Spain's Revolutionary Six Years: 1868-1874

Spain's Revolutionary Six Years (1868-1874)

The Revolution of 1868

Following the Pact of Ostend between Democrats, progressive and liberal Republicans, and the Union, a coup led by Serrano, Prim, and Topete took place. This uprising delivered weapons to organized groups on local boards created by political parties. The causes of the revolution can be grouped into two categories:

• Economic: Deterioration of the economy since 1864 with bankrupt railroad companies, a struggling textile industry, rising unemployment, state bankruptcy, and two bad harvests.
• Political: The Queen had been siding with the moderates and unionists. The rest of the population did not trust the Elizabethan cause, which was harshly repressing to maintain order.

The Provisional Government

After the triumph of the revolution, local boards were dissolved, and a provisional government led by Serrano was formed. Liberals advocated for a Bourbon monarchy, while the liberal Republican Union defended the Republic as a form of organization. Universal suffrage elections were called, and the progressives won.

The Constitution of 1869

• Established effective national sovereignty through universal male suffrage for those over 25 years of age.
• Included an exhaustive statement of individual rights, such as freedom and the right to vote.
• Defined Spain as a democratic monarchy.
• Established that the Courts would hold legislative power and be formed by the Congress, elected by universal suffrage.
• Limited the King's capacity; he had no legislative power but was the head of government and chose the ministers.
• Established that local councils would be elected by universal suffrage, and council members would elect the Mayor from among them.
• Provided for freedom of worship regarding religion.

Development of the Government, Problems, and the Search for a King

The government published a series of reforms to develop the constitution, such as the Public Order Act, the Civil Marriage Act, and a Penal Code. In the free trade economy, it established the peseta as the monetary unit. However, many problems persisted: peasant mobilizations and urban insurrections continued, as the government was unable to control peasant unrest, and popular groups did not see their interests defended by the new system.

The Search for a King

General Prim was charged with finding a non-Bourbon king for Spain. Following the refusal of many European royal houses, Amadeo I accepted under family pressure. General Prim would be the great defender of the new king.