Maria Cristina's Regency: Spanish Political Shifts (1833-1840)
The Regency of Maria Cristina (1833–1840/43)
Maria Christina became regent to govern on behalf of her minor daughter, Elizabeth II. She entered into a pact with the Liberal government led by Martinez de la Rosa.
The Royal Charter of 1834
The Royal Charter introduced in 1834 had the following characteristics:
- Sovereignty resided in the King (soberanía regia).
- There was no separation of powers or declaration of rights.
- The courts were bicameral.
- It was a charter granted by the monarch.
- The King appointed the council of ministers.
Socioeconomic Reforms and Conflicts
Measures were also established that:
- Abolished the feudal system.
- Introduced freedom of contract in agriculture.
- Decoupled primogeniture (entailment).
- Abolished guilds.
- Initiated disentailments (sale of communal and church lands).
The bourgeoisie and nobles became wealthy by purchasing land. However, the issue of territorial dominion was resolved in 1837 in favor of the nobility. The biggest losers of this era were the clergy and the working classes.
Secularization was completed in 1855 with the Madoz Law, which auctioned off church goods, as well as the lands of municipalities and communities.
Political Instability and the Carlist War
The government's refusal to launch a new progressive program led to discontent. This resulted in the Pronouncement of La Granja (1836), where the Constitution of Cadiz (1812) was proclaimed. The Constitution of 1837, which followed, was characterized by:
- National sovereignty.
- Division of powers.
- Bicameral courts.
- Census suffrage.
- Declaration of Rights.
- Preservation of executive power in the monarch.
- Budgeting for the clergy.
- A progressive ideology.
The First Carlist War (1834–1839)
The Queen's refusal to accept the Council Law of 1840 caused a riot and the withdrawal of Maria Christina, who was replaced by Espartero (Progressive). Maria Christina was reluctant to leave the throne, leading to a civil war between her supporters (Liberals) and Espartero's supporters (Progressives), known as the Carlist War.
Carlist Factions and Phases
Carlism defended charters and tradition (the return of the Ancient Regime, AR). Their bases were heterogeneous, as the peasantry tended to identify with the God-King-Country concept. The lower clergy remained with Isabel despite secularization, while the lower nobility leaned toward the Liberals.
The war developed in three phases:
- Fortification and installation (1833–1835).
- Extension of the war across national territory (1835–1837).
- Crisis, the Convention of Vergara (1839).
Carlism reappeared on two other occasions during the nineteenth century. Espartero and the Progressives won this war.
Espartero's Regency (1840–1843)
Espartero's rule began in 1840 and lasted until 1843. He faced several problems, such as the revolt of Diego de León and the uprising in Barcelona. Espartero became unsupported, leading to his exile. Thus began the reign of Elizabeth II, whose objective was to maintain order and centralization.