Reign of Ferdinand VII: Absolutism, Liberal Triennium, and the Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis
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Ferdinand VII: Restoration of Absolutism (1814-1820)
Following French defeats, Napoleon abandoned the war in Spain, restoring Ferdinand VII to the throne via the Treaty of Valençay. This treaty stipulated British forces leave Spain and that Ferdinand VII refrain from reprisals against Joseph I's supporters. However, Ferdinand ignored this, persecuting Joseph's collaborators and liberals. "The Desired" returned to a triumphant Spain, where General Elio offered support to restore absolute power. One hundred deputies, known as the "Serviles," presented the "Manifesto of the Persians," urging the king to reclaim his authority and annul liberal legislation from the Cortes of Cádiz.
With this backing, Ferdinand VII declared the Cortes' actions unlawful, restoring absolute rule. Liberals were deemed traitors, facing death sentences. During this period, liberalism lacked popular support, and numerous failed insurrections marked this era of exile and repression.
Ferdinand VII: The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
After failed uprisings to restore the 1812 constitution, Lieutenant General Rafael del Riego, en route to Cádiz with troops bound for America, proclaimed the constitution and reinstated officials from the Cortes of Cádiz. While the uprising lacked widespread support, it also faced little opposition. The king, with limited options, swore to uphold the constitution, becoming Europe's first constitutional monarch, albeit briefly.
Public opinion, particularly in cities, gained significance during this revolution. While formal political parties didn't exist, distinct political leanings emerged.
In the capital, Riego and liberal leaders formed the Provisional Governing Junta, including representatives from the clergy, nobility, and army to integrate these powerful sectors. This conciliatory approach towards Ferdinand VII's supporters divided early Spanish liberalism:
- The "Doceanistas" (moderates) hoped the king would respect the constitution and favored concessions to privileged sectors.
- The "Exaltados" opposed concessions, distrusting the king's constitutional loyalty. They resisted attempts to restore Ferdinand VII's absolute power, such as the Royal Guard's revolt in 1822.
The Liberal government reinstated measures from 1812, enacting legislation to dismantle the absolute regime. However, their support was limited. Many farmers opposed changes to traditional life, resisting, for example, paying taxes and rents in currency.
Given the government's weakness, the king sought foreign support. The Holy Alliance (a coalition of European absolute monarchies) dispatched an army—"The Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis"—to restore Ferdinand VII's absolute power. The 1823 invasion faced no resistance from the Spanish army. Ferdinand VII regained full authority, initiating another wave of persecution and executions of liberals.