Bourbon Restoration in Spain: Politics, Constitution & Stability
ITEM 17: The Restored Monarchy
17.1 A New Political Model
Conservative groups welcomed the Bourbon Restoration, hoping for political stability and an end to democratic and social revolution attempts. Cánovas articulated a new political model to overcome the problems of past liberalism: partisan infighting, military intervention in politics, and civil strife. The first major step was convening elections for a Constituent Cortes.
The 1876 Constitution
The 1876 Constitution, markedly conservative, was inspired by the monarchy, religion, and property. It enshrined the monarchy as a superior, unquestionable institution, independent of political decisions. The monarch acted as a moderator in political life, with shared sovereignty and broad powers: veto rights, appointment of ministers, and authority to convene, suspend, or dissolve Parliament. The Cortes were bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the Congress of Deputies. While the Constitution didn’t specify the voting system, a law in 1878 established census suffrage. In the Senate, half the members were appointed or held their seats for life. The Constitution also proclaimed a Catholic confessional state, with the state budget supporting worship and clergy. It included a bill of rights, but its implementation was restricted by ordinary laws.
Bipartisanship and Political Stability
Cánovas introduced a system based on bipartisanship and the alternation of power between the two dynastic parties: the Conservative and the Liberal. These parties agreed on fundamental principles: the monarchy, the Constitution, private property, and a centralized Liberal State. Their social base was homogeneous, mainly the economic elite and middle class. Minor parties existed, but the major ones dominated. Conservatives favored census suffrage and defended the Church and social order. Liberals advocated universal male suffrage and were more inclined to social reform. In practice, their policies were similar, with a tacit agreement not to enact laws that the other party would repeal upon returning to power.
The End of Armed Conflicts
The regime’s stability was enhanced by the end of the Carlist Wars and the Cuban conflict. The Bourbon Restoration weakened the Carlist cause, with some Carlists recognizing Alfonso XII. Military intervention forced the Carlists to surrender in Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia, and eventually in the Basque Country and Navarre in 1876. Carlos VII went into exile, ending the war. The Basque territories lost their special status, becoming subject to taxation and military service, although an 1878 agreement granted them some fiscal autonomy. The end of the Carlist War facilitated dealing with the Cuban insurrection. Military action and negotiations led to the Peace of Zanjón in 1878, which included amnesty, the abolition of slavery, and promises of political and administrative reforms, including Cuban representation in the Spanish Cortes. Delays and failures in these reforms led to further conflicts (the Little War and the 1895 uprising).
Dynastic Parties
Cánovas, a key leader during the six-year period before the restoration, became the leader of the Liberal-Conservative Party, uniting conservative political groups. The bipartisan system required another major party, and Cánovas encouraged Sagasta to form the Liberal Party, a merger of the Progressive Unionist and some moderate Republicans. Conservatives and Liberals shared a similar ideology, defending the monarchy, Constitution, and private property. Their social backgrounds were also similar, mainly from the economic elite and middle class. Conservatives favored census suffrage and the defense of the Church and social order, while Liberals advocated universal male suffrage and social reform. However, in practice, their policies were very similar, with a tacit agreement not to enact laws that the other party would repeal upon returning to power.