Ferdinand VII and the Rise of Absolutism in Spain

Restoration of Absolutism under Ferdinand VII

Ferdinand VII returned to power through the Royal Decree of May 4, 1814, which annulled the Constitution and laws of Cádiz, marking a return to absolutism. Simultaneously, the Congress of Vienna worked to restore the old order in Europe, establishing the Holy Alliance to guarantee the defense of absolutist regimes and the right of intervention in any country.

Ferdinand VII faced the monumental task of rebuilding a nation shattered by war. The country suffered from several critical issues:

• Paralyzed trade and agricultural decline.
• National financial bankruptcy.
• Colonies fighting for their independence.
• A high number of human and material losses that left farmers ruined.

The Liberal Triennium: 1820 to 1823

On January 1, 1820, Rafael del Riego and his soldiers revolted in Andalusia, proclaiming the Constitution of 1812. This liberal action forced Ferdinand VII to accept the Constitution on March 10. The subsequent election results favored the liberals, who restored many reforms from the Cádiz era. However, Ferdinand VII secretly sought to regain absolute power through external absolutist powers.

During this period, peasant discontent grew as new measures failed to provide relief, leading to anti-liberal agitation. The liberal movement eventually split into two distinct factions:

• Moderates: Supporters of limited reforms that protected the interests of social elites.
• Exalted: Advocates for radical reforms benefiting the middle and popular classes.

The Ominous Decade and the Loss of Colonies

In April 1823, approximately 100,000 French soldiers entered Spain to restore Ferdinand VII as an absolute monarch. Although international powers suggested moderate reforms, an amnesty, and an efficient administration to stabilize the monarchy, Ferdinand VII rejected these requests in favor of harsh repression against liberals. It was during this decade that Spain definitively lost its American colonies.

Dynastic Conflict and the First Carlist War

In 1830, the birth of Isabella, the King's daughter, triggered a succession crisis. While the Salic Law traditionally prevented women from ascending the throne, Ferdinand VII—influenced by his wife, Maria Cristina—promulgated the Pragmatic Sanction to ensure his daughter's succession.

The Carlists opposed this change, supporting the King's brother, Carlos María Isidro, as the rightful heir. Following Ferdinand VII's death in 1833, Maria Cristina was appointed Queen Regent until Isabella reached maturity. Carlos was proclaimed King by his supporters, sparking an insurrection and the beginning of the First Carlist War.