Cánovas del Castillo and the 1876 Spanish Constitution

The Spanish Constitution of 1876

Background

The 1876 Spanish Constitution was drafted during the Restoration period following the abdication of King Amadeo I. Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, a prominent conservative politician, played a key role in its creation. The Constitution aimed to establish a stable constitutional monarchy after a period of political instability.

Key Features

Constitutional Monarchy and Political Parties

The Constitution established a constitutional monarchy, with the king as head of state. It recognized the role of political parties, which were to be based on the principle of being official. This marked a shift from the previous period of personal rule.

Suffrage and Citizen Participation

The Constitution introduced a limited form of suffrage known as censo suffrage, which restricted voting rights to a small percentage of the population (around 5%). This effectively excluded a large portion of the population from political participation.

Political Class and Parliament

The political class was primarily composed of influential members of the bourgeoisie, including high-ranking civil servants, military officers, and landowners. The parliament, known as the Cortes, played a significant role in the political system, with the majority of seats held by conservatives and liberals.

Legislative Power and Centralism

The Constitution granted significant legislative power to the Cortes. It also established a centralized administrative system, with the government exerting strong control over the provinces and municipalities. This marked a departure from the previous system of greater regional autonomy.

Promulgation and Legacy

The Constitution was promulgated on June 30, 1876, and remained in force until 1931. It played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Spain during the Restoration period, establishing a framework for a constitutional monarchy and a system of limited political participation. The Constitution's emphasis on centralism and its limited suffrage provisions, however, also contributed to social and political tensions that would eventually lead to its demise.