The Persian Manifesto: A Call to Restore Absolutism in Spain

The Persian Manifesto: A Call to Restore Absolutism in 1814

We are looking at a letter written in 1814 by a group of absolutist deputies, who called themselves the Persians. It was addressed to King Ferdinand VII upon his return to Spain, with the aim of restoring absolutism.

The Political Climate in Spain

The confrontation between Charles IV and his son Ferdinand VII allowed Napoleon to summon both to Bayonne, where he convinced them to abdicate in his favor. He then bestowed the Spanish crown upon his brother, Joseph I, who was not accepted by the Spaniards. During his reign, Joseph I granted the citizens the Statute of Bayonne and implemented liberal measures, representing an advanced form of government. This sparked the War of Independence against the French. To confront the invaders, the Central Junta was created, effectively replacing the absent King Ferdinand VII. These Juntas realized that Spain needed revolutionary measures, leading to the drafting of the first Constitution, which included new laws. Ultimately, the French conceded defeat in the Treaty of Valençay, and the Spanish crown was returned to Ferdinand VII. Absolutists, aware of the king's imminent return, sent this letter through a group of deputies (The Persians) to persuade him to re-establish absolutism.

Ferdinand VII's Reign and the Persian's Demands

Because Ferdinand VII favored absolutism, he refused to implement the Cadiz Constitution and abolished all previous reforms, thus restoring the absolutist Old Regime. At this time, the Persians offered him their cooperation. They supported the Absolutist Monarchy, believing it to be divinely ordained. Consequently, they sought to dismantle the work of the Cadiz Courts. To achieve this, they proposed the removal of the Constitution, the elimination of the Liberal Courts, and the reconvening of the traditional advisory Courts. In essence, they advocated for the restoration of the Old Regime. These demands were conveyed through this letter.

Consequences and the Trienio Liberal

This text had a significant impact at the time, as it facilitated the re-establishment of absolutism. Ferdinand VII maintained the absolutist regime for six years. During this period, some military personnel staged *pronunciamientos* in an attempt to force the king to change his policies, but they failed. However, one *pronunciamiento* was successful: that of Riego, who compelled the king to accept the 1812 Constitution. As a result, the government transitioned into a Constitutional Monarchy (liberalism) for the next three years. Subsequently, some absolutist powers (Austria, Russia, France, etc.) and the Holy Alliance reached an agreement at the Congress of Vienna to restore absolutism and the Old Regime. This brought an end to the three-year liberal period, and Ferdinand VII repealed all related legislation. The repression of liberals culminated in an absolutist decade.

The Pragmatic Sanction and Succession

Towards the end of his life, Ferdinand VII initially accepted his brother, Charles Maria Isidro, as his heir instead of his daughter, Isabel, because women were traditionally barred from the throne. However, while his wife was pregnant, Ferdinand VII defied the law and allowed women to inherit the crown through the Pragmatic Sanction. When Isabella was born, Charles was removed from the line of succession, and the king reaffirmed his daughter's right to the regency. He sought to ensure Isabella's future as regent and gain the support of the liberals.