The Parliament of Cádiz and the 1812 Constitution

The Parliament of Cádiz

Local governments (juntas) were created in many areas to organize resistance. Later, the Junta Central Suprema was formed. In 1810, the Junta Central called a constituent parliament, which met in Cádiz, the only city not occupied by French troops.

• Liberal deputies: The majority.
• Absolutist deputies: The minority.
• Deputies of the Americas: Concerned with the problems of the territories.

The Parliament of Cádiz produced the Constitution of 1812, the first Spanish constitution. It established that all people were equal before the law and marked the end of the Old Regime.

Principles of the 1812 Constitution

• National Sovereignty: Power belonged to the nation and was exercised by representatives.
• Parliamentary Monarchy.
• Separation of Powers:
  • Legislative: Held by the monarch and the parliament; deputies were elected by universal male suffrage.
  • Executive: Held by the monarch, who appointed ministers, managed foreign relations, declared war, and signed peace treaties.
  • Judicial: Held by independent courts.
• Religion: Catholicism was the only religion in Spain.

The Absolutist Decade

During this period, the treasury was empty, and the loss of most American colonies made matters worse. Liberals were persecuted, with between 15,000 and 20,000 forced into exile, though they continued to carry out various uprisings.

Dynastic Succession and the Carlist Wars

A crisis emerged regarding dynastic succession. In Spain, the Ley Sálica was in force, which prevented women from reigning. As Fernando VII did not have any sons, the Pragmatic Sanction was enacted on March 29, 1830, which repealed the Ley Sálica. This allowed his daughter, Isabel (born in 1830), to reign.

Many absolutists did not support this and instead backed Fernando VII's brother, Carlos de Borbón. When Fernando VII died in 1833, his widow, Queen María Cristina, took over as regent. Carlos de Borbón declared himself King of Spain, leading to the First Carlist War (1833–1839).

• Liberals: Supported the future Queen Isabel and defended a centralized regime.
• Carlists: Favored absolutism, a return to the Old Regime, and the continuance of local charters (fueros).

The liberals won the war, which ended with the Abrazo de Vergara. The Carlists and liberals would fight again in two more wars later in the 19th century.

El Tigre del Maestrazgo

Ramón Cabrera, known as "El Tigre del Maestrazgo," was a famous Carlist leader during the First Carlist War. Born in 1806, he gained fame for his bravery and ferocity in battle. Cabrera was one of the most effective Carlist commanders, winning several battles in the Maestrazgo region. His aggressive tactics made him a legend but earned him many enemies. Despite his skills, he was exiled after the war and died in 1877.