Canova's Restoration: Oligarchy, Despotism & Political Events

Canova's Restoration: Oligarchy and Despotism

Political Events (1875-1898)

In 1874, an uprising led by Martinez Campos proclaimed Alfonso XII King of Spain. The then prime minister was overruled by his officers and exiled. The day after the coup, Canovas del Castillo took over as president. He had the support of Alfonso XII, as he had written the manifesto that outlined the principles of the Sandhurst Restoration. With the entry of Alfonso XII, the Bourbon dynasty was restored in Spain.

End of the Carlist Wars

The first action Cánovas took as king was dealing with the Carlist War. While heading the king offered a broad amnesty to forget the past and adhere to the constitutional monarchy.

• Ramón Cabrera (former Carlist) accepted the amnesty and led his troops as they had no hope of victory. He received titles such as Captain General and Count de Morella.
• The end of the Carlist War came in 1876 when Charles VII was finally defeated. They did not rise up again, although its traditionalism remained in force, standing at the far right of the parliamentary spectrum.
• Cánovas repealed the exemptions for military service for the Basque Country (former provincial privileges) but enacted economic concerts by setting a quota for participation in the costs of the state.

Bipartisanship

Canovas prompted a bipartisan system based on the English model with the creation of two major parties with different criteria (always within the law, or would not accept outside the Bourbon dynasty to the Chartists and republicanism). These parties were the Conservative and Liberal (right and left within the liberal thought).

• Cánovas, leader of the Conservative Party, was made up of people from the moderate party, liberal union and a sector of the progressive party, besides the Catholic episcopate and not radical.
• Sagasta party leader who represented liberal Democrats, moderate and radical republicanism, with the support of merchants, bankers, soldiers and officials.
• The Conservative Party won the elections and therefore drafted the Constitution of 1876. With his approval, the policy was based on the peaceful alternation in power of both state.
• Bipartisanship was consolidated after the death of Alfonso XII (without issue and with his pregnant wife). So both political parties agreed to ensure the Restoration (Pact of El Pardo, 1885).
• Cánovas demonstrated his political skill by suggesting submitting his resignation to the queen regent to allow his rival, Sagasta, to take charge of forming a new government.

Foreign Policy

The regime soon became known for its foreign policy, which was interpreted as a renewed monarchy and a new political system before the Catholic sector. Success came with the pacification of Cuba, where after the Revolution of 1868, a war had begun with the Grito de Yara.

Martinez Campos was sent to the colony to combat and offered the Cubans the same rights as the Spanish with the Peace of Zanjón.