The Restoration of Alfonso XII and the 1876 Constitution
Alfonso XII and the Restoration: The Cánovas System
The Cánovas Political System
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was one of the most significant politicians in Spanish history. Linked to O'Donnell's Liberal Union, he drafted key manifestos and ruled Spain from 1874 to 1881 and from 1883 to 1885, until the death of Alfonso XII. He was eventually assassinated by an anarchist.
In 1870, he summoned the courts under existing laws, gathering notable figures to draft the 1876 Constitution, which established:
- A constitutional or parliamentary monarchy.
- Shared sovereignty between the King and the National Courts.
- A bicameral system consisting of the Senate and the Congress.
This remains the longest-standing constitution in Spanish history, facilitating a bipartisan system where the Conservative Party (Cánovas) and the Liberal Party (Sagasta) peacefully took turns in power.
The 1876 Constitution
The constitution aimed for a national rather than partisan character. Key features included:
- Religion: Catholicism was established as the official state religion, while allowing limited freedom of worship.
- Government: A parliamentary monarchy where sovereignty was shared by the King and the Cortes.
- Royal Power: The King held veto power and could directly participate in the creation or dissolution of the courts.
- Suffrage: Established based on census suffrage.
The Reign of Alfonso XII
Alfonso XII gained popularity after ending the Carlist Wars and the conflict in Cuba by granting it, along with Puerto Rico, the status of a province. His reign was characterized by centralization and legal codification, including the Civil, Commercial, and Judicial Codes, as well as the removal of the Basque fueros. Following his short reign, his wife, Maria Cristina, served as regent.
The Turno Party System
The Turno system was not based on popular vote; instead, the King decided which party would govern, calling elections and forging the necessary majorities. This process involved:
- Electoral Falsification: The system relied on fraud and conspiracy.
- The Cacique: A local figure who used their social status to influence neighbors and ensure electoral results.
Democracy was effectively parodied under this system, which reached its peak effectiveness during the regency of Maria Cristina until Alfonso XIII came of age.
The Loss of the Colonies
The loss of the colonies represented a major failure for Spain, halting the import of raw materials like cotton for the Catalan industry. The Treaty of Paris marked the peace agreement with the United States, resulting in the loss of Cuba and the Philippines, which signaled the end of the Restoration era.