Ferdinand VII’s Reign: Absolutism and Liberal Uprisings
Ferdinand VII’s Return to Spain and the Restoration of Absolutism
Ferdinand VII returned to Spain in 1813, following the Treaty of Valençay, amidst an atmosphere of enthusiasm and cheers. Advocates of absolutism urged Ferdinand VII to restore the old order. Before Ferdinand VII even reached Madrid, the Manifesto of the Persians was presented, encouraging the king to disregard liberal proposals.
Ferdinand VII, nullified the Cadiz Constitution of 1812 and all the legislative work of the Courts of Cádiz (except the abolition of jurisdictional rights). He repressed liberals, regardless of their role in fighting the French for his return. Consequently, liberals went underground, forming secret societies and plotting conspiracies. Many were jailed, while others were exiled to France or England.
Spanish liberals looked to England as a model for Spain’s modernization. England granted asylum to Spaniards persecuted by Ferdinand VII, many of whom settled in Gibraltar.
Liberal Uprisings and the Trienio Liberal (1820-1823)
Between 1815 and 1820, a series of military uprisings staged by liberals took place. The military acted as arbiters of political life or drivers of changes in a political direction. The first liberal pronouncement occurred in 1815, led by Díaz Porlier, who proclaimed the Constitution of 1812. However, due to lack of support, he was arrested and executed a week later. Another pronouncement was led by General Lacy in 1817.
The most significant uprising was led by Commander Riego in 1820. It succeeded in imposing a political turn to the reign, initiating the *Trienio Liberal* (Liberal Triennium). Uprisings in America for independence were occurring, interrupting trade and reducing revenue from there. Riego’s pronouncement seemed likely to end badly, but it extended to more cities. Ferdinand was forced to surrender and swear to the Constitution of Cádiz of 1812.
The Liberal Government and its Challenges
The Cortes tried to end the Old Regime, although it was obvious that the king did not want this. He used the enactment of laws and the suspension challenge (for years, he could paralyze the enactment of a law that was not to his liking). Liberals began to split into two groups: moderates and radicals.
These new liberal courts abolished primogeniture, freed properties from their owners, banned the church from purchasing property, defined the basis for confiscation of church land, and abolished the feudal system, declaring territorial lords property, especially the old masters. Although the laws were drafted, there was hardly time to implement them, as this liberal attempt lasted only three years.
The Royalist Reaction and the Return of Absolutism
From the summer of 1822, a powerful anti-government of liberal realists, who connived with the King, consolidated and helped the restoration of absolutism. First came the revolt of the Royal Guard (a militia quelled by the National Militia). Guerrilla forces were organized in Navarre and Catalonia, and the Regency of Urgel was created (intended to act as the legitimate government while the liberal government continued), but it was dissolved.
Meanwhile, absolutist European powers formed the Holy Alliance, aiming to prevent liberal and revolutionary movements in Europe. The powers of the alliance gathered at the Congress of Verona (1822, Italy) and ordered France to intervene in Spain. The army of the Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis, supported by Spanish royalists, invaded Spain, encountering little resistance.
The government and the Cortes moved south. The liberals finally freed the king. Ferdinand VII, with French aid, restored absolutism, declaring all acts of the Liberal Triennium government void, and resumed the repression of liberals, many of whom fled to France and England.