Spanish Political and Economic History: 1808 to 1874
Reign of Ferdinand VII (1814–1874)
- Cancellation of all laws of the Cortes of Cadiz and the Constitution.
- Pursuit of liberals and Francophiles.
- Independence of the American colonies and economic crisis.
Liberal Triennium (1820–1823)
- Military coup and proclamation of the 1812 Constitution.
- Division among liberals leading to political instability.
- French military intervention resulting in a new absolutist restoration.
Ominous Decade (1823–1833)
- Destruction of the hacienda (treasury).
- Opening politics to the most conservative liberals.
- Inheritance problems: Prince Charles vs. Princess Isabella.
Reign of Queen Isabella II (1833–1868)
- Carlist War (1833–1839): Focused in the Basque Country, Northern Navarre, and Catalonia.
- Return of the Liberals.
- Secularization of church property.
- Espartero Regency.
- Moderate Constitution of 1845.
- Sweeping powers granted to the Queen.
- Disentailment stops and growing political corruption.
- Ostend Pact: Agreement to oust the Queen.
Economic Crisis and the Fall of the Monarchy
- Search for a new king: Amadeo I.
- Carlist war in the north and War in Cuba.
- Lack of political support leading to resignation and exile.
First Spanish Republic (1873)
- Division between Republicans and Federalists.
- Disorder and instability with four presidents.
- Military coup.
Historical Context and Analysis
The Situation in Spain (March 1808)
King Ferdinand was entitled to dethrone his father. Napoleon became the arbiter of this dispute; Ferdinand VII and Charles IV ceded their rights to Napoleon. This led to the establishment of a Central Supreme Board, which assumed sovereignty in the absence of Ferdinand VII, alongside local and provincial boards.
Causes of Agricultural Backwardness
The technical backwardness was highly dependent on weather conditions, forced labor-intensive use, and the failure of liberal reforms, which did not distribute land equitably.
Industrialization in Spain
- Most Industrialized Region: Catalonia (Cotton industry).
- Steel Industry: First developed in Andalusia, but failed due to a lack of coal and high transport costs.
Railway Development
The railway system was slow and poorly planned. The first lines were built in Cuba (1837) and on the peninsula, specifically the Barcelona–Mataró line.
Key Historical Figures
Mariana Pineda and José María de Torrijos: Pursued liberals who were tried and executed in Malaga for promoting liberal uprisings.
The Cortes of Cadiz
The Cortes were significant as they resisted Napoleonic troops and convened in the absence of Ferdinand VII to establish a new legal framework.
Consequences of Desamortizaciones
Most disentailed properties in Andalusia passed to the affluent classes.