The First Spanish Republic: History and Political Turmoil

The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)

Following the abdication of King Amadeo I, Republican sectors, who had emerged from the Democrats, convinced the House that the alternative was a republic. In 1873, the Courts, in a joint session of Congress and the Senate, voted for the constitution of a republic, whose first president was Estanislao Figueras.

Social Challenges and Political Mistrust

The lack of political conviction and mistrust of republicanism that the new form of government raised among the popular sectors were the main problems which confronted the young republic. The popular classes did not get a clear answer to their demands for the abolition of taxes and the unfair system of recruitment, known as the quintas. The Republic was clearly opposed by hostile groups, such as authoritarian and conservative politicians of the past decade, much of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and the Carlists.

Internal Conflict and Federalism

The short period of the Republic was fraught with difficulties. The revolutionary juntas wanted to end the municipalities governed by politicians who were avowedly monarchist. The laborers in the south called for the distribution of many estates. Agitation was increased in the factories. Shortly after, Catalonia tried to create a state within the Spanish Federal Republic. This federal republicanism faced unitary and centralist Republicans.

The Federal Constitution and Cantonalism

With Pi i Margall's government came the drafting of a federal constitution, which organized Spain into 17 states. But the radicalization of the federalists led to a proclamation of cantons: small territories that proclaimed themselves sovereign against the central state. The continued fighting between the parties and the lack of sufficient support for the government resulted in constant instability.

The 1874 Coup and the Bourbon Restoration

A new ruling put an end to this situation. In 1874, General Manuel Pavía entered Congress with troops, dissolved it, and turned over power to General Serrano, who decided to proclaim himself president for life of the Republic and ruled dictatorially for twelve months. This lasted until the restoration of the monarchy via a coup d'état by General Arsenio Martínez Campos in favor of Alfonso XII, son of Isabella II.