19th Century Spanish History: Key Figures and Events

Key Figures of 19th Century Spain

• Joseph Bonaparte: King of Spain while Napoleon ruled.
• Duke of Wellington: An English general who defeated the French in Spain.
• Manuel Godoy: He was a Spanish politician and Prime Minister of Charles IV.
• Simón Bolívar: A Venezuelan general who led the independence movement.
• Carlos V: He was Isabella II's uncle who wanted to rule Spain.
• José de San Martín: Argentine general.
• Ramón María Narváez: Spanish politician who led the Moderate Party.
• Amadeo of Savoy: He was King of Spain between 1870 and 1873.
• Baldomero Espartero: A Spanish general and politician who led the Progressive Party.
• Antonio Cánovas del Castillo: Spanish politician who founded and led the Conservative Party.

Historical Facts and Developments

• Serrano was Prime Minister of Spain and Regent in 1868–1869.
• Riego started a mutiny demanding the return of the 1812 Constitution.
• The textile factories developed mainly in Catalonia.
• Bolívar was a Venezuelan general.
• Joseph I was the only King of Spain from the House of Bonaparte.
• The Spanish subsoil is rich in mineral deposits, such as copper and lead.
• Wellington defeated French armies.
• O'Donnell founded the Liberal Union.
• Mariana Pineda was a liberal who embroidered an antimonarchist flag.
• Vizcaya lacked coal and had to import it by sea.
• Cánovas restored Spain's Bourbon dynasty.
• The railroad developed in Spain unsuccessfully.
• Pablo Iglesias founded the Socialist Workers' Party.
• Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader.
• Figueras was President of the First Spanish Republic.
• The USA declared war in 1898 when an American boat sank.
• The movement claiming the Catalan language and culture supported the creation of political parties such as Unió Catalanista.
• The Spanish population grew slower than the European average.
• General Cabrera led the bands of Don Carlos in Catalonia and Aragon.

Industrial Challenges in Spain

Problems of the industry included: the population's low purchasing power, lack of investment and lack of gentry, transport problems caused by the delay of the railroad, the shortage of energy sources, and the remote location of Spain compared to most industrialized countries.

Major Historical Eras and Crises

• The Crisis of '98
• Nationalism (Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia)
• The Cánovas System (Conservative and Liberal Party)
• The First Republic (1873–1874)
• The Democratic Monarchy (1870–1873)
• The Revolution of 1868
• The Moderate Decade (1843–1853)
• The Liberal Revolution (1833–1843)
• The War of Independence (1804–1814)