Spain's Democratic Sexennium and Political Crisis (1854–1874)

The Progressive Biennium (1854–1856)

• The Progressive Liberals resorted to a military coup d'état to access power when the political system and the prestige of the monarchy weakened.
• New President of the Government: Espartero, with the help of the Unionist General O'Donnell.
• Confiscation and privatization of civil and communal assets (fostered by Minister of Economy, Madoz, in 1855).
• General Railway Law (1855).

The Final Years of Isabella II (1856–1868)

• Power was held alternately by the Moderates of Narváez and the Unionists of O'Donnell.

• Moderate Policies

  • Creation of an educational system (the Moyano Law), regulating primary education.
  • Colonialist foreign policy: campaigns in Morocco, Indochina, and Mexico.

• Growing Opposition

  • Growing opposition to the government and to the monarchy in the last four years of the period.
  • Rise of new and politically marginalized parties (Democrats and Republicans).

Revolution and Democracy: The Democratic Sexennium (1868–1874)

The 1868 Revolution

• The opposition to the government and to the monarchy led to the Pact of Ostend, signed between the Progressive Liberals, the Democrats, and the Liberal Union, to promote democratization.
• Uprisings broke out across Spain, headed by the Progressive General Prim, Unionist General Serrano, and Admiral Topete.
• The army raised by the revolutionaries defeated the forces supporting Isabella II in the Battle of Alcolea in 1868 (Córdoba).
• As a result, Isabella II went into exile, and a provisional government was established.

The Provisional Government (1868–1870)

• The main task for this government, presided over by Serrano, was to call parliamentary elections for the creation of Cortes in charge of drafting a new Constitution.
• The resulting Constitution of 1869 was democratic, establishing:
  • A parliamentary monarchy.
  • Popular sovereignty.
  • Universal suffrage.
  • Separation of church and state.
  • Religious freedom and the right to association.

Democratic Monarchy (1870–1873)

• After the Constitution was ratified, the government searched for a suitable candidate for the vacant throne.
• The Progressive Liberals, the Unionists, and the Democrats endorsed the candidacy of Amadeo of Savoy, an Italian prince from Piedmont. This kingdom had been the driving force during the Italian unification, and its dynasty was well known for its respect toward parliamentarism and the democratic system. Amadeo finally accepted the offer.
• However, he reigned with little social support in Spain and had to cope with two important wars:
• • The First Colonial War of Cuba (1868–1878): An independence movement broke out on the island against the Spanish metropolis.
  • The Third Carlist War (1872): The Carlist pretender to the Crown regarded Isabella's exile as an opportunity for claiming the vacant throne for himself and thus rejected Amadeo of Savoy.
• Due to this lack of popular endorsement, Amadeo I ended up abdicating the throne and returning to his homeland.