Bourbon Restoration: Alfonso XII and Spanish Politics
The Restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy
In 1875, the Bourbon monarchy was restored with Alfonso XII, son of Isabella II, after her abdication in exile.
Its establishment was due to:
- The desire for peace in the country.
- International recognition of Prince Alfonso.
- Acceptance of the monarchy by the public.
The work of Cánovas del Castillo was crucial. He made the prince sign a manifesto in which he undertook to respect constitutionalism, liberalism, and Catholicism.
Cánovas del Castillo initiated a period governed by the Constitution of 1876, the establishment of a stable monarchy, and the rotation of parties in power.
The Restoration period extends until 1931. However, the term primarily refers to the reign of Alfonso XII and the Regency of María Cristina, which lasted until 1902.
Political Foundations: Cánovas’ System
Cánovas formed a cabinet of regency and proclaimed Alfonso XII as King of Spain.
He defended the social order, property rights, the monarchy as a guarantee of stability, the unity of the motherland, and the maintenance of the colonies.
The aims of the Alfonsino party were:
- Settlement of the monarchy.
- Entrenchment of liberal doctrine.
- Balance between order and freedom.
He was supported by businessmen and the bourgeoisie. Sovereignty resided in Parliament together with the king (it was an unwritten law). The constitutional monarchy was to accommodate all liberal tendencies, excluding Carlists and Republicans. They wanted a government with parties that would alternate (one conservative and one liberal), an army, a constitutional framework, and political life.
Inner and Outer Peace
The government’s primary goal was to pacify the country and the Antilles. In the Third Carlist War, one nucleus in Barcelona and later the Basque-Navarre nucleus surrendered. Despite the defeat, the Basque Country maintained its fiscal autonomy, but the suppression of their liberties caused an increase in vindictive nationalism. Nor did the ultraconservative Catholic movement disappear. Ending the Carlist War allowed reinforcements to be sent to the war in Cuba.
The Constitution of 1876
The 1876 Constitution was the fundamental legal document of the period and had the greatest longevity to date. An assembly of notables met, with Cánovas acting as mediator. The courts were convened by universal suffrage. He maintained the Spanish constitutional tradition that started in Cadiz.
The Creation of Political Parties
The fundamental pillars of the restoration of Alfonso XII, and also the constitution, were the launch of two political parties: Conservative and Liberal. They took turns in power every 2 or 3 years. This embodied bipartisanship. Each grouping comprised different groups with a leader and were not mass parties.
The Liberal-Conservative Party leader was Cánovas del Castillo. They advocated for universal suffrage, the exclusivity of the Catholic religion, restrictions on academic freedom, censorship, and economic protectionism.
The Fusionist Liberal Party leader was Sagasta. They advocated for universal male suffrage, freedom of religion, press, and academic freedom, and free trade.
The System in Practice: Pacific Time and Chieftaincy
The Constitution of 1876 guaranteed the alternation of the two major conservative and liberal parties through suffrage. This system was called “turnismo.” Each party had to respect the other’s governance. When the opposition believed that the ruling party had breached the rules, the king could intervene and call another election. There was no widespread denouncement of electoral fraud because each party awaited its turn. Each party had clients who mobilized when there were elections to secure votes. This was called rigging or caciquismo.