The Liberal Triennium and Ominous Decade in Spain (1820-1833)

The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

The Liberal Triennium began in 1820. Key features of this period include:

• An Interim Advisory Committee was formed to restore the liberal system.
• Elections were called for the Cortes (Parliament).
• The liberal Constitution of 1812 was reinstated.
• The Inquisition was definitively abolished.
• Constitutional, liberal city councils were restored.
• New patriotic societies and newspapers emerged, fostering public discussion.
• Liberalism became a central topic of debate, experiencing significant expansion.
• The National Militia was re-established to protect the Constitution.

The Cortes initiated a new economic recovery, aiming to reduce the Church's influence and unify the country. Liberals, however, were divided into two factions:

• Moderates: Favored an agreement with the King, granting him significant power, and supported a limited, census-based suffrage.
• Radicals (Exaltados): Advocated for a strictly limited royal power, a single-chamber legislature, and universal male suffrage. They believed the revolution should benefit the bourgeoisie and nobility.

Absolutist conspiracies were frequent between 1821 and 1822. These involved internal uprisings, often supported by the clergy and nobility, and external support from European absolutist monarchies concerned about the spread of Spanish liberalism. These powers sought to restore absolutism in Spain.

These attempts culminated in the French invasion of 1823, known as the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis. With internal support, they swiftly defeated the liberal forces and restored absolutism in Spain.

The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

Absolutism was re-established, but this decade was marked by a severe economic crisis. The government was forced to consider measures affecting certain privileges. Additionally, the issue of succession became critical, with changes needed to ensure Ferdinand VII's daughter could inherit the throne.

Key features of this decade include:

• Repression of Liberals: A harsh crackdown on liberals began.
• Tax Reform Attempts: Efforts to establish tax equality in 1825-30 were met with resistance from the privileged classes.
• Basque Provinces: The absolutist restoration led to the reinstatement of the fueros (regional privileges) in the Basque provinces. Provincial Councils gained power, and customs were moved inland. The slogan "For God, King, and Fueros" reflected the strengthening of fuerismo.
• Liberal Uprisings: Increased liberal uprisings occurred between 1826 and 1831, primarily organized from exile (e.g., Espoz y Mina in Bayonne, Torrijos from Gibraltar).
• Division among Absolutists: Absolutists split into two factions: *ultras* (hardliners) and moderates.
• Succession Crisis:
  1. The "Salic Law," which prohibited female succession, was abolished through the "Pragmatic Sanction," allowing women to inherit the crown.
  2. King Ferdinand VII initially designated his brother, Carlos Maria Isidro, as heir. However, he later named his daughter, Isabella, as his successor. The *ultras* supported Carlos.
• Liberals' Support for Isabella: Liberals supported Isabella. In 1832, during Ferdinand's illness, they were released from prison, exiled, or removed from government and university positions. Key absolutist officials in the army were also dismissed.

Upon Ferdinand VII's death in 1833, two distinct political projects and two claimants to the throne faced off: Carlos Maria Isidro, the King's brother, representing staunch absolutism (the Carlists), and Isabella, Ferdinand's daughter, supported by moderate absolutists and liberals (the Isabellinos or Cristinos).