19th Century Political Transformations in Spain and America

Political Shifts in 19th-Century Spain

Stability was achieved in Spain, and the peseta became the country’s official currency. In December 1874, another military uprising occurred. This brought the restoration of the monarchy, the return of the Bourbon dynasty, and the end of the First Republic.

North America: Expansion and Conflict

In North America, the United States consolidated itself as a sovereign nation and established its definitive borders. The arrival of many immigrants from Europe encouraged the United States to expand westwards and reach the Pacific coast. This expansion led to conflicts and wars with Native Americans, which resulted in the destruction of many tribes.

The northern states were hostile towards slavery, which still existed in the southern states. The southern states felt threatened by this, and their fear that slavery would be abolished was the main cause of the American Civil War (1861–1865). The war was won by the northern states, and slavery was abolished. After the war, universal manhood suffrage was established, granting male citizens of all ethnic backgrounds the right to vote.

Latin America: The Struggle for Independence

During the reign of Fernando VII, the Spanish colonies in Central and South America began to demand independence. Several factors contributed to the emergence of these revolutionary movements:

• External Influence: The independence of the United States, the French Revolution, and the Spanish War of Independence encouraged Spanish American colonies to fight for their freedom.
• Economic Interests: To break Spain’s trade monopoly, Great Britain offered economic support to the revolutionaries.
• Social Tensions: The Creoles (Criollos) of the upper-middle classes wanted more political and economic control and an end to their dependence on Spain.

In the early 19th century, military leaders such as Simón Bolívar and General José de San Martín won important victories over Spanish forces. Between 1810 and 1825, all Spanish colonies in America—except for Cuba and Puerto Rico—gained their independence. These new nations became independent republics, such as Venezuela, Argentina, and Mexico, though they soon fell under the political and economic influence of Great Britain and the United States.