Spain: War of Independence, Absolutism, and Liberal Triumph

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T5. The War of Independence (Carlos IV)

Spain went to war against France (1793-1795). Spain was defeated and signed a treaty making it an ally of France. In 1807, the two countries signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau, agreeing to invade Portugal, which required passage through Spain. This French presence in Spanish territory created unease. Fernando instigated the Mutiny of Aranjuez, which provoked Charles IV to abdicate in favor of his son, Fernando VII. Napoleon summoned the royal family to Bayonne and forced them to abdicate in favor of his brother, Joseph Bonaparte. Before the abductions, on May 2, 1808, the war began in Zaragoza and Gerona. Cities such as these were under siege, and there were also guerrilla actions. In 1813, the Treaty of Valençay was signed, ending the war and leading to the crowning of Ferdinand VII.

The Cortes of Cadiz and the Constitution of 1812

The absence of the royal family left a power vacuum, leading to the creation of juntas to organize the fight (Junta Central Suprema). In wartime, the general meeting called the Cortes. There were members who were servile and others who were liberal. The courts framed the Constitution of 1812, the first to reflect the principles of political liberalism, recognizing national sovereignty, the division of powers, and a declaration of rights. It was adopted on March 19, the day of San Jose, and was called 'La Pepa'. It also approved reforms that ended the old regime.

L2. The Restoration of Absolutism (1814-1820)

In March 1814, Ferdinand VII returned to Spain. He repealed the constitution and the reforms, restoring the privileges of the clergy and nobility, who no longer paid taxes for six years. The liberal army tried to restore liberalism through pronouncements.

The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

In 1820, a liberal pronunciamiento led by Colonel Riego triumphed, proclaiming the Constitution of 1812 in Seville. The king had to swear to the constitution, release political prisoners, and hold elections to bring the courts together. Between 1820 and 1823, the liberals restored the reforms adopted in Cadiz, forming the National Militia. In 1823, the Holy Alliance sent the Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis, who surrendered to Ferdinand as absolute monarch.


The End of Absolutism and the Carlist War (1823-1840)

The Treasury was out of funds, and the loss of the American Empire deepened the economic crisis. The king attempted to modernize the government through a council of liberal ministers. There were a series of pronunciamientos. There was also a dynastic problem. Due to the Salic Law, women could not rule in Spain. Ferdinand VII, childless, promulgated the Pragmatic Sanction, which negated the Salic Law, so his daughter Elizabeth could reign. The absolutists did not accept this solution and offered support to Don Carlos. Thus, the First Carlist War erupted. The war was a dynastic clash and also an ideological confrontation: Liberals supported Elizabeth, and the Carlists defended absolutism. The war (1833-1840) ended with the Carlist defeat. The Abrazo de Vergara ended the war, although the conflict continued throughout the nineteenth century.

L3. The Triumph of Liberalism (1833-1844)

The first regent was Maria Cristina, mother of Isabel. During the Carlist war, she allied with the liberals, who were divided into: Moderates, who supported strengthening the position of the king and implementing limited reforms, and Progressives, who advocated a policy of reforms. Maria Cristina granted power to the moderates, but later was forced to hand over the government to the progressives. The progressives, with Mendizabal, took steps to abolish the remnants of the old regime (alienation). In 1837, a new Constitution was promulgated, establishing census suffrage with more powers for the crown. In 1840, Maria Cristina resigned. General Espartero ruled with an authoritarian style. The liberals joined forces to force the general to resign in 1843. Isabel II was proclaimed queen at 13 years old.

The Moderate Decade (1844-1854)

Elizabeth II commissioned the government to General Narvaez. In 1845, a new constitution was created, where only the rich could vote, and freedom of the press was prohibited. The state was arranged in a centralist manner. The Progressives split into the Democratic Party and republicans. In 1854, the pronunciamiento of Vicalvaro, led by O'Donnell and supported by moderates and progressives, ended this stage.

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