Amadeo I of Savoy: The Collapse of the Spanish Monarchy (1871-1873)

Historical Context: The Reign of Amadeo I

Type: Political primary source (contemporary with the events described).

Author: Amadeo of Savoy. His monarchy began following the expulsion of Isabel II during the Glorious Revolution of 1868, which left Spain as a monarchy without a king. After significant difficulty in finding a successor, the throne was offered to Amadeo of Savoy, son of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy—a popular monarch known for leading the unification of Italy and establishing political liberalism. However, Amadeo faced a divided, economically backward country where the political class refused to accept him, making his planned reforms virtually impossible to implement.

Historical Period: The Sexenio Democrático (1868-1874)

Background: Amadeo ascended the throne in 1871 under extreme duress. He lacked support from Republicans, Cánovas del Castillo, and the military. His primary ally, General Prim—a leader of the 1868 Revolution—was assassinated days before Amadeo arrived in Spain. The King attempted to reconcile with the military, specifically the artillery corps, after the government suppressed their politically motivated riots. However, the Cortes vindicated the government, leaving the King without parliamentary support. This, combined with an assassination attempt, ultimately led to his abdication.

Core Themes and Political Analysis

• Internal Division: The primary issue was the fragmentation of Spanish liberalism in the late 19th century. Amadeo noted in his abdication speech that the country's true enemies were the factions more concerned with infighting and seizing power than with governing the state.
• Systemic Weakness: The liberal system desperately sought a formula for stability while various groups attempted to impose their own agendas.
• Liberal Coherence: Amadeo demonstrated integrity by recognizing that without the support of the Cortes—the body representing national sovereignty—he had no moral right to occupy the throne.
• Monarchical Crisis: The credibility of the monarchy was severely damaged following the controversial reign of Isabel II.

The Result: The abdication of Amadeo I led directly to the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic. This period proved to be ephemeral and marked by intense instability as existing tensions erupted across the nation.