Spain's Moderates: Church Relations, Reforms, and Political Shifts

Spain's Moderate Era: Church, State, and Reform

The moderate government sought to improve relations with the Church. It signed a concordat with the Holy See, which provided for the suspension of the sale of disentailed church property and the return of vendidos. The Holy See recognized Elizabeth II and accepted the disentailment, while the state committed to supporting the Spanish Church, regular orders, and the recognition of Catholicism as the official religion of the country.

Consolidating the Liberal State

Moderantismo aimed to consolidate the structure of the new liberal state under the principles of centralism, hierarchy, and uniformity. Additionally, the government approved the Criminal Code, drafted the Civil Code, reformed public administration, established a national system of public education, and created the Civil Guard.

Murillo's Technocratic Vision

Murillo intensified governmental authority and proposed a reform to transform the state into a technocratic dictatorship. This involved separating the parliamentary regime and returning to a system similar to the Royal Charter. However, the reform failed and triggered a new revolution.

The Progressive Biennium and Espartero

Following a progressive return to power, Queen Elizabeth II called upon General Espartero to form a government. Espartero, a progressive, attempted to push through economic and political reforms. A new law affected the property of the State, Church, military orders, and especially ayuntamientos (municipalities).

Economic Modernization and the Railways Act

The government intended to raise resources to finance and promote the economic modernization of Spain. A large portion of these revenues was allocated to the rail network, leading to the promulgation of the General Railways Act.

Challenges and O'Donnell's Unionist Government

The reform measures of the biennium did not remedy the survival crisis, leading to significant revolts. Espartero later resigned, and Queen Elizabeth II entrusted the government to a new Unionist government led by O'Donnell. O'Donnell attempted to strike a balance by combining moderate elements with some progressive proposals. One of the most important activities of the government was its foreign policy, which sought to recover Spain's international prestige.