The Manifesto of the Persians: Absolutism in Spain
The Manifesto of the Persians
This text is a letter written by absolutists in defense of the restoration of the monarchy. It was written in 1814 when Ferdinand VII returned to Spain after the defeat of France, and it is addressed to the king.
One of the things that the Aranjuez Mutiny provoked was the abdication of Charles IV in favor of his son Ferdinand VII. The confrontation between these two made it possible for Napoleon to call them both to Bayonne and convince them to abdicate in his favor. Then, Napoleon gave the crown to his brother Joseph.
Joseph, trying to attract Spaniards, enacted the Bayonne Statute (a charter granted by the king), which allowed more freedoms than absolutism. Its characteristics were: press freedom, freedom of business and commerce, and an equal tax system throughout the country. A group of Spanish ilustrados, formed by civil servants and priests, cooperated with Joseph I and thought that he was the appropriate one to begin the reforms required in Spain. However, the Bayonne Statute was not put into force because Spaniards did not accept reforms from a foreign king, and the Independence War against the French started.
As the French invasion became evident, Madrid citizens mutinied against the French, and the mutinies expanded. This was the beginning of the Independence War. Here the Spaniards defeated the French in battles like Bailén. Napoleon came with a huge army and managed to take control of the majority of the territory (because he wanted to direct Spain personally), except for the regions with guerrillas. The guerrillas were formed by former military personnel and peasants and backed by the British army, who were now their allies. For six years, the French army and those who supported them fought against these guerrillas.
To organize the fight against the French, Provincial Juntas were created. In 1808, these Provincial Juntas constituted the Central Junta, which, in the absence of the king, assumed the regency. Central Juntas were in favor of the old regime, but the war situation convinced them of the need for revolutionary measures.
On March 19th, 1812, the first Liberal constitution, nicknamed ‘’La Pepa’’, was accepted. Its characteristics were the following:
- National sovereignty, which meant that the power belonged to the nation.
- Division of powers: legislative (unicameral courts), judicial (tribunals), and executive (king, with some limitations).
- New representation right.
- A complex process of suffrage (universal male).
- Deputies were the representatives of the nation (not a social group).
- Rights of citizens and different groups were accepted.
- Other rights accepted were individual rights related to education, printing, and property.
- Equality.
- It was a constitutional monarchy.
- Elimination of references to the old laws or fueros.
- Catholicism was the only religion allowed.
However, the constitution was not very influential. It was in force during the Three-Year Liberal period, but it was eliminated when Ferdinand VII recovered absolutist power.
Also in 1812, Wellington and Spanish and Portuguese forces defeated the French. So, Napoleon returned the crown to Ferdinand VII in the Treaty of Valençay. Thus, French troops left Spain, and this was the end of the war. However, Ferdinand VII did not return until 1814 because his return was delayed, and the liberals that governed the country at the moment continued losing strength. Ferdinand VII re-established absolutism.
As mentioned, Ferdinand VII wanted to establish absolutism. The Persians were the most conservative absolutists, and they were in favor of the ancient regime and the return of Ferdinand. They proposed the meeting of traditional Courts, not to use the constitution, and the elimination of liberal courts.
In conclusion, we can say that the text influenced the absolutist restoration, which happened during Ferdinand VII’s government period. As well as the Three-Year Liberal period, only one pronunciamiento was successful, the one of Riego, who was going to be sent to America to fight against independents. He proclaimed the 1812 constitution and urged the king to accept it. “The Ominous Decade,” where absolutism returned, was joined with the Old Regime. Spain, part of the Holy Alliance, supported itself on this alliance agreed upon by Russia, Austria, and Prussia, who also wanted an absolutist government in their country.
However, Ferdinand VII approached liberalism at the end of his life to assure his daughter Isabella’s succession.