Prim's Provisional Government: Reforms, Crises, and the Election of Amadeo I (1869-1870)

Prim's Provisional Government and the Search for a King (1869-1870)

In the absence of a king, General Francisco Serrano became regent and formed the first government, composed of liberals and some Democrats. For a year and a half, comprehensive legislation was passed to implement the new Constitution. Key legislative achievements included:

• The Electoral Act
• A new Penal Code
• The Law on Judicial Power
• Municipal and Provincial Law
• The Civil Marriage Act

In the economic sphere, Laureano Figuerola initiated a significant tax reform, eliminating irrational taxes and establishing a free trade tariff. This tariff involved a gradual reduction of customs rates over six years until their total disappearance, aiming to revive the economy. However, Figuerola faced strong opposition from landowners and industrialists regarding these new arrangements. A monetary reform was also adopted to streamline the monetary system, granting the sole currency issue to the Bank of Spain. The bimetallic system was adopted, and the peseta was put into circulation as the new monetary unit.

Challenges to the New Regime: Cuba and Social Unrest

The new regime, however, had to face, from the moment of the revolution, a double crisis: the ongoing war in Cuba and widespread social upheaval. The Cuban crisis had been escalating for years, as the native population opposed the presence of peninsular sugar planters and traders, the commercial monopoly, and the increasing dependence on the U.S. market. In October 1868, a revolutionary junta led by Colonel Carlos Manuel de Céspedes revolted against the colonial government. Soon, the revolt spread, resulting in a civil war that lasted ten years. The Cuban conflict ended up mortgaging property and hindering government action in Spain, partly blocking the implementation of the reforms promised during the revolution.

Political disillusionment, persistent economic depression, and the actions of Republicans and workers resulted in a social climate of continuous turmoil. Already in 1868, there were peasant uprisings and occupations of farms in Andalusia. In September 1869, a Republican uprising broke out, supported by labor organizations, which spread through much of the country but was easily suppressed by the government.

The Difficult Search for a Monarch

Amidst such instability, Prim undertook the difficult task of finding a king. The chosen candidate needed to meet several criteria:

• Be a person of prestige
• Possess royal blood
• Not be a Bourbon
• Gain the support of the Cortes and foreign governments

Many candidates were considered:

• Ferdinand I of Coburg and Luis I of Portugal: Their claims failed due to the long-reviled question of Iberian unity in Portugal.
• The Duke of Montpensier (married to the sister of Isabella II): His candidacy was opposed by Napoleon III and was not welcomed by the Spanish monarchy, partly due to his association with Democrats and his ties to the Bourbons.
• Leopold of Hohenzollern (a German prince): He faced strong opposition from Napoleon III, who feared France would be bordered by two territories under the same dynasty. His nomination even served as a pretext for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

Finally, Prince Amadeo of Savoy, son of the King of Italy, accepted the crown, thanks in part to Prim's personal management and support. On November 16, 1870, the Cortes, by a two-thirds majority of the deputies, elected him as King Amadeo I of Spain.