The Regency of Espartero (1840-1843): Rise, Policies, and Fall
The Regency of Espartero (1840-1843)
Causes of Espartero’s Rise
In the September 1837 elections, moderates won a majority and began to form the government. Regent Maria Cristina’s strong support for moderate policies provoked a confrontation between the progressives and the Crown. A widespread insurrection arose in many parts of the country, and Maria Cristina, rather than support a progressive government, resigned. Progressive factions then turned to General Espartero.
Espartero’s Measures and Regency
Espartero assumed the regency in 1841, but his governing style resulted in marked absolutism. An 1842 tariff opened the Spanish market to British cotton fabrics, threatening the Catalan industry. This measure provoked an uprising in Barcelona involving both the bourgeoisie and the working class, who saw their jobs at risk. Espartero bombarded the city to force its submission. The moderates seized this opportunity to launch a series of conspiracies led by Generals O’Donnell and Narváez.
The Fall of Espartero (1843)
Espartero fell victim to a conspiracy of anti-Espartero progressives (like Joaquin Maria Lopez) and moderates (like Gonzalez Bravo, General Narvaez, and O’Donnell). In 1843, the resignation of the government presided over by Joaquin Maria Lopez prompted Espartero to accuse it of dictatorial methods. He refused to step down, leading the government itself to resign and creating a political crisis. Shortly after, General Narváez launched a military uprising in Torrejón de Ardoz. After a brief battle, Espartero renounced the regency and was exiled to England. A provisional government headed by Joaquin Maria Lopez was formed, and Isabel II was declared of age. Queen Isabel II appointed Salustiano Olozaga, who had been her tutor, as Head of Government. Olozaga obtained permission from the Queen to dissolve the Cortes, which was dominated by moderates. The moderate courts did not accept this decision and accused Olozaga of abusing the Queen’s trust for the right of dissolution. Olozaga was accused of dishonor and forced to resign. He was replaced by the moderate González Bravo, who restored the Municipalities Act, empowering the government.
Differences Between Progressives and Moderates
Moderates
Moderate liberals defended order, property, and agreed-upon reforms. They were supported by landowners, the gentry (industrialists, financiers), the middle class (doctors, lawyers), the peasantry, the army (led by Narváez), and even a small section of the clergy and nobility.
They established a constitutional monarchy (1845) based on national sovereignty, where the king ruled alongside Parliament but with significant power. The monarch could veto, create, or abolish laws, appoint the government, and even dissolve the Cortes. Only 2% of the population had voting rights and limited rights of expression, assembly, and association. Catholicism was the official state religion, subsidized by the state without dispossessing its property.
A centralized administration was created, with a hierarchy of positions and functions from the center to the periphery (minister, governors, mayors). The Civil Guard was created, abolishing the militia and local boards. The economic model was based on protectionism.
Moderate Composition
Composed of liberals and groups that had split from the radicals and progressives, they sought to assimilate the principles of the Old Regime with new liberal ideas. The moderate group was composed of liberal “doceanistas,” who described themselves as “men of order,” and groups that had separated from the exalted and progressive factions. Their concern was to build a unitary state served by a secure, centralized administration. Power was to be controlled by the propertied and educated classes. For this, the chosen procedure was “census suffrage,” allowing only those who paid a fixed annual amount to the state to elect representatives or senators.
Progressives
Progressives were supported by the middle classes, including landowners, merchants, manufacturers, and university intellectuals. Until the mid-1850s, they also had the support of the “popular classes.” Progressives upheld the initial definition of the 1812 Constitution, which stated that sovereignty resided in the people—the nation—and had its exclusive representation in the Cortes, the legislative body. They advocated for a liberal economy, eliminating tariff barriers for foreign producers in mutual exchanges with other countries (no government intervention). Another progressive aim was to suppress what they called the “blood tax,” or compulsory military service through the estate system, and to establish a professional army.
While their program was “not revolutionary,” they advocated, like the moderates, for census suffrage in elections, although they sought to expand citizen participation by reducing the required annual contribution amount. Their very name was linked to the idea that the individual, society, and nature were subject to a process of constant improvement and perfection. These similarities with the new political currents were almost identical, as they were determined to obstruct any challenges to the existing order.