Spain's Bourbon Restoration: The Canovist System of 1874

Spain's Bourbon Restoration in 1874

The pronouncement of General Martínez Campos in December 1874 signified the restoration of the monarchy in the person of Alfonso XII, son of Isabella II. The new political system was designed by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, who served as regent until the king arrived in Spain in January 1875.

The coup was welcomed by conservative groups who feared the radicalization of the previous political term and the rise of the workers' movement. They hoped the monarchy would restore political stability and foster economic and social development. Furthermore, the new regime aimed to overcome some of the endemic problems of the preceding liberal era: the partisan and exclusionary nature of the moderates during the reign of Isabella II, military interventionism in politics, and the proliferation of civil conflicts.

The 1876 Constitution: A Moderate Framework

The foundation of the new system was the 1876 Constitution, a document of moderate character inspired, in part, by the Constitution of 1845. It was a constitution in which the defense of traditional values—such as family, religion, and property—would be consistent with the medium-term incorporation of some democratic principles from the 1868 revolution.

Key Constitutional Principles

• Shared Sovereignty: The Constitution established joint sovereignty between the Courts (Cortes) and the Crown, an institution that stood outside any partisan political decision.
• The Crown's Powers: Recognized as a pillar of the new regime, the Crown was granted the right to veto legislation, share legislative power with the Courts, and appoint ministers.
• Bicameral Courts: The Courts were organized into two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
• State Religion: It proclaimed Catholicism as the state religion and, consequently, restored the state budget for the church and clergy.

Individual Rights and Liberties

The constitution also included a lengthy bill of rights. However, its implementation was delegated to ordinary laws, which generally tended to restrict these rights, especially those concerning the press, expression, association, and assembly.

The Pillars of the Canovist System

The fundamental pillars upon which Cánovas's system rested were the Crown, the dynastic parties, and the army. The monarchy was conceived as an unquestionable and permanent institution, standing above any political decision. Its role was to act as a referee in political life, ensuring a proper understanding and the alternation of power between the major political parties. Power was to be shared alternately between the two great dynastic parties: the Conservative and Liberal parties.