Spanish Liberalism and 19th-Century Labor Movements

The 1812 Constitution of Cadiz

The Constitution of Cadiz was the first liberal constitution of Spain. It limited the power of the monarch and recognized the Cortes as the repository of national sovereignty. It established the rights and freedoms of citizens and was fundamental for the future introduction of liberal government in Spain. It was enacted in 1812.

Mendizabal and the Sale of Church Lands

The disentailment (the sale) represented the initial steps of the Liberal government led by Mendizabal. These measures aimed to counteract religious power and find a solution to the economic crisis in Spain. Church lands were confiscated and put up for tender so that the peasantry could potentially own property.

Carlists and Liberals

The Carlists supported Infante Carlos and leaned toward absolutism. Conversely, Queen Isabella II was supported by the Liberals, many of whom were military figures who had previously supported the absolute monarchy but shifted toward reformist ideals.

Moderate and Progressive Liberalism

• Moderates: Defended doctrinaire liberalism and supported shared sovereignty between the Cortes and the Crown.
• Progressives: Defended national sovereignty and the limitation of the powers of the Crown.

Both factions advocated for census suffrage, restricting voting rights to those with specific levels of wealth or education.

Insurrection and Revolution Defined

In a revolution, there is a violent change in the social, economic, and political structure of a country. An insurrection (or military uprising) typically refers to a change of government following a military revolt.

Ideologies of the Historical Period

• Pro-French: Supporters of the War of Independence or French-style liberalism.
• Carlist: Absolutists active at the end of the reign of Ferdinand VII.
• Moderate: Conservative liberals prominent during the Liberal Triennium.
• Progressive: Reformist liberals during the reign of Queen Isabella II.
• Cantonalists: Supporters of independence and republicanism during the First Republic.

The Rise of Labor Movements

The Luddite Movement

Emerging in the first two decades of the 19th century in Britain and later spreading through Europe, the Luddite Movement was a labor movement named after Captain Ludd. It was characterized by organized attempts to destroy machinery in factories and mines.

Trade Unions

Originating in late 18th-century Britain, trade unions soon spread around the world as workers' associations. They aimed for employment and social improvements through organized protests and strikes.

The Chartist Movement

In the mid-19th century, the Chartist Movement gained momentum in Britain. It focused on political demands, such as universal suffrage, which distanced it from traditional unions. Harsh police repression eventually led to its demise in the subsequent era.