Spain's Moderate Era: 1844-1854 Political Transformation

The Moderate Decade in Spain (1844-1854)

The Moderate Decade refers to the period in Spanish history between May 1844 and July 1854. It was primarily characterized by the government of the Moderate Party.

When Ramón María Narváez and the Moderates seized power, they quickly marginalized the Progressives within a few months. The Constitution in effect was the progressive one of 1837, and soon efforts were made to draft another based on moderate principles.

Key Objectives of the Moderates

The primary objectives of the Moderates were to combine order with certain liberties, prioritizing order to establish a liberal state and achieve the country's transformation and growth. The work of the Moderates was of utmost importance, as their government prevailed for most of the reign of Isabella II, laying the foundations of the liberal state.

When Narváez became President of the Government in May 1844, he initiated a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the Crown, achieving centralized administration, and establishing an orderly state. The Moderates' primary concern was to combine order and liberty. To this end, provisions that had been progressive and could lead to disturbances or support rapid change were eliminated. These included:

• Freedom of expression
• Popular election of municipal authorities
• The National Militia

Major Reforms and Policies

Establishing Public Order

In pursuit of public order, after dissolving the Progressive National Militia, the Civil Guard was created in October 1844. This security force has endured until the present day, despite the different political regimes that have occurred in Spain.

Freedom of expression and the press were significantly limited, remaining under strict government control.

Administrative Restructuring

Another significant reform concerned state administration. In pursuit of social order, the Moderates structured the state into provinces (as designed by Javier de Burgos in 1833) and each province into municipalities. Powerful civilian provincial governors were appointed by the Government, and they, in turn, appointed municipal officials. This established a monopoly on power at all levels and secured control over all institutions.

Regarding provincial territories, the Moderates' desire for order compelled them to comply with the statutory institutions under which these provinces operated smoothly. Consequently, the Foral regime survived under the Moderate government.