Political Transformation and Liberalism in 19th Century Spain

Key Concepts of 19th Century Spanish Politics

Cantonalist Uprising: This was an insurrection involving various cantons or administrative units, such as municipalities, which demanded greater autonomy.

Cacique: A person in a town or region who exerted influence on political affairs. Generally, these individuals gave work to laborers in exchange for their votes.

Public Debt: This refers to the debt emitted by a country's State to meet the shortfall between income and expenditure.

The Construction of the Liberal State

During the reign of Isabella II, a liberal monarchy was introduced. It was characterized by:

• The existence of a Constitution.
• The separation of powers.
• The coexistence of two liberal political parties: the Liberals and the Moderates.

As the Queen was a minor during the start of her reign, there were stages where different groups alternated power, specifically the Progressives and the Moderates.

The Regency Period (1833-1843)

During this time, the country was ruled by regents (people who rule in place of the monarch). The first was the Queen Mother and Regent, Maria Cristina. During her mandate, the policy changed from absolutism to liberalism due to two very important facts:

• The Carlist War: This concluded with a Liberal victory. The Vergara Agreement was signed, where the Liberals agreed to respect the fueros of Navarra and the Basque Country.
• Secularization (1835/36-1837): Land and other properties of the Church were expropriated to reduce the public debt (which was not fully achieved) and to make the land more productive for export.

Clashes between Moderates and Progressives led to a Progressive pronunciamiento, resulting in the Constitution of 1837. Maria Cristina left her position as Regent, and General Espartero took over. Although he held progressive ideas, he ruled in an authoritarian manner until Isabella II reached the age of majority at 13 years old.

The Reign of Isabella II (1843-1868)

During this stage, Moderate and Progressive governments rotated again. There were three main periods:

• The Moderate Decade (1844-1854).
• The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856).
• The alternation of power between the Moderates and the Liberal Union.

The Revolutionary Sexennium (1868-1874)

Following the departure of Isabella II after the Glorious Revolution, a provisional government was formed. This government called for elections to the Courts, which adopted the Constitution of 1869. This was a constitution for a constitutional monarchy. However, having no king, they sought out the Italian Amadeo I.

Amadeo I could not maintain the throne for several reasons: opposition from Republicans, the Carlists, monarchists, and the colonial conflict in Cuba. He eventually resigned, leading to the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic (1873-1874). In December 1874, a military coup resulted in the restoration of King Alfonso XII.