Spain's Early 19th Century: Liberalism, Absolutism, and Colonial Independence

The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

In 1820, a pronouncement led by Colonel Rafael del Riego in Cabezas de San Juan was successful, ushering in the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823). The king was forced to swear allegiance to the constitution, declare an amnesty, and call elections. This period saw the creation of the National Militia, an armed volunteer corps dedicated to defending the liberal order.

However, this process was opposed by Ferdinand VII, who sought help from European powers to restore absolutism. The Holy Alliance commissioned France's military intervention in Spain, and in 1823, the so-called Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis defeated the Liberals, allowing Ferdinand to re-establish absolutism.

The Bankruptcy of Absolutism (1823-1833)

The return to absolutism (1823-1833) was followed by a crackdown on liberals and the destruction of all legislative work from the Triennium. But the governments of Ferdinand VII were incapable of resolving the serious problems the country faced.

• There was a difficult economic situation. The war against the French had greatly weakened the economy and left the state in bankruptcy.
• It was essential that tax reform would oblige the privileged classes to contribute through taxes.
• There was a dynastic conflict. Ferdinand VII had only daughters, and the Salic Law prevented women from reigning in Spain.

Independence of the American Colonies (1808-1826)

The start of the nineteenth century saw the independence of most of the American colonies. This process helped to accelerate the economic decline and political prestige loss of the monarchy of Ferdinand VII.

Causes of Independence

In the early nineteenth century, unrest in the colonies exploded in the form of wars of independence. Several factors contributed to this:

• The spread of enlightened ideas and the principles of liberty and equality promoted by the French Revolution.
• The success of the revolt of the colonies of North America, which resulted in the independence of the USA.
• The discontent of the native bourgeoisie (white but born in America).

The End of the American Empire

The outbreak of the Peninsular War in Spain led to the formation of juntas (governing committees) in the American colonies as well.

In 1814, after the end of the war against the French, Spanish troops managed to momentarily restore control over some colonies.

Problems of the New Republics

The new American republics were born with serious problems because the interests of warlords prevented a united America, leading to fragmentation into many republics. Furthermore, they often overlooked the needs of indigenous people, resulting in persistent social and economic inequalities.