The Regencies in Spain: Maria Cristina & Espartero (1833-1843)
The Regencies (1833-1843)
Regency of María Cristina (1833-1840)
During Isabel II’s minority, the crown’s responsibility fell to the regency of her mother, Maria Cristina, and later General Espartero. This decade was politically dominated by the Carlist War and the fluctuating power of liberal governments. Two main factions alternated in power: the Moderates and the Progressives.
Maria Cristina began her regency with Cea Bermúdez, who initiated liberal reforms. These included amnesty for liberals, changes in army command, and municipal renovations that empowered the urban middle class.
In 1834, Martínez de la Rosa introduced the Royal Statute, a document similar to the French Charter of 1814. The Crown ceded some power to the bicameral courts. However, the government faced challenges: the Carlist War, economic instability, and radical liberal factions.
The Count of Toreno, with Mendizabal in Finance, then took power. This period saw the dissolution of the Society of Jesus and the rise of progressive opposition. Mendizabal, a radical liberal, initiated the confiscation of church lands to finance the war and bolster liberal support. While the war effort continued, the confiscation aimed to stabilize the treasury and gain support for the liberal cause.
Mendizábal’s government marked an era of progressive governance. The sale of expropriated church lands aimed to alleviate the financial strain caused by the Carlist War. However, the war’s quick resolution failed, leading to further political shifts.
In 1836, the Sergeants’ Mutiny at La Granja Palace reinstated the 1812 Constitution, placing power in the hands of Mendizabal and Calatrava. The Constituent Cortes drafted the 1837 Constitution, a compromise between moderate and progressive ideals. It maintained national sovereignty, separation of powers, individual rights, and a bicameral system.
Subsequent governments leaned towards moderation. However, the ongoing civil war elevated the power and prestige of generals like Espartero and Narváez, who became rivals.
Espartero Regency (1840-1843)
Espartero resigned as president in 1840 and was named acting regent. He suspended Parliament to call new elections but never achieved a parliamentary majority. His support came from the urban lower classes, local officials, the navy, and the army, where he built a network of patronage.
Espartero’s government faced opposition due to anti-regionalist legislation and support for free trade. The establishment of a state of siege in Barcelona further fueled discontent.
By 1843, uprisings spread across Spain, with calls for constitutional normalcy. The Spanish Military Order, founded by Narváez, mobilized. The Seville revolt pitted Espartero loyalists against opposing urban militias.
The movement gained momentum in Barcelona with the Supreme Council, which sought to dismiss Espartero and appoint Prim. Narváez’s forces defeated Espartero at Torrejón de Ardoz in 1843, leading to a period of uncertainty until Isabel II’s majority.