The First Spanish Republic: History and Collapse (1873-1874)

The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)

The First Republic (1873-1874) was proclaimed by the two legislative chambers meeting on 11 February 1873.

Initially, it was a permanent yet politically unstable regime. It dispensed with the usual procedure of convening constituent courts, instead forming a government headed by the Republican Estanislao Figueras, though it remained largely radical.

The Republicans wanted to hold elections to gather constituent Cortes, while the radicals sought to prevent two coups promoted with the help of the army. Consequently, the Republicans were left alone in the government.

The Constitutional Process and Federalism

In May, elections were finally held. The new government, headed by Pi i Maragall, began the process of drafting a constitution, which was reflected in the Draft Constitution of 1873. However, the new federal republic was overwhelmed by the left, specifically by its own internal intransigence and various social movements.

The Cantonalist Movement

Hardliners led a spontaneous federalist movement starting in the summer of 1873. They sought to establish an immediate and direct federal state structure combined with social reforms. This movement, known as Cantonalism, saw the formation of cantons in the east, Murcia, and Andalusia, most notably in:

• Malaga
• Cartagena

Cantonalism was a revolution led by a radicalized middle class, with contributions from urban workers. To suppress the uprising, the Republic took a turn to the right, supported by the army.

The Fall of the Republic

Emilio Castelar ruled in an authoritarian manner, even dissolving Parliament. In 1874, Republicans pressured Castelar, forcing him to resign and reopen the sessions. The meeting of the Cortes was interrupted by General Manuel Pavía, who entered the building with Civil Guard forces and disbanded the assembly with little resistance.

The Authoritarian Republic (January-December 1874)

During this stage, power came into the possession of General Serrano, the Prime Minister, who continued the authoritarian line of Castelar. A republic continued to exist formally, but the 1873 constitution was never approved, and the 1869 constitution remained on hold.

Serrano’s Liberals relied on veterans of the administration who were not cooperating with the federal republic, such as Topete, Sagasta, and Cristino Martos. Meanwhile, Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, who was not involved in the government toward the end of the First Republic, worked to restore the Bourbon monarchy.

Finally, General Martínez Campos staged the military coup of 29 December 1874 in Sagunto, which ended the six-year democratic period and initiated the Bourbon Restoration.