The History of Carlism and the Carlist Wars in Spain

The Origins and Ideology of Carlism

Since 1834, the Carlist uprising that had erupted after the death of Fernando VII became an open civil war. Carlism was characterized by a militant anti-liberalism which denied the principle of sovereignty of the nation and defined itself in its motto: "God, country and king."

They wanted to restore the power of the church through an inclusive Catholicism and the defense of institutions and traditional privileges, particularly in the Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon, and Catalonia. These privileges, or fueros, were rights that kings had been granting to various regions, alongside the defense of traditional formalism.

The Carlist supporters of Don Carlos (self-proclaimed Charles V) were convinced that liberalism would impose new forms of social hierarchy.

Core Ideas and Support Base

• Location: Primarily rural areas, rejecting the urban-industrial society.
• Social Base: It was followed by the gentry, clergy, and peasantry whose traditions were threatened by liberalism.
• Regional Support: The regions with the most support were the Basque Country, Aragon, and the peasantry of the interior of Catalonia.

The Armed Conflict and Military Evolution

At first, the Carlist army under the command of General Tomás de Zumalacárregui (who unified the Carlist Army) won spectacular victories. Despite this, Carlism never managed to generalize beyond the conflict zones which had given strong social and institutional support. Its inferiority in numbers and arms was evident from the beginning.

The extent of the war was due, rather than to its own strength, to the vacillations of the regent, the inefficiency and divisions of the Cristina administration's army, and the conditions imposed by guerrilla warfare.

Since 1837, the evolution of the war was favorable to the liberal hosts due to better organization and unity, support from France and England, and internal Carlist divisions.

The Convention of Vergara

The Convention of Vergara, signed between Espartero and the Carlist general Rafael Maroto on August 31, 1839, ended the war. It included a promise—later unfulfilled—to maintain the Basque charters and the recognition of the jobs and degrees of Carlist army officers.

The Second and Third Carlist Wars

The Second Carlist War erupted discontinuously and lasted until 1860, primarily centered in the Catalan countryside.

The Third Carlist War began after Isabella II was driven out of Spain. This period saw the creation of a constitution stating that Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. While seeking a king, a regency was formed, headed by Serrano.