Spain's Era of Upheaval: Bourbon Crisis to Canary Islands Division

Spain's Political Turmoil: From Bourbon Succession to Napoleonic Invasion

The abrogation of the Salic Law, which traditionally prevented women from inheriting the Spanish throne, sparked significant political unrest. This measure was vehemently opposed by Don Carlos, brother of King Ferdinand VII and until then the designated successor, who garnered the support of absolutist factions. Consequently, Maria Cristina, Ferdinand VII's wife, who assumed the regency during the King's final months, was compelled to seek the backing of moderate liberals. This alliance marked a crucial rapprochement between the liberal movement and the monarchy, setting the stage for future conflicts.

The Reign of Charles IV and the French Revolution's Shadow

The political crisis of the Old Regime in Spain began during the reign of Charles IV. Just a year after his accession, the French Revolution erupted, profoundly influencing Spanish policy, which became increasingly fluctuating.

• Initially, enlightened reforms were halted, as the Spanish court argued that such ideas had led to the revolution in France. In 1793, following the execution of Louis XVI, Spain, alongside other absolutist powers, declared war on revolutionary France. However, French forces invaded the Basque Country and Navarre, forcing Spain to sue for peace (Peace of Basel, 1795).
• Later, Manuel Godoy, the King's powerful First Minister, allied with France and signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau with Napoleon. This treaty aimed to partition Portugal, which had refused to accept the economic blockade imposed by Britain against Napoleon.

Napoleon's Intervention and the Peninsular War

Under the pretext of invading Portugal, French troops entered Spain and occupied strategic points across the peninsula, revealing Napoleon's true intention to invade Spain as well. This occupation provoked a widespread popular uprising against Godoy's policies, culminating in the Aranjuez Mutiny.

Napoleon subsequently offered to mediate in the conflict between Charles IV and his son, Ferdinand VII. He lured both to Bayonne, where he compelled them to cede the Spanish throne to his brother, Joseph Bonaparte.

Joseph Bonaparte implemented some liberalizing reforms in Spain. While Spanish afrancesados (Francophiles) supported his rule, the majority of the Spanish people were vehemently opposed to the dethronement of the Bourbons. They took up arms against the French troops, and their example quickly spread across Spain, thus initiating the devastating Peninsular War (also known as the Spanish War of Independence).

The Canary Islands Division: A Capital Dispute

The grave events on the peninsula in 1808 marked the beginning of a significant dispute within the Canary Islands. To address the power vacuum created by the French invasion, a Canary Supreme Junta was formed in La Laguna, claiming to represent the entire archipelago. Immediately, a Permanent General Council was organized in Las Palmas, which refused to obey this junta and acted independently, highlighting the existing regional tensions.

Administrative Reforms and the Capital Question

These administrative developments profoundly affected the Canary Islands:

1. The entire archipelago was considered a single province, to be governed by a Provincial Deputation.
2. The national government in the province was represented by a political leader, later known as the Civil Governor.
3. Island councils (cabildos) disappeared, and each island was divided into municipalities, governed by local councils (ayuntamientos).

The primary challenge arising from these changes was the requirement for a single provincial capital to host the Deputation. The selection of this new capital would significantly favor powerful groups in that location, granting them control over domestic commercial channels and enhancing their ability to interact politically and economically with Madrid and foreign entities.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife vs. Las Palmas: The Capital Struggle

In 1822, the central government chose Santa Cruz de Tenerife as the provincial capital, a decision that greatly upset the Grancanarian elite. Further exacerbating tensions, the University of La Laguna was created in 1817, establishing the main teaching center on the island of Tenerife. In 1818, the Bishopric of the Canary Islands, until then based in Las Palmas, was divided into two dioceses: one for Las Palmas and the Nivariense (Tenerife) in La Laguna.

Gran Canaria fought tenaciously to wrest the capital from Tenerife. However, aware of the difficulty of achieving this goal directly, it adopted the strategy of advocating for provincial division and the creation of two capitals. Although Gran Canaria fleetingly achieved its objectives at various points throughout the century, Madrid consistently corrected these attempts and reverted to Santa Cruz de Tenerife as the sole capital of the Canary Islands province.