Spanish Political History: From Absolutism to the First Republic

The Reign of Ferdinand VII and Liberal Conflict

Ferdinand VII's rule was characterized by arbitrary decisions and cruelty. He lacked a functional government but dismissed ministries at will. He restored absolutism in 1814, only to later restore the Constitution of 1812. The Trienio Liberal was an unstable period defined by conflicts between moderate liberals (doceañistas), absolutists, and radical liberals.

The Década Moderada (1844-1854)

The government maintained a conservative position based on the Constitution of 1845. Progressives were marginalized, and the newly created Democratic Party, which defended universal suffrage, was suppressed.

The Bienio Progresista (1854-1856)

This period began when moderate, progressive, and democratic troops seized power in a rebellion known as the Vicalvarada. The desamortización of Madoz took place, and industrial development, including the expansion of railways, was promoted. Attempts were made to liberalize politics, but within a context of social unrest. Fearing a revolution, the queen returned power to the moderates.

Crisis of Moderantism (1856-1868)

During this period, the Moderate Party and the Liberal Union, a centrist party, alternated power. The opposition was excluded from parliament, and the military, politicians, and students were harshly repressed. While there was remarkable economic growth initially, by 1865, social unrest grew amid an international economic crisis. Progressives, democrats, republicans, and the Liberal Union signed the Pact of Ostend (1866), leading to a military rebellion two years later.

The Revolution of 1868

Based on the agreement made in Ostend, progressive General Juan Prim and General Serrano organized the Revolution of 1868, known as La Gloriosa. Isabel II went into exile in France, and the Sexenio Democrático began. Politics were democratized during this period. In 1869, the Spanish Parliament approved a new constitution, which was Spain's most advanced fundamental law to date, including principles of national sovereignty, universal suffrage, freedom of religion, and an expanded declaration of rights.

The Democratic Monarchy under Amadeo I (1871-1873)

The Constitution of 1869 established a democratic monarchy, but the Parliament rejected a Bourbon monarch. They selected Amadeo of Savoy, an Italian candidate supported by Prim, as the new king. His short reign was marked by great instability and the death of Prim, who was assassinated in a terrorist attack on the day Amadeo arrived in Spain. The king abdicated shortly after, and the Spanish Parliament declared the First Republic.

The First Republic (1873-1874)

There were four presidents during this 11-month period: Figueras, Pi i Margall, Salmerón, and Castelar. However, none managed to resolve the political disagreements among republicans regarding the degree of federalism the state should adopt.