The Spanish Restoration (1874-1931): A Political Overview
1. Origin and Beneficiaries of the Restoration
Motivation
The ruling elite and the army did not want to tolerate the continuation of the First Spanish Republic (which they opposed). The Republican government had failed to address the socio-economic problems of the country. International Context: Other European countries saw the rise of more conservative forms of government, partly influenced by the failure of the Paris Commune.
Statements of Martinez Campos and Pavia (December 1879)
Pavia and Martinez Campos staged a coup that paved the way for the Bourbon Restoration under Alfonso XII. Canovas del Castillo had orchestrated this event because:
- He wanted to restore the monarchy as a key institution.
- He believed that removing the constitutional monarchy was necessary to resolve the crisis in Spain.
- He desired a change from the system under Isabel II (all government changes made by Isabel II had faced opposition).
- He did not want the return of Isabel II herself.
Sandhurst Manifesto (1876)
Written by Canovas del Castillo and signed by Alfonso XII, the Sandhurst Manifesto became a symbol of the Restoration. It promised that Spain’s problems would be resolved through a hereditary monarchy, accepting a liberal-conservative ideology with elements from progressive liberalism. It implied that the army would be subordinate to the state and aimed to eliminate most progressive sectors.
Beneficiaries
- Dominant Landowning Elite: They were reassured of their social class and privileges related to land ownership.
- Catalan Industrial and Merchant Bourgeoisie: They accepted the change in exchange for protectionist laws and the suppression of the labor movement. They wanted a stable government to negotiate with.
- Ruling Classes: They benefited from the political stability.
Affected
The lower classes were suppressed (workers’ associations were banned, and the Republican opposition faced repression).
Features
The system was dominated by the elite, differentiating it from previous Spanish liberal periods. The state consolidated itself as conservative and centralist. Initially, there was a limited voting system, but when universal male suffrage was introduced in 1890, a series of electoral manipulations ensured that it did not function effectively.
2. The Political System of the Restoration
The system was based on the alternation of two parties: the Conservatives and the Liberals. This alternation was controlled through electoral fraud, which became evident after the introduction of universal male suffrage in 1890.
2.1. Turnismo
The system relied on two large dynastic parties: the Conservatives, led by Canovas del Castillo, and the Liberals, led by Sagasta. They took turns in power. When one party faced problems and its position weakened, the King would dissolve the parliament and ask the opposition party to form a government. The elections were always won by the party that called them.
The Conservative party brought together moderates from the Isabeline era and some liberal members of the Union Liberal. The Liberal party included members of the former Progressive Party, some constitutionalists, and possibilists from Castelar’s time.
These parties had strong links with certain sectors of society. Political leaders maintained clientelist networks, rewarding their supporters when the party won elections. Maintaining the unity of the different factions within each party was crucial. Canovas and Sagasta were strong leaders, and the parties faced difficulties in maintaining strong leadership after their deaths.
The Conservative party was formed first. After Canovas’ death, the main leaders were Silvela, Maura (who tried to end clientelism), and Dato. The Liberal party consolidated and formed a government in 1881. After Sagasta’s death, the most important leader was Canalejas, who advocated for greater autonomy for Catalonia.
From 1876 to 1898, there were 10 elections. The Conservatives won 6 and the Liberals won 4.
Other Parties
- Republicans: Federalists (Pi i Maragall), Possibilists (integrated into the Liberal party), and moderate Republicans (Alejandro Lerroux, a populist with anticlerical rhetoric who allied with the conservative right).
- Carlists: Defeated militarily in 1876, they reorganized in the Basque Country and Navarre. From 1890 onwards, they experienced internal divisions.
- Labor Movements: The 1881 law allowed the formation of workers’ associations. The Spanish Regional Federation of Workers (anarchist) was organized by Lorenzo. The UGT (1888) and the PSOE (1879) were founded by Pablo Iglesias.
- Intellectuals: Unamuno, Pio Baroja, and others called for the democratization and modernization of the system.
- Catalan and Basque Nationalists: They emerged during this period.
2.2. Encasillado
The Minister of the Interior was in charge of the encasillado, a list of candidates who should be elected in each district. The allocation of candidacies was a form of patronage. Many deputies were known as cuneros (they registered in districts where they did not actually reside).
Electoral Fraud
Electoral fraud included using the votes of deceased people, manipulating vote counts, and stuffing ballot boxes.
2.3. Caciquismo
Caciquismo and the Ministry of Governance were the two main pillars of electoral manipulation. Caciques were individuals or families who, due to their economic or social power, controlled a constituency (a region or a village). They acted as intermediaries between the political power and the people, wielding significant influence. They were often prominent figures (landowners, lawyers, doctors, priests) who could manipulate the population (by facilitating or hindering bureaucratic procedures, managing land ownership, influencing employment, etc.).
The introduction of universal male suffrage in 1890 made caciques even more necessary. In cities, it was more difficult to control the population, and therefore universal male suffrage was more genuine.
3. Constitution of 1876
The Constitution of 1876 was the longest-lasting constitution in Spanish history. It remained in force until 1923 and was briefly reinstated in 1930. It was established 18 months after the coup by Pavia and Martinez Campos and was a key element of the Restoration.
Characteristics
: character conservador.sintenta establish a socio-political system that Lord had to be strong, where the civil governors were given instructions to maintain public order. Strong at the institutional level. It means maintaining the ruling classes with lesperit of the Constitution of 1869 and freedoms but adding some elements of type progressista.Sobirania the king and the courts, shared sovereignty, not dun own liberal state. Does a middle between a liberal state and the rights of Lantic regime. Very mixed and ambiguous so that it can be interpreted in different ways. Express a broad class concenci between politics (government isabel). Diniciativa King right now and right veto.te executive power and acts in power legislatiu.el king can choose senators, the Senate president, dissolved parliament or closed parliamentary session (now latribucio dintervenir in succecio crown, the Regency and the minority has dedat.hi successor to right (large despanya), elected for life, and other suffrage sensatari.2 chambers, the senate and parliament. religious tolerance, cooked pork was defined as a Catholic confessional state. Lesglesia now many privileges
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