Spanish History: Absolutism, War, and the 1812 Constitution

The Reign of Charles IV (1788–1808)

• Charles III died, and Charles IV inherited the throne, marking the beginning of a period influenced by the French Revolution.
• Frontiers were blocked, and Enlightenment reforms ended due to fear of the revolutionary wave spreading from France.
• Following the execution of Louis XVI, Spain and France started a war, which ended with the Treaty of Basel (1795). Spain ceded its part of Hispaniola to France, while Gipuzkoa was returned to Spain.
• Manuel Godoy and Napoleon signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807): an alliance to invade Portugal. However, invading Spain was also part of the French plans.
• The Aranjuez Mutiny (1808): A popular uprising against Godoy, supported by Ferdinand, the heir to the throne. This led to Godoy's deposition and Charles IV's abdication. Ferdinand VII became king.
• Napoleon forced Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to abdicate in Bayonne. Joseph Bonaparte became the new King of Spain.

The War of Independence and Revolution (1808–1814)

Organization Against French Occupation

• Territories free from French occupation organized themselves into Juntas Provinciales (Provincial Councils), coordinated by the Junta Suprema Central (Supreme Central Council).

Ideological Factions During the Conflict

• Afrancesados: Supported Joseph Bonaparte and the French administration.
• Absolutists: Wanted the return of Ferdinand VII and opposed political and social changes (maintaining the Ancien Régime).
• Liberals: Sought the end of the Ancien Régime and the establishment of a new constitution.

The War Campaigns

• Guerrilla Warfare: Small groups attacked the enemy by surprise, proving highly effective.
• Cities like Girona, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Cádiz resisted the invasion. Spanish forces won the crucial Battle of Bailén.
• Napoleon's army was eventually defeated in Russia, weakening his position, allowing Spanish, Portuguese, and UK forces to push back.

The Cortes of Cádiz and the 1812 Constitution

• The Cortes were mostly composed of Liberals.
• Laws established freedom of the press and the abolition of guilds.
• The Constitution of 1812 (the first in Spain) established:
  • Equality of all individuals before the law.
  • National sovereignty.
  • Division of powers.
• This constitution aimed to transition Spain from Absolutism to a Liberal political system.

The Reign of Ferdinand VII (1814–1833)

The reign is typically divided into three periods:

• Absolutist Period (1814–1820): Ferdinand VII dissolved the Cortes, abolished its laws, and persecuted liberal thinkers, restoring absolute monarchy.
• Liberal Triennium (1820–1823): Rafael del Riego led a military uprising that reestablished the Constitution of 1812 and the Cortes of Cádiz. Ferdinand VII sought support from the Holy Alliance (absolutist regimes in Europe) to regain full power.
• Ominous Decade (1823–1833): Characterized by the brutal repression of liberals and problems of succession. Ferdinand wanted his eldest daughter, Isabel, to inherit the throne, so he abolished the Salic Law (which prevented female succession).

Independence of Spanish American Territories

• During the last years of Ferdinand VII's reign, most American colonies achieved independence.
• The movements were primarily led by Criollos: descendants of Spanish colonists born in America.
• Key reasons for independence included:
  1. High taxes imposed by the Crown.
  2. Lack of political representation for Criollos.
  3. Social marginalization of local elites.
• These movements were strongly influenced by Liberal ideas.