First Spanish Republic: Political Instability 1873-1874

The First Spanish Republic: A Brief and Turbulent Period (1873-1874)

The Abdication of Amadeo I and the Proclamation of the Republic

The situation became increasingly difficult with the conspiracy of Cánovas, who favored the restoration of the Bourbons. This culminated in the abdication of Amadeo I on February 11, 1873. That same day, the House of Representatives and the Senate, in a National Assembly, proclaimed the First Spanish Republic. This Republic was born from a fragile alliance of radical and republican unitarians, but it was not recognized by France or the United Kingdom. Within Spain, support for the Republic was limited to a sector of the liberal bourgeoisie and some labor elements. Adding to the political crisis was an economic one, marked by the failure to pay the interest on the public debt.

Figueras, Pi y Margall, and the Cantonalist Uprising

The first president of the executive was Estanislao Figueras. The mayor of Madrid, Cristino Martos, launched a failed coup, managing to mobilize only a few battalions of soldiers. Consequently, the Federal sector of the government was forced to dissolve Parliament and call elections, which resulted in a victory for federal Republican candidates.

Francisco Pi y Margall presented a government program to the Cortes that emphasized changes to improve the situation of public finances and the separation of Church and State. He drafted a constitution, but it was never approved. Pi y Margall had to deal with the Cuban insurrection and the intended organization of the Republic from the municipalities. The Cantonalist uprising multiplied in the Levant and Andalusia. On July 12, the canton of Cartagena was proclaimed, followed by Seville, Torrevieja, and others.

Salmerón, Castelar, and the End of the Republic

Pi y Margall resigned due to the Cantonalist uprising. His successor, Nicolás Salmerón, relied on the army to restore constitutional order. His political action focused on the removal of sections of the First International in Spain and the repression of the Chartists. His refusal to sign a death penalty led to his resignation.

Emilio Castelar initiated a conservative shift in the Republic, implementing a policy to restore national unity and social order. He relied on the military and volunteers to reduce the Republic. He reorganized the military, suspended constitutional guarantees, and closed the Cortes. This culminated in the arrival of the forces of General Manuel Pavía, Captain General of Madrid, who dissolved the Congress of Deputies.