The Spanish Restoration and the Constitution of 1876

The Spanish Restoration and Cánovas del Castillo

The Spanish Restoration began following the Sagunto Pronouncement of 1874. The primary architect of the new political system was Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. Among the key objectives of this era, we can highlight:

• 1st: Establishing a moderate regimen to eliminate radical political decisions.
• 2nd: The pacification of the country by addressing three open conflicts: the Carlist War, the Cuban War, and the Cantonalist movement.
• 3rd: The approval of a new constitution.

Seeking the pacification and stability of the country, several measures were implemented, including the replacement of senior officials, the maintenance of public order, and the elimination of civil marriages.

The Constitution of 1876: Stability and Synthesis

The Constitution of 1876 was moderate in character but included certain progressive concessions. It was intended as a synthesis of the previous texts of 1845 and 1869. By incorporating aspects of the 1869 document, it sought the agreement of various political groups to ensure the stability of the regime.

Key Contents of the Constitution

• Sovereignty: Power is shared between the Cortes and the Crown.
• Legislature: A bicameral system (Cortes).
• Executive Power: Vested in the Crown, which saw its role strengthened.
• Judiciary: Efforts were made to ensure judicial independence.

Political Foundations of the Restoration

1. Bipartisanship and Cánovas

Cánovas sought to prevent political atomization and secure stable parliamentary majorities. The ideal mechanism for this was the existence of two dominant political parties struggling for power: the Conservative Party (led by Cánovas del Castillo) and the Liberal Party (led by Sagasta).

2. Turnismo: The Peaceful Turn

Turnismo was the system where the Conservative and Liberal parties alternated in power. They would cede power when they lost parliamentary confidence. Crucially, the party coming into power respected the legislative work of its predecessors.

3. Caciquismo and Electoral Fraud

This was a sociopolitical phenomenon involving fraud within the electoral and constitutional system during the last quarter of the 19th century. It began with the political elite in Madrid, followed by the Cacique (local chief) in each district, with the Civil Governor acting as the link between the two.

Political Developments During the Reign of Alfonso XII

First Period (1876–1880): Conservative Measures

• Abolition of Basque privileges.
• Restriction of academic freedom.
• Regulation of the 1876 municipalities.
• The 1878 Election Law, which limited rights and freedoms.

Second Period (1881–1884): Liberal Measures

Key measures during this time were aimed at ending restrictions on freedom of expression. However, a major frustration of this period was the failure to return to universal suffrage.

Third Period: Conservative Return

During this period, Cánovas formed a new government commission to implement measures that limited various freedoms.

Political Evolution During the Regency of Maria Cristina

After the death of Alfonso XII, Maria Cristina served as Regent while pregnant with the future Alfonso XIII, alongside her two daughters.

1st Period (1885–1890): Liberal Measures

• Freedom of the press.
• The 1887 Law of Association.
• Approval of the 1889 Civil Code.
• The restoration of universal suffrage.

2nd Period (1890–1892)

The first elections under this period gave victory to Cánovas through the implementation of the Tariff Act.

3rd Period (1892–1895)

The most significant development was the reform project for the administration and government of Cuba.

4th Period (1895–1899)

This period was heavily marked by the Cuban War. The government soon entered a crisis as it faced pressure from the Finance Minister, who sought to cut spending to manage the conflict.