Isabel II's Reign in Spain: A Historical Analysis

The Reign of Isabel II (1833-1868)

The reign of Isabel II can be divided into two main phases: her minority, with two regencies (her mother, Maria Cristina of Naples, who was soon confronted by the Carlist Wars, and General Espartero), and her majority, which went through three stages: the Moderate Decade, the Progressive Biennium, and the Liberal Union.

Regency of Maria Cristina (1833-1840)

Maria Cristina faced two major problems: war and the institutional organization of the liberal regime.

a) The Carlist Wars

The country was divided between Carlists and Isabellinos (Elizabethans). Traditionalists were loyal to Don Carlos, while those who supported Isabel had to align themselves with the liberals. The Carlist monarchists were traditionalists, while the liberals supported a constitution. Both groups fought a bloody civil war that lasted seven years.

The war ended with the Embrace of Vergara (1839), a compromise between Espartero and Maroto. Peace was signed, but the fueros, or traditional laws, remained.

b) Institutional Organization

Moderates came to power and created a Royal Statute (1834), a sort of granted charter that represented a first step toward a representative, non-absolute government.

Coexistence between moderates and progressives proved unworkable, and Isabel called the progressives to government. Their work included the confiscation of church property.

• A provision decreasing the rising price of tobacco caused unrest at the royal estate, requiring the mayor to accept the Constitution of 1837 (a compromise between the Royal Statute and the Constitution of 1812). The moderates then returned to power.

A new statement led to power, with the support of progressives and the winner of the Carlists, Espartero.

Espartero's Regency (1840-1843)

Espartero was a general with a progressive, liberal, and authoritarian disposition. He was a brave military man but a disastrous ruler.

He fell out with everyone due to his authoritarian character, and his free-market economic measures (taken from the English model) led to uprisings and revolts. Moderates and progressives came together to force him out of office, and he fled to London.

This situation accelerated the coronation of Isabel II at the age of 13. Thus began the majority of Isabel II's reign.

1. The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)

With the fall of Espartero, the reign of Isabel II began in earnest. During the first ten years of her reign, the moderates held power. Their leader, General Narváez, implemented a policy of stability with a firm hand.

The Constitution of 1845 was drafted, replacing the principle of national sovereignty with joint sovereignty between the king and the Cortes. It maintained the two houses: Senators and Representatives.

It strengthened the Catholic religion. An agreement with the Holy See declared Catholicism the sole state religion.

Political work was characterized by centralization and unification of the administrative apparatus of government. The powers of municipalities were cut. The Civil Guard was created, a new Criminal Code was enacted, the Treasury was reformed, and numerous public works were carried out.

As a result of the external climate, the revolution of 1848 was reduced to a riot in Madrid and failed due to a lack of support from progressives, a lack of popular involvement, and effective suppression by Narváez.

2. The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)

Liberals, dissatisfied with moderate elements, led the 1854 revolution, which began with a military uprising in Vicálvaro, known as "the Vicalvarada." This event brought fame to General O'Donnell and saw the reappearance of Espartero, called back by Isabel II.