Spain Under Queen Isabel II: Politics and Society 1843-1868
During the reign of Isabel II from 1843 to 1868, a number of common characteristics appeared unchanged over the 25 years of her reign. These features highlight a liberal-conservative monarchy, enshrined in the Constitution of 1845, which established a regime based on exclusive political participation of an oligarchy of landowners, agrarian bourgeoisie, and commercial interests, supported and aligned with conservatism. There was a presence of soldiers among the country’s rulers, such as Narvaez, O’Donnell, and Espartero. Another unique feature is the presence in parliament of bourgeois parties until 1854, such as the moderates and progressives. Finally, another feature is the exclusion of the majority of the population. Neither the peasants nor the workers had anything to be thankful for.
The Rise of the Moderates and the 1845 Constitution
In November 1843, Isabel II was proclaimed Queen. The character traits that were favored heavily influenced the court gang, which became one of the greatest dangers to the survival of the liberal regime. The conquest of power by the moderates brought Narvaez to power in May 1844. This increase represented the throne: the entrance to the political scene of a group of young military, the social and political triumph of the financial landed gentry, and the crown. To govern and to satisfy the government of peace, the Constitution of 1845 was born. It was a more conservative law, in force for 23 years. The following articles embodied the political model of the moderates: the rejection of national sovereignty and its replacement by shared sovereignty. The crown reached tremendous power: the judiciary was reduced to a mere “Administration of Justice.” The National Militia was abolished, and the Bill of Rights remained.
Reforms and the Concordat of 1851
The moderates created the Spanish State, and the normalization of Church and State in 1851 culminated with the signing of the Concordat with the Holy See, thus establishing the return of Church property that had not been sold. From this agreement, the position of Catholics was to support Isabel II. Tax reform and the Hacienda were the work of a minister (Pidal y Mon) that rationalized the tax system and tax collection by centralizing taxes in the hands of the state. There were other measures; on education, the state controlled public education, which established three levels of education and developed a classic official curriculum. The Civil Guard was created, charged with maintaining public order and surveillance of private property. An extensive public works policy was carried out.
The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
In 1854, the moderate regime was very worn. Its unpopularity was due to several factors: the tension and social unrest increased by a rise in prices, and the government’s attempt to control public life, including the press. In response to this, a moderate group of generals led by O’Donnell spoke in Vicalvaro. O’Donnell retired to Andalusia, where the rebels issued a manifesto written by Antonio Canovas del Castillo, the “Manifesto of Manzanares.” There was a progressive lifting of the entire national territory. The Queen handed power back to Espartero, who shared it with O’Donnell, leading to a government that would remain only two years, during the Progressive Biennium.
Challenges and Reforms During the Biennium
In these two years, governments met with many obstacles. Therefore, the contents of the biennium were reduced, emphasizing the development of a new Constitution (1856), which was not enacted due to the short duration of the progressive government, the civil confiscation of 1855, a railroad law in 1855 that allowed the establishment of a rail network, and a law that facilitated the functioning of a modern banking system. These measures did not result in improving the quality of life of the poorer classes. However, an increase in the freedom of the press was noticed. Given the situation of disorder that occurred in the country, Queen Espartero resigned his job to O’Donnell, who restored the regime that he himself had helped to overthrow.
The Liberal Union and the Return to Conservatism (1856-1863)
Between 1856 and 1863, there was a period of stability, dominated by O’Donnell and his party, the Liberal Union, with two stages of government.
- In the first stage, O’Donnell restored the Constitution of 1845. Electoral manipulations by the minister Posada put paid to the image of public honesty that he tried to give. The first presidency of O’Donnell was brief, and the return of Narvaez led to a very conservative policy with the support of the Queen and the clergy.
- The second stage of O’Donnell passed between 1858 and 1863. During this stage, internal conflicts were exacerbated, and the entire period was marked by a return to conservatism.
The Decline of the Elizabethan Regime (1863-1868)
Between 1863 and 1868, moderate governments and unionists alternated. A number of factors accelerated the decomposition of the Elizabethan regime:
- The prestige of the Court and the actual figure of the Queen for his public life.
- Student protests and the expulsion from their chairs of relevant people.
- The disappearance of the great political leaders of the Elizabethan monarchy (O’Donnell died in 1867 and Narvaez in 1868).
- The financial and industrial crises were compounded by a subsistence crisis, which began with a series of poor harvests that produced a rise in the price of wheat, the staple food of the population.
The Inevitable Fall of Isabel II
The binding of these factors initiated an anti-Bourbon conspiracy so that the fall of Isabel II was only a question of time.
The Aftermath: The 1868 Revolution
After the fall of Isabel II and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in the form of her son, Alfonso XII, there was the Revolution of 1868.