The Democratic Six-Year Period (1868-1876): A Tumultuous Era in Spanish History
Item 4: The Democratic Six-Year Period (1868-1876)
1. Introduction
The Revolution of September 1868, also known as “The Glorious,” marked the end of the monarchy of Isabella II. The following six years were a highly volatile period in Spanish history. Several political regimes emerged, all seeking a new political and social order. The burgeoning urban bourgeoisie and the emerging labor movement played key roles in this period, often referred to as the “Revolutionary Democratic Sexenio.” This era represented the final stage of the liberal revolution in Spain, an attempt to expand liberalism and establish democracy. However, it was plagued by various conflicts:
- Political: The rise of Carlism, the Cuban War, and ongoing struggles to define a stable political system.
- Social: Demands from the working class and the nascent labor movement, which split into socialist and anarchist factions.
- Economic: A backdrop of crisis and debate between protectionism and free trade.
The bourgeoisie failed to stabilize a democratic regime. The regency of Serrano, the monarchy of Amadeo I, and the First Republic all struggled to control these conflicts. The six-year period ultimately failed to modernize the country politically and led to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII, son of Isabella II.
Internationally, this period coincided with two significant events in Europe: the Italian unification and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy, and the German unification, giving birth to the Second German Reich.
2. Causes of the September Revolution
The final years of Isabella II’s reign (1863-1868) witnessed a series of economic and political crises that exposed the weaknesses of the liberal system and the fragility of the Spanish economy.
2.1. Economic Crises
Three major economic crises fueled the revolution:
1. Financial Crisis: 
The value of publicly traded shares plummeted due to the Spanish railway crisis. Large capital investments in railway construction failed to yield expected returns, leading to a collapse in share prices. Investors demanded state subsidies, which the government couldn’t provide. This triggered a credit crunch, causing widespread alarm among businesses and individuals.
2. Industrial Crisis: The textile industry in Catalonia suffered greatly due to the American Civil War (1861-1865). Catalan industry relied heavily on American cotton. The war disrupted cotton supplies, leading to price increases and the closure of many small businesses in Catalonia, resulting in increased unemployment.
3. Subsistence Crisis: Beginning in 1866, a series of poor harvests led to shortages of wheat, a staple food in Spain. Wheat prices soared, doubling between 1865 and 1868. The resulting rise in bread and other food prices led to widespread hunger and social unrest, including violent protests in rural areas and strikes in cities, impacting the working class’s living standards.
2.2. Political Crises
- The authoritarian nature of the government, controlled by the Liberal Union and the Moderate Party, fueled discontent and led to uprisings like the Revolt of the Sergeants of San Gil.
- The Pact of Ostend, signed in 1867 by the Progressive and Democratic parties, aimed to overthrow Isabella II. The pact called for constituent elections based on universal male suffrage to determine Spain’s future form of government (monarchy or republic).
- The deaths of Leopoldo O’Donnell and Ramón María Narváez, leaders of the Liberal Union and Moderate Party respectively, created a leadership vacuum in the parties supporting Isabella II, further weakening her position. The Unionists, after their leader’s death, joined the Pact of Ostend.
3. The Revolution of September 1868
On September 19, 1868, Brigadier Juan Bautista Topete led a naval uprising against Isabella II’s government from the Bay of Cádiz. This coup, planned by the Progressive, Democratic, and Liberal Union parties, marked the beginning of the revolution. Prim, leader of the Progressive Party, returned from exile in London, and General Serrano, leader of the Liberal Union, returned from the Canary Islands. They joined the rebels and quickly gained popular support in Cádiz after issuing a manifesto calling for freedom, order, and honesty, ending with the slogan “Long live Spain with honor!”
With three frigates, Prim led successful uprisings in Málaga, Almería, and Cartagena. Isabella II’s government attempted to suppress the rebellion militarily. The decisive clash occurred at the Battle of Alcolea near Córdoba on September 28th. The rebels, led by General Serrano, defeated the royal army. The government resigned, and Isabella II, who was vacationing in San Sebastián, fled to France on September 29th, where she was received by Emperor Napoleon III.
Beyond the military coup and battles, popular uprisings played a crucial role in the revolution. Led by the Progressive, Democratic, and Republican parties, these revolts spread across numerous cities. Their demands included greater freedom, national sovereignty, separation of church and state, abolition of conscription and excise taxes, universal suffrage, constituent elections, and, for some, the proclamation of a republic.
However, the revolutionary leaders didn’t accept all the demands from the local revolutionary juntas. Their primary goal was the overthrow of Isabella II. In early October, after the rebels entered Madrid, they proposed the formation of a provisional government without consulting the other provincial juntas.