Elizabeth II of Spain: Regency, Politics & Revolution (1833-1868)

Reign of Elizabeth II of Spain (1833-1868)

The Regency (1833-1843)

Following the death of Fernando VII, his daughter Elizabeth II inherited the throne at just three years old. Her mother, Maria Cristina de Borbón, assumed the regency. The outbreak of the First Carlist War forced the Regent to rely on the Liberals to secure the throne for her daughter. The Liberals advocated for a constitutional monarchy but were divided:

• Moderate Liberals defended: shared sovereignty between the Cortes (Parliament) and the King, suffrage based on very restricted census qualifications, legal equality, a confessional Catholic state, centralism, and the monarch retaining significant powers.
• Progressive Liberals defended: national sovereignty residing in the nation, accountability and limited powers for the Crown, equality before the law, religious tolerance, disentailment (desamortización) of Church and municipal properties, and an extension of freedoms and rights.

Moderates and Progressives alternated in power during the regency. When the Progressives gained power, they often lost support quickly. Maria Cristina's rule ended with an uprising led by the Moderate general, Narváez, although it was the Progressive General Espartero who initially took over the regency before being ousted himself. Isabel was declared legally of age early, beginning her personal rule.

Effective Reign of Elizabeth II (1843-1868)

General Narváez's pronunciamiento ended the regency of Espartero, leading to Elizabeth II being declared of age ahead of time. The Moderates governed for most of her reign, with the exception of the Progressive Biennium.

The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)

The Moderate Party, sustained by General Narváez, held power:

• The 1837 Constitution was repealed, and a new Constitution of 1845 was drafted, reflecting Moderate principles.
• The Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) was created in 1844.
• Administration was centralized, creating the post of civil governor (gobernador civil) in each province.
• A national, uniform education system was established.
• A new Penal Code was enacted, and work began on drafting a Civil Code.

The Second Carlist War (War of the Matiners) occurred between 1846-1849.

The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)

A military coup (pronunciamiento) in Vicálvaro, led by the centrist General O'Donnell and joined by Progressives, initiated this period. Key aspects included:

• The preparation of a new progressive constitution (known as the "non-nata" because it was never promulgated).
• The General Law of Disentailment promoted by Pascual Madoz in 1855, which primarily affected municipal lands (tierras de propios y comunes).

The Glorious Revolution (1868)

The revolution known as La Gloriosa began in Cádiz with the pronunciamiento of Admiral Topete, supported by Generals Prim (Progressive) and Serrano (Liberal Union). This event led to the overthrow and exile of Queen Elizabeth II, ending her reign.