Spanish Liberalism and the Democratic Six Years (1854-1874)

The Liberal Biennium (1854-1856)

During the Liberal or Progressive Biennium (1854-1856), the government was led by Espartero and O'Donnell. This period began with the drafting of the Manifesto of Manzanares. Key actions included the proposal of a new Constitution, Electoral Law Reform, the reduction of taxes, and the restoration of the National Militia. The Constitution of 1855-1856 remained non nata (not promulgated).

The Madoz Law and the Railways Act

Minister Pascual Madoz enacted the Disentailment Law (Ley de Desamortización), which involved the confiscation of civilian and local property, including communal lands, meadows, and forests used by villages. This aimed to eliminate bound property to secure resources for the state, affecting the clergy and councils. These funds helped finance the Railways Act (1855). Early rail paths included Barcelona-Mataró and Madrid-Aranjuez. Features of the network included a narrower track width than in the rest of Europe and a radial network centered in Madrid.

Social Unrest and the Moderate Return

The period saw Luddite activity, including the burning of factories and destruction of machines, specifically the self-acting spinning machines (self-actinas), due to the economic crisis. Eventually, a Moderate statement was made by O'Donnell and Narváez.

The Moderate-Liberal Period (1856-1868)

The Moderate-Liberal period was characterized by Liberal political stability, economic growth, and international prestige (interventions in Indochina, Mexico, and Morocco). However, the Moderate faction maintained an authoritarian government with economic repression. By 1866, a subsistence and economic crisis led to rising prices and widespread discontent. O'Donnell and Narváez alternated as Head of Government, often relying on electoral fraud (such as inventing votes from deceased people).

The Gold Rush and Economic Collapse

Between 1856 and 1863, Spain experienced a "Gold Rush" with good harvests, abundant wool and cotton, growth in siderurgy and metalworking, and flourishing internal and external trade. This led to a continuous movement in banks and the stock exchange, particularly in railway shares. However, the 1863-1865 economic crisis brought bad harvests, a shortage of U.S. cotton, stock market crashes, and a paralyzed banking sector.

The Democratic Six Years (1868-1874)

The Sexenio Democrático (Democratic Six Years) began with The Glorious Revolution of 1868 (October Revolution). Juan Prim served as Head of Government and Serrano as Head of State. This followed the Pact of Ostend, where Unionists, Progressives, and Democrats agreed to overthrow Elizabeth II. Causes of the revolution included:

• Economic: Financial crisis (Railways), industrial crisis (cotton and company closures), and subsistence crisis (low wages, high prices).
• Political: The wear of the Moderate government and the organized opposition.

The Reign of Amadeus I and the First Republic

Under King Amadeus I of Savoy, the Liberal Union governed with Serrano and Finance Minister Laureà Figuerola, who created the Peseta as part of a monetary union. After the King's abdication, the First Spanish Republic was established. Leaders included Estanislao Figueras, Pi i Margall, Nicolás Salmerón, and Emilio Castelar. A liberal constitution was drafted in 1873.

Challenges of the Republic

The Republic faced significant problems: the economic crisis of 1873, the Ten Years' War in Cuba, the Third Carlist War, and Cantonalism (influenced by the Paris Commune, seeking to divide assets among workers).