Spain's Moderate Decade & 1854 Revolution: Isabel II Era
The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)
Led by General Ramón María Narváez, this period saw a series of significant measures and reforms:
The Constitution of 1845
This constitution established joint sovereignty between the Cortes and the King. Voter turnout significantly decreased due to a higher income level requirement for suffrage. The National Militia was abolished, and freedom of expression and assembly was limited. The Cortes, comprising two chambers (Congress and Senate), could only be convened by the monarch. This period also initiated a comprehensive administrative reorganization.
State Territorial Organization
The state's territorial organization placed provinces under the authority of a civilian governor. Mayors were appointed directly by the king, centralizing local power.
Organization of Public Instruction
Efforts were made to standardize and organize public education across the nation.
Administrative Professionalization
Attempts were made to free the administration from political influence, establishing merit-based criteria for access to public service.
Tax Reform of 1845
The Tax Reform Act, introduced by Ramón Santillán and Alejandro Mon in 1845, aimed to consolidate the state treasury. A new tax system was designed to ensure efficient collection and a robust accounting system.
Creation of the Civil Guard (1844)
The Civil Guard, a national gendarmerie force, was established to maintain public order.
Elaboration of a New Penal Code
A new Penal Code was drafted to modernize the legal framework.
Concordat with the Holy See (1851)
A Concordat signed in 1851 with the Holy See declared the Catholic religion as the sole official religion of Spain. It suspended the sale of disentailed church properties and returned to the Church those assets that had not yet been transferred.
The Revolution of 1854
The policies of the government, particularly those under Bravo Murillo (who had previously suspended individual rights and proposed constitutional reforms), fueled discontent. Moderates and Progressives engaged in active propaganda against the government. On June 28, 1854, a moderate faction of the army, led by General Leopoldo O'Donnell, staged a pronunciamiento in Vicálvaro, clashing with government troops. This military uprising was quickly followed by popular riots erupting in Barcelona and Madrid. Faced with widespread unrest, Queen Elizabeth II, on July 26, commissioned the progressive General Espartero to form a new government, with O'Donnell serving as Minister of War.
The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
This period was marked by significant reforms, though not all were fully implemented:
General Disentailment (May 1855)
A new civil disentailment initiative led to the sale of rustic and urban properties belonging to the state. The sale of municipal properties, which were a primary source of income for local councils, provoked strong opposition from various sectors.
The Constitution of 1856
A new constitution was drafted but never formally entered into force. The political instability led to Espartero's resignation, and Queen Elizabeth II subsequently asked O'Donnell to form a new government, effectively ending the Progressive Biennium.