Amadeo I's Reign and the First Spanish Republic: 1870-1874

The Reign of Amadeo I of Spain (1870-1873)

In 1869, a new form of government was established in Spain: a constitutional monarchy. One inherent difficulty in this regime change was finding a suitable king, as Spain at that time was impoverished and troubled. The search focused on a Catholic and democratic candidate. Eventually, they found their monarch in the person of the Duke of Aosta, Amadeo de Savoie, son of the King of Italy. Amadeo possessed the desired qualities: he hailed from an ancient dynasty linked to Spain, was a progressive Catholic, and even a Freemason, with the Pope's secret license reconciling religion and Freemasonry. Amadeo was the first King of Spain elected by a Parliament, which seemed, not without historical reason, a crime of lèse-majesté for traditional monarchists. On November 16, 1870, the members voted. He faced systematic rejection from Carlists and Republicans, each for reasons connected to their interests. He was also opposed by the aristocracy, who saw him as an outsider, the Church, for supporting confiscations, and the people, due to his inability to learn the Spanish language. A committee traveled to Florence to inform the Duke, who officially accepted the election on December 4, shortly after embarking for Spain.

While Amadeo I traveled to Madrid to take up his appointment, General Juan Prim, his main supporter, was assassinated in a bombing on December 27, 1870, on Turk Street in Madrid.

End of Reign

Amadeo faced significant difficulties due to Spain's political instability. His two-year reign saw six different ministries, and an attempt was made on his life on July 19, 1872. The poor king, overwhelmed by the complications of Spanish politics and completely fed up, resigned on his own initiative at noon on February 11, 1873, rather than formally abdicating. He left Madrid without waiting a minute. The reason for this resignation was a combination of factors, problems, and excuses, and his final decision was that he could not bear it alone in front of the country.

The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)

Following the resignation of Amadeo of Savoy, the courts, by majority vote in February 1873, proclaimed the Republic as the new system of government, although most deputies were monarchists. This was chosen to overcome the crisis of the previous government. The proclamation of the Republic was received with great enthusiasm by the popular classes, who hoped for improvements in their situation, including the elimination of the draft (due to the Third Carlist War and the war in Cuba) and taxes on staple foods. The courts appointed Estanislao Figueras as President and called new elections to the Constituent Cortes to draft a new constitution. These elections were won by Republicans.

Problems of the Republic

• The government launched a draft constitution based on a federal republic, where state powers were exercised by three institutions: the nation, regions, and municipalities. The territory was to be divided into 15 federal states, plus one for Cuba and Puerto Rico. This idea was rejected by liberal and unionist monarchists, and even by unitary Republicans, so it was never approved.
• In areas with a strong Republican presence, such as Catalonia, Valencia, Levante, and Andalusia, followers, supported by anarchist groups, proclaimed independent cantons (Cartagena, Alcoy, Valencia, Torrevieja, Granada, Seville). This created a situation of conflict and anarchy. The president himself admitted in Parliament that the government had misinterpreted his idea of federalism and resigned in June 1873.

He was replaced by F. Pi i Maragall, who refused to send the army to repress the cantons and resigned the following month. Nicolás Salmerón replaced him, authorizing the army's intervention but refusing to sign the convictions issued by the courts against the cantonalists. He also resigned.

End of the Republic

The unitary federal Republican Emilio Castelar replaced Salmerón, not applying the law harshly. However, he lacked majority support in Parliament, which began governing without him. This led to a motion of censure to discuss and vote on the government's continuity. The vote resulted in 120 deputies against and 100 in favor, leading to Emilio Castelar's resignation. General Manuel Pavia then decided to enter the Cortes with a group of civil guards on horseback and dissolved the Assembly. The unionist General Serrano was appointed head of government until December, when General Martinez Campos staged another military coup in Sagunto (Valencia), restoring the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII in December 1874.

The Constitution of 1869

• A comprehensive bill of rights, including some not recognized at the time, such as the inviolability of correspondence and the freedom to work for foreigners.
• Recognition of national sovereignty.
• The power of the king was conceived as that of a constitutional monarch.
• A secular state.
• Judicial power resided in the courts of justice.
• Municipalities and deputations were assigned the management of local interests.
• The religious issue received advanced treatment, recognizing freedom of religion.