Regencies in Spain (1833-1843): Maria Cristina and Espartero

Regencies in Spain (1833-43)

A) Regency of Maria Cristina (1833-1840)

Maria Cristina ascended to the throne in 1833 as regent for her three-year-old daughter, Isabella II. To secure the throne for her daughter and counter the Carlists (supporters of the Infante Don Carlos), she initially sought support from moderate liberals.

• Cea Bermúdez government: Administrative reforms, including dividing Spain into 49 provinces.
• Martinez de la Rosa government: Liberal reforms, resulting in the Royal Statute of 1834 with a bicameral system (Estamento de Próceres and Estamento de Procuradores). This period was marked by a cholera epidemic.
• Count of Toreno government: Moderate liberal policies, expulsion of the Jesuits, and suppression of monasteries with fewer than 12 members.
• Juan Álvarez Mendizábal government: Transition to full liberalism, including the Desamortización (confiscation of church property) in 1835 to finance the Carlist War and reform the army and justice system.
• Javier de Istúriz government: Moderate government that faced opposition from progressive factions.

Progressive uprisings led to the restoration of the 1812 Constitution. A new constitution was drafted in 1837, establishing national sovereignty, a bicameral parliament, and the National Militia. Moderate governments from 1837 to 1840 slowed reforms, leading to Maria Cristina's downfall.

Moderates favored restricted suffrage, centralized power, protectionism, and limited press freedom, while respecting the Church. Progressives supported national sovereignty, stronger local power, free trade, and freedom of religion.

B) Espartero Regency (1840-1843)

The conflict between the Moderates (Maria Cristina) and Progressives (Espartero) escalated. Espartero, a supporter of free trade, implemented tariff reductions, causing riots in Barcelona and ultimately leading to his downfall. Maria Cristina lost the regency in the summer of 1843 and went into exile in England. Isabella II was declared of age at 13.

Carlism

Carlism was a movement primarily based in the Basque Provinces, Navarre, Catalonia, and Aragon. Its main tenets were:

• Defense of traditional privileges and order.
• Social base: Peasants, clergy, and lower nobility.
• Phases:
  • Leadership of Zumalacárregui.
  • Expansion of the war outside traditional areas (Cádiz and Madrid in 1837).
  • Internal division and the Convenio de Vergara, which maintained some privileges and ranks within the army.