Spain Under Queen Isabella II: Politics, Wars, and Revolution
T.1 B.3: Queen Isabella II (1833-1868)
The reign of Queen Isabella II (1833-1868) begins with the establishment of a liberal regime characterized by national sovereignty, division of powers, and defined duties. Nine political parties emerged, broadly divided into two groups: Moderates and Progressives.
- Moderates: Supported by nobles, bureaucracy, and landowners. They favored shared sovereignty between the courts and the King, a bicameral legislature (Congress and Senate), restricted census suffrage, protectionist policies, and maintained existing provincial and municipal structures.
- Progressives: Supported by the middle classes. They advocated for national sovereignty, a bicameral legislature (Congress and Senate), a wide recognition of rights, and, in theory, free trade (though in practice, they often implemented protectionist measures).
Queen Isabella II’s reign can be divided into five stages:
- 1833-1835: Moderate government; implementation of the Royal Statute of 1834 (a granted charter).
- 1835-1843: Progressive government; implementation of the Constitution of 1812.
- 1843-1854: Moderate government under Narváez; implementation of the Constitution of 1845.
- 1854-1856: The Bienio Progresista (Progressive Biennium); a new, moderate constitution is proposed but not implemented.
- 1856-1868: Government under Narváez, with the Constitution of 1845 reinstated. A period of rule by O’Donnell’s Liberal Union occurs. New ideas emerge within the Progressive movement, leading to the formation of the Democratic Party, which advocated for universal suffrage.
T.2: Constitutionalism Under Isabella II
Three key constitutional developments occurred during this period:
- Royal Charter of 1834: Promoted by Martínez de la Rosa, this was a granted charter, liberal in nature but containing few individual rights. It established a bicameral system, with power residing in the Queen. This led to the pronouncement of the Sergeants of La Granja (1836).
- Constitution of 1837: A compromise between Progressives and Moderates, it recognized national sovereignty, the division of powers, and a legislature composed of a Congress and Senate. Key measures included Mendizábal’s Ecclesiastical Confiscations and a new division of provinces.
- Constitution of 1845: Established under Narváez, this was a Moderate constitution that emphasized shared sovereignty, a bicameral legislature, and other measures such as the creation of the Civil Guard, financial reforms, and legal codes.
- Constitution of 1856: Proposed during the Bienio Progresista following O’Donnell’s pronouncement, this Progressive constitution featured an extensive declaration of rights. It was never implemented.
Following the Bienio Progresista, the King reinstated the Constitution of 1845. Narváez and O’Donnell founded the Liberal Union, initiating the Quinquenio Glorioso (Glorious Five Years). Spain became involved in foreign wars. Narváez returned to power, and the Queen’s increasing involvement in politics led to an alliance between Progressives and Democrats, culminating in the Pact of Ostend.
T.3: The Carlist Wars
The Carlist Wars were a series of conflicts between supporters of the Ancien Régime (AR) and those of the Liberal Regime (RL). The main factions were:
- Liberals: Sought to dismantle the AR and establish a liberal regime. They were supported by the army, part of the clergy, France, and England.
- Carlists: A counter-revolutionary movement supporting the clergy and primarily based in the Basque Country and Navarre. They received support from Austria, Naples, and Prussia, though not as formal allies.
The wars unfolded in three main phases:
- First Carlist War (1833-1840): Primarily in Navarre. The Carlist General Zumalacárregui initially led successful campaigns, including an attempt to take Bilbao. However, from 1835, the Liberals, under Espartero, gained the initiative. The Carlists split into two groups: Moderates (led by Maroto, seeking a peace agreement) and Intransigents (led by Cabrera). The Moderates signed the Convention of Vergara, ending the war, establishing a liberal regime, respecting the privileges of Navarre and the Basque Country, and integrating Carlist troops into the army.
- Second Carlist War (1846-1849): Primarily in Catalonia.
- Third Carlist War (1872-1876): Occurred during the revolutionary Sexenio Democrático (Six-Year Democratic Period), primarily in the Basque Country and Navarre. The rest of the country did not accept the Carlist pretender, and Alfonso XII was placed on the throne.
The Carlist Wars resulted in significant population loss, destruction in some areas, and the evolution of Carlism into Basque nationalism and contemporary Catholic political movements.
T.4: The Revolution of 1868
The Revolution of 1868 began with the deaths of Narváez and O’Donnell, the exclusion of Progressives (leading to the Pact of Ostend), and the repression of the revolution by the Queen. Topete’s pronouncement in Cádiz sparked the revolution. Political demands included universal suffrage and a new electoral system. There were also social protests.
Development: The defeat of Isabella II’s troops, the Queen’s exile, and a power vacuum filled by revolutionary juntas. Courts were convened, and Serrano was appointed president. The courts drafted a new constitution (establishing national sovereignty, universal suffrage, and separation of powers). Amadeus of Savoy was elected King, but he was not well-received and abdicated due to his inability to resolve the country’s problems, creating another power vacuum.