Spain in the 19th Century: Monarchs and Revolutions

Reign of Fernando VII (1814-1833)

Key events upon his return include the Treaty of Valençay (1814) and the Decree of Valencia.

Absolutist Phase (1814-1820)

• Rejection of the Constitution of 1812 and restoration of the absolute monarchy.
• Persecution of liberals: Many were exiled to England.
• Opposition grew through secret societies like the Masons and military uprisings, such as the one led by Espoz y Mina.
• Absolutist legislation: The Inquisition was restored, church lands were no longer confiscated, and nobles regained their old privileges.
• Serious social and economic problems, combined with arbitrary acts, created widespread opposition.

Constitutional Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

• Began with Riego's coup d'état in 1820, which forced the king to accept a constitutional monarchy.
• Reforms included: suppression of the Inquisition, reduction of the tithe, freedom of the press, and the transfer of noble lands to villages.
• The Quadruple Alliance intervened with a French army, the "Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis," led by the Duke of Angoulême, to restore absolutism.

Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

• Renewed persecution of liberals.
• Severe economic and trade crisis, worsened by the emancipation of the American colonies.
• Division among absolutists into moderates and intransigents.
• The Pragmatic Sanction was enacted in 1830, abolishing the Salic Law to allow his daughter, Isabel, to inherit the throne.

Reign of Isabel II (1833-1868)

This period was marked by several military coups (pronunciamientos) and the consolidation of political parties:

• Moderate Party: led by Narváez.
• Progressive Party: led by Espartero.
• Unionist Party: led by O'Donnell.

These parties frequently introduced changes to the constitution.

Regencies (1833-1843)

Regency of María Cristina (1833-1840)

• Characterized by an alternation of power between Moderates and Progressives.
• Disentailment of Mendizábal (1836): A key Progressive reform to confiscate and sell church lands.
• The liberal Constitution of 1837 was enacted.
• The First Carlist War ended with a truce between Espartero and Maroto.

Regency of Espartero (1840-1843)

Effective Reign of Isabel II (1843-1868)

Moderate Decade (1844-1854)

Led by Narváez and Bravo Murillo, this period saw significant infrastructure projects:

• Construction of the Canal de Isabel II.
• Development of the first railway lines: Barcelona-Mataró (1848) and Madrid-Aranjuez (1851).

Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)

Initiated by a coup led by Espartero.

• Disentailment of Madoz (1855): A new law confiscating municipal and church properties.
• New laws were passed to regulate railroads and banking.

Period of O'Donnell (1856-1868)

This final stage of the reign focused heavily on foreign affairs.

September Revolution (1868)

Known as "La Gloriosa," this revolution forced Queen Isabel II into exile in France. The main causes were:

• Scandals in the queen's personal life.
• A severe economic crisis.
• Loss of political and military support.

Democratic Sexennium (1868-1874)

Provisional Government (1868-1870)

A new constitution was written in 1869, and workers' associations were legalized.

Reign of Amadeo of Savoy (1871-1873)

Chosen as the new monarch after the assassination of his main supporter, General Prim. His reign was short-lived, and he abdicated in 1873 due to:

• The death of Prim, his key backer.
• A lack of support from the upper classes.
• Opposition from political parties.
• The outbreak of the Second Carlist War in 1872.

The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)

A highly unstable period with four presidents in just eleven months: Figueras, Pi y Margall, Salmerón, and Castelar.

The Republic ended with Pavía's coup d'état in January 1874, which established a provisional government. The Sandhurst Manifesto, signed by the future Alfonso XII, paved the way for the monarchy's return. The restoration was finalized by a coup d'état led by Martínez Campos.

Bourbon Restoration: Alfonso XII (1875-1885)

• The Constitution of 1876 established a constitutional monarchy.
• A two-party system known as Turnismo was implemented, involving the peaceful rotation of power between:
  • The Conservative Party, led by Cánovas del Castillo.
  • The Liberal Party, led by Sagasta.
• The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) was founded in 1879.
• The first major anarchist congress was held in 1882.
• The period ended with the death of Alfonso XII and the succession of his posthumous son, Alfonso XIII.