18th & 19th Century Spanish History & Politics

Key Concepts and Events

Nueva Planta Decrees

After the War of the Spanish Succession, Philip V approved these decrees, replacing existing laws and institutions in the Crown of Aragon. This consolidated power under the monarchy.

Land Ownership

• Manos Muertas (Mortmain): Land owned by the Church and religious orders, which could not be sold.
• Mayorazgos: Land owned by noble families, inherited entirely by the firstborn son.
• Realengos: Land owned by the king.

Economic Developments

Domestic Trade: Initially hindered by internal customs and poor road conditions. The Bourbons invested in infrastructure and created the intendente role to organize provincial economies.

The Catastro: A comprehensive registry of rural and urban properties.

Royal Factories: Grand factories established by the monarchy.

Political Upheavals

Juntas de Defensa & Junta Central: Formed to organize resistance against France during the Peninsular War. The Junta Central served as the government.

Trienio Liberal (1820-1823): An unstable period marked by conflict between moderate (doceañistas) and radical (exaltados) liberals.

Década Ominosa (1823-1833): A decade of reactionary, anti-liberal, and conservative policies under Ferdinand VII. The Inquisition was reinstated, and universities were closed.

Década Moderada (1844-1854): A conservative period that marginalized progressives and suppressed the Democratic Party. The Bienio Progresista began in 1854 with a coup (Vicalvarada), leading to a new, unratified constitution.

Constitutional Developments

• Sovereignty: Shared between the parliament and the king.
• Parliament: An elected Congress.
• Suffrage: Not regulated by the constitution.

Political Maneuvering

Turnismo: A system where Conservatives and Liberals alternated power to prevent military uprisings.

Regenerationism: A movement advocating for political reform, including eliminating electoral fraud and improving education.