First Spanish Republic: Origins, Key Events, and Collapse
The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
The First Republic lasted only 11 months. The Spanish Republicans were mostly Federalists. When Amadeo I abdicated, Estanislao Figueras became the first president. His government’s purpose was to hold general elections immediately. The largest party was the Federal Republican Party led by Pi y Margall, alongside a smaller group of Unitarians. Parliament also included monarchists under Serrano’s command.
Pi y Margall was elected President and began drafting the first Spanish Republican Constitution, known as the Constitution of 1873. A key feature was the division of Spain into 17 federal states (including Cuba). However, the constitution was never approved due to political instability caused by the Colonial War, the Second Carlist War, and especially the Cantonal War.
The Cantonal War
Cantonalism aimed to implement the federal republic from the bottom up. However, it became atomized, with counties declaring themselves independent cantons in cities like Seville, Cadiz, Cartagena, and Alcoy. These events led to Pi y Margall’s resignation. Nicolás Salmerón became the third president but resigned due to a moral issue (his refusal to sign a death sentence).
Castelar’s Presidency and the Coup
Emilio Castelar, representing greater conservatism, became the fourth president. He tried to resolve the Republic’s problems, starting with the Cantonal War. He governed by decree, which effectively ended the cantonal problem, limiting it to Cartagena. He then opened Parliament, presenting his policies and requesting a vote of confidence. When the vote went against him, he was forced to resign.
During the vote, Congress was stormed by soldiers led by General Pavia, who staged a coup against the Republic and handed power to General Serrano.
Beginnings of the Revolution
The moderate opposition prepared for a radical political change: a revolution. This was formalized in the Covenant of Ostend, which initiated the Revolutionary Sexenio. Within the progressive party, new republicans and democrats emerged:
- Republicans: Advocated for radical change, aiming to establish a republic in Spain and eliminate the monarchy. The Head of State would be elected by the people. Key leaders included Pi y Margall and Emilio Castelar.
- Democrats: Shared the ideology of the progressives, but sought universal male suffrage. Ruiz Zorrilla was one of their leaders.
- Progressives: Due to Espartero’s age, the party sought a new leader, finding one in General Prim. Práxedes Mateo Sagasta was another important leader.
All these parties agreed to join the revolution, which required three fundamental elements:
- A good army.
- Political decency.
- The support of the people.
Politicians offered the Liberal Union of O’Donnell accession to the revolution, but O’Donnell never accepted. He died in 1868 and Serrano succeeded him as the leader of his party, which then decided to join the Covenant of Ostend. Coincidentally, Narváez also died that year.
To avoid the revolution appearing too radical, Serrano (the least radical of all) was placed at the head of the covenant.
The Glorious Revolutionary Sexenio began in September 1868 in Cadiz, led by Admiral Topete, marking the start of this turbulent period in Spanish contemporary history.