The Restoration of Alfonso XII and the Cánovas System in Spain
The Restoration:
The Figure of Cánovas:
Alfonso XII ratified Cánovas del Castillo as President of the Council of Ministers. The implemented political system was one of the most stable in contemporary Spain. It satisfied the longing for peace and fostered institutional consolidation, legal regulation, and a flourishing cultural life. It ended the Carlist War and achieved a stable peace, even though the Cuban conflict had lasted for 10 years.
Cánovas was born in Malaga. He served as chief of staff to General O’Donnell and participated in the 1854 revolution and the drafting of the Manifesto of Manzanares. He also began publishing his historical studies of Spain. He stayed out of the 1868 revolution.
In 1873, he took over the cause of Prince Alfonso, who had abdicated. Cánovas’ political strategy consisted of uniting and appeasing liberals and democrats.
Cánovas’ Political Ideas:
The Restoration is Cánovas’ work. His ideas were rooted in the Spanish moderate tradition, drawing inspiration from O’Donnell’s Liberal Union. Cánovas was familiar with French liberal doctrines, advocating for tempered liberalism and compromise. He was also influenced by the respect for historical continuity found in English liberalism.
With these ideas, Cánovas established a political regime focused on governmental stability. This resonated with the desire for peace in the country after the turbulent period of the “Sexenio Democrático” (Six-Year Democracy). Cánovas’ ideas were reinforced by his historical studies, particularly his focus on the decline of the Spanish monarchy from the 17th century. Combined with his political experience, he believed that the failure of political life during the reign of Isabella II was due to the exclusiveness of the parties. This had made the alternation of power impossible and pushed marginalized sectors to revolt, leading to excessive military interference in politics and the politicization of the army.
- Reconciling political groups.
- Alternating governance between them.
- European-style moderate liberalism.
- Respect for tradition and progress (Consensus).
- Civilian control over the military.
- Bourbon Restoration under Alfonso XII and the moderating role of the king.
- Flexibility in opinions and decisions.
- Bipartisanship.
The Political System:
Cánovas devised a system that seemed most consistent with the history of the country. He believed in a “domestic constitution” based on understanding between the monarchy and the Courts. He aimed to continue the history of Spain, which he saw as represented by the revival of the monarchy in Alfonso XII.
To ensure the system’s success, a new constitution was needed, accepted by all and guaranteeing security. This constitution would establish an alternation between two main political parties, similar to the British system.
Such a system would prevent military interference and ensure the dominance of civilian values. The king would interpret public opinion and facilitate the alternation of parties. This was a delicate task, and the success of the system depended on the king’s prudence and wisdom. The system reflected Cánovas’ pragmatic approach to politics, which he implemented with both decisiveness and flexibility.
Signs of Bipartisanship:
Cánovas sought to articulate his system through parties that shared respect for individual political freedoms and the maintenance of social order. Outside his project were, on the right, the most conservative and Carlists, and on the left, radicals and Republicans.
Cánovas’ first battle was to gain acceptance for the new constitution. Some, particularly those who had participated in the “Sexenio Democrático”, wanted to restore the more moderate 1845 constitution or maintain the democratic 1869 constitution. Cánovas believed a new, inclusive constitution was necessary. He brought together a group of political notables to draft it, and the concept of legal parties emerged.
The Task of Pacification:
The campaign against the Carlists intensified. Alfonso XII himself intervened on the Basque-Navarrese front, strengthening his image as a warrior king, which Cánovas promoted. The Carlist pretender, Charles VII, left Spain for France. This marked the end of the Third Carlist War.
The desire for peace extended to Cuba, particularly with the appointment of Martínez Campos as general. His conciliatory policies led to the capitulation of some independence fighters. The Peace of Zanjón was not accepted by all, and hostilities resumed after a short time, but peace remained on the island for over fifteen years.