Spain's Political Landscape: From Democratic Six Years to Bourbon Restoration

Regeneration of the Spanish Political System

The Democratic Six Years (1868-1874)

In 1868, progressives and democrats, led by General Prim, launched a pronunciamiento against Queen Isabella II. A moderate government replaced the monarchy, ushering in the era of the Democratic Six Years. This period saw the rise of a progressive, democratic government that implemented universal male suffrage and championed freedoms. Human rights and religious freedom were enshrined in the 1869 Constitution. However, the six years were marked by political instability. Following the assassination of General Prim, the monarchy was reinstated with Amadeo I. His reign was short-lived, leading to the First Republic, the Second Carlist War, the Cantonalist War, and the Cuban Revolution. Ultimately, the Democratic Six Years faced significant opposition from the middle class.

The Bourbon Restoration (1875-1898)

With Isabella II in exile, the moderate leader Antonio Cánovas del Castillo orchestrated the abdication of her son, Alfonso XII, who subsequently claimed the throne. This marked the beginning of the Restoration period.

a) Main Features of the Restoration

• The 1876 Constitution: Cánovas del Castillo drafted a flexible and durable constitution designed to facilitate peaceful transitions of power between liberal and conservative governments. This system was inspired by the political models of the United States, Germany, and France.
• Two-Party System: The system mirrored the two-party structure common in other countries at the time. The two main parties were the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party.
• Rotation of Power: Each party's term in government was intended to last four years. After this period, or if other issues arose, the king would call for new elections. This four-year cycle, established in 1876, aimed to create a responsible executive branch and prevent any single party from monopolizing power.

Due to widespread illiteracy and political apathy, local bosses (caciques) often controlled elections for their own benefit. This resulted in an oligarchical system where a minority of wealthy and powerful individuals held a monopoly on political power. Despite the existence of universal male suffrage, true democracy was limited. While the Liberal government guaranteed human rights and freedom of the press, various groups, including Carlists, Republicans, Socialists, Nationalists, and Anarchists, contested the parliamentary elections.

b) The Restoration in the Basque Country

In 1873, the Basque provinces fought against both the First Republic and Amadeo I during the Second Carlist War. Following Alfonso XII's ascension to the throne, Cánovas del Castillo's government swiftly quelled the Carlist uprising. As punishment, the Basque provinces of Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa had their charters revoked. In 1877, the Cánovas government established the Economic Agreement system for these provinces. This system allowed each province to manage its own tax revenue and maintain roads, schools, agriculture, and other local affairs. While the charters were abolished, the provincial councils (Diputaciones) of Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa retained significant power.