Spanish Political Evolution and Economic Modernization

The Progressive Biennium and Railway Expansion

The monopoly of power by moderates drowned the possibilities of political renewal and economic growth. The Revolution of 1854 was the result of the influence of three events:

• 1. A moderate military pronunciamiento.
• 2. Progressive and Democratic insurrectionary activity.
• 3. A broad popular mobilization.

Political and Economic Reforms

Key reforms included the 'non nata' Progressive Constitution and a new economic policy. However, the period faced a crisis characterized by hostility, conflict, heterogeneity, and bankruptcy.

Development of the Spanish Railway Network

The goal was to create a domestic network connecting production centers with consumption hubs. The first line (Barcelona-Mataró) was established in 1848, followed by the second (Madrid-Aranjuez) in 1851. It was considered the element of progress and civilization. By 1858, there were 850 km of track, which grew to 5,145 km by 1866.

Construction Guidelines

• Financial: The state did not assume the construction of the train but left it in the hands of the firm that asked for the least money. After 99 years, it would become state property. There was deficient infrastructure due to the low quality of materials.
• Planning: A radial network was designed to scale with the center in Madrid.
• Strategic approaches: The gauge was different from the rest of Europe so that the peninsula would not be occupied.

Bourbon Reforms and Administration

Councils lost weight, and Secretaries of State (Despacho) took their place. The Marqués de la Ensenada occupied secretariats during the reigns of Felipe V and his son. Only the Council of Castile remained prominent. Mayors were maintained, and the county emerged as a territorial entity, but it failed to consolidate throughout the century. The Intendants were limited to fiscal management, though they eventually gained more extensive powers over civil and military administration.

Agricultural Challenges and Land Ownership

The enlightened thinkers wanted to change ownership structures and land trends as the population grew, creating a need for agrarian reform. The enormous properties accumulated by the nobility were a problem, blamed on feudal-seigneurial laws. These laws left 80% of the land off the market, exploited at low yields. The best lands could not be sold or improved, leading to terrible subsistence crises throughout the century. Campomanes advocated for the peasantry to access land, and the confiscation of church property favored them.

Consequences of Economic and Social Shifts

Regarding taxes, the goal was to remove old systems to have funds for the crisis. The ecclesiastical disentailment gave the state a significant amount of money; the majority of income came from the property tax system.

• Landownership: The passing of depreciated property to other capitalists meant a significant shift in landownership.
• Exploitation: With the seizure of ecclesiastical land, there was an increase in cultivated areas, though no new reforms were implemented.
• Social Impact: There was an increase in landowners who lived on rents. The bourgeoisie in the cities bought farms, built on them, and then put them up for rent. Some disentailed farmers also bought farms.