Spain in the 19th Century: A Timeline
Napoleonic Invasion (1808-1814)
Napoleon Bonaparte invaded the Iberian Peninsula and imposed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as king, replacing Carlos IV. This triggered the War of Independence (1808-1814), ending with the expulsion of the French army. During the war, Spaniards rose up in arms, met in the Cortes of Cadiz, and drafted the Constitution of 1812. This new text created clashes between liberals, who advocated for the implementation of the constitutional text, and absolutists, supporters of its non-application. Fernando VII (son of Charles IV) led the latter group.
Absolutist Period (1814-1833)
Fernando VII, “The Desired”, ascended to the throne in 1814. His enthronement marked the triumph of the absolutists. Fernando VII, who had lived in France during embarrassing episodes of servility to Napoleon, dissolved the Parliament and repealed the constitution. He then censored the press, banned the theater, and ordered the prosecution and imprisonment of liberals. Many chose exile. The atmosphere of repression was answered by continuous military pronouncements.
In 1820, General Riego ended the absolutist six-year period (1814-1820) and proclaimed the Constitution again (Liberal Triennium, 1820-1823). Ferdinand VII again abided by the constitutional text, but conspired to seize absolute power. He requested help from European monarchies and saw his wish fulfilled in 1823 with the arrival of the Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis.
During the Ominous Decade (1823-1833), the persecution of liberals, executions, and death by garrote (Riego, Mariana Pineda) occurred. In 1824, a decree was passed imposing a death sentence for shouting “Long live the Constitution.” These were years of banditry (Tempranillo) and underground secret societies.
Liberal Period (1833-1868)
After the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, the throne passed to his minor daughter, Isabella II. The minority of the heir led to a period of regency: Maria Christina (her mother) from 1833-1840 and General Espartero (1840-1843). Isabella II ascended to the throne in 1843 (at 13 years old). Liberals sided with Isabella II and clashed with supporters of Prince Charles, brother of Fernando VII. The conflict between the Isabellinos and the supporters of Prince Charles led to three Carlist Wars between 1833 and 1876. During this time, power was held by the Liberals, who initiated the modernization of the country.
Revolutionary Period (1868-1874)
The Carlist Wars left the country in a constant state of stagnation. The confrontation between liberals and conservatives triggered deeper political instability. In 1868, a bourgeois revolution (“The Glorious”) put an end to the monarchy of Isabella II. The Constitution of 1869 was adopted, establishing the democratic monarchy of Amadeo I of Savoy (1870-1873). After his abdication, due to lack of support, the First Republic was proclaimed (1873-1874). The successive political changes did not contribute to improving the political situation.
Restoration (1874-1902)
Spain entered a new period of stability with the military coup that re-established the Bourbon monarchy in the person of Alfonso XII (son of Isabella II). The Reign of Alfonso XII lasted from 1875 to 1885. The premature death of Alfonso XII in 1885 opened the period of the regency of Maria Christina of Austria (1885-1902) until Alfonso XIII came of age (1902-1923). The Constitution of 1876 was adopted, which recognized the shared sovereignty of the Crown and the people.
Spain experienced a situation of defeat with the uprising of the Spanish colonies of Cuba and the Philippines in 1898. After the war, Spain lost its possessions in America.