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, and Anarchists remained outside of power and the system of *turnismo* (alternating power).
The Foundations of the Restoration System
The ideological foundations of the Restoration system were those of its architect, Cánovas. His ideology, a fusion of influences, resulted in a political thought characterized by:
- Pragmatism in politics.
- Shared sovereignty between the King and the Cortes (parliament), rejecting the concept of national sovereignty.
- Pessimism.
Furthermore, the army was to remain outside of politics, ending military interference.
The electoral system relied on systematic fraud, favoring dominant groups.
The Constitution of 1876
The Constitution of 1876 has been, to date, the longest-lasting in Spanish history, remaining in force until 1923 and noted for its stability. It was a concise text with 89 articles, developed by a committee of experts convened by Cánovas. Approved in 1876 by Cortes elected by universal male suffrage, its essential features were:
- Shared sovereignty between the King and the Cortes.
- Voting rights, defined by two electoral laws: the 1878 law (census-based suffrage) and the 1890 law (universal male suffrage).
- Religious freedom, with Catholicism as the state religion but tolerating other faiths in private.
The Monarchy: The Center of the System
The characteristics of this system, as conceived by Cánovas, positioned the monarchy as essential to the structure of Spain. The monarchy played a triple role:
- It represented historical continuity.
- It guaranteed the social order emerging from the liberal revolution.
- The monarch was the cornerstone of the system.
Social and Political Bases: Caciquismo
Joaquín Costa considered the Restoration system an oligarchic and corrupt *cacique* system. However, it provided the country with a long period of stability. Spain lagged behind the economic transformations affecting other countries. Political life was characterized by *caciquismo*, a system of patronage, whose three pillars were:
- High-ranking officials in Madrid.
- Civil governors in the provinces.
- *Caciques* (local political bosses) in the villages.
These figures granted favors in exchange for votes, creating a system of political control and corruption.