Spain's Early 19th Century: Monarchy, War, and Liberalism

Crisis of the Spanish Monarchy (1793-1808)

• Monarchy in Crisis: Carlos IV declared war on France (1793-1795).
• Manuel Godoy, in 1799, shifted political alliances, allying with Napoleon.

The Mutiny of Aranjuez (1808)

• Mutiny of Aranjuez: Popular discontent with Godoy led to this uprising in 1808.
• It prompted the abdication of Carlos IV in favor of Ferdinand VII.
• Napoleon, at Bayonne, compelled both monarchs to abdicate.
• Joseph Bonaparte was subsequently proclaimed King of Spain.

The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814)

• The French War: Began with a popular revolution on May 2nd, 1808, in Madrid.
• This was an uprising against French troops.
• Local boards were created to direct and coordinate the resistance.
• The Junta Suprema Central (JSC) was established in June 1808.
• The French were defeated at the Battle of Bailén (1808).
• The course of the war changed significantly in 1812 when Russia forced Napoleon to divert his troops.
• In 1813, British troops led by Wellington overcame the French.
• The Treaty of Valençay was signed, leading to Ferdinand VII recovering the crown and Napoleon's troops withdrawing from Spain.

The Cortes of Cádiz and the 1812 Constitution

• The Cortes of Cádiz: Convened in 1810 by the Central Junta in Cádiz (a city not occupied by the French).
• Many representatives from all Spanish territories gathered to support liberalism.
• Their first decision was that all votes would have equal weight and that everyone would meet in a Single Assembly, representing Spain.
• This Assembly drafted a Constitution that was approved in 1812.
• The 1812 Constitution reflected the basic principles of political liberalism.
• The Cortes adopted laws to abolish the Old Regime, though the ongoing war hindered their full implementation.

Ferdinand VII's Return and Absolutism (1814-1820)

• Upon Ferdinand VII's return to Spain, he faced a dilemma, pressured by both absolutist and liberal factions.
• He ultimately imposed absolutism, dissolving the Cortes and nullifying the Constitution, which led to the return of the Old Regime.

The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

• In 1820, Colonel Rafael del Riego initiated the Liberal Triennium in Seville.
• The King was compelled to swear allegiance to the 1812 Constitution and hold elections.
• The National Militia was also created, composed of armed volunteers dedicated to defending the liberal order.
• Ferdinand VII objected to these changes and requested European powers to help restore absolutism.
• The Holy Alliance commissioned a military intervention by France.
• In 1823, the "Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis" entered Spain, defeating the liberals and reinstating Ferdinand VII as an absolute monarch.

The Failure of Absolutism (1823-1833)

• The Failure of Absolutism: Ferdinand's return (1823-1833), often called the "Ominous Decade," saw him unable to cope with the country's problems.
• Spain faced a difficult economic situation and a looming dynastic conflict.