Spain’s 1868 Revolution: Causes and Consequences
The latter period of the reign of Isabel II (1843-1868) was characterized by an economic upswing in Europe. In mid-1860, the situation began to change, and 1866 saw the beginning of an economic crisis. The recession occurred at a financial and industrial level and was the first crisis of international capitalist issue, which coincided with a subsistence crisis with consequences for the masses.
Financial and Industrial Crises in Spain
The financial crisis, provoked by actions on the stock exchange, arose because of the rail crisis. The construction of the railway network involved a large capital investment in the stock market, but its economic performance was lower than expected. Spanish industrial underdevelopment was not enough for it to have high demand, and the value of the shares collapsed. The crisis situation affected many financial institutions. The financial crisis coincided with the industrial crisis in Catalonia. The textile industry was supplied with U.S. cotton, but the American Civil War (1861-1865) led to a period of “cotton famine.” The cotton sector could not afford the high prices due to the economic crisis.
The subsistence crisis, starting in 1866, was caused by poor harvests that led to shortages of wheat. In 1865 and 1867, wheat prices rose by 65%, and in 1868, the cereal had doubled in price compared to 1865. In the cities, there was a wave of unemployment that led to a decline in the standard of living of the working classes.
Political Unrest and the Rise of Opposition
In mid-1860, much of the population was against the Elizabethan system. In 1866, after the revolt of the sergeants of the San Gil barracks, O’Donnell was removed from government by the queen. However, the following cabinet of the Moderate Party (Narvaez Bravo) continued to rule by decree, the courts were closed, and they turned a deaf ear to the country’s problems. The Progressive Party, led by Prim, practiced a policy of withdrawal; they refused to participate in the elections. The Democratic Party was in the same situation, and both signed a pact in 1867, with the desire to integrate their actions to end the Moderates’ hold on power.
The Unionists joined the pact in 1867 after the death of O’Donnell. This commitment was crucial to the success of the revolution. Unionists, led by Serrano, provided armies. However, the social change of the Unionists countered the weight of Democrats and reduced the scope of the uprising of 1868.
The 1868 Revolution: A Turning Point
On September 19, 1868, the squadron concentrated in the Bay of Cadiz, under the command of Juan Bautista Topete, staged a military uprising against the government of Isabel II. Prim and Serrano, in exile, met with the rebels and secured the support of the population of Cadiz after the publication of a manifesto with the slogan: “Viva España con honra!” (Long live Spain with honor!). In the following days, Prim revolted in Malaga, Almeria, and Cartagena.
The government of Queen Elizabeth II, defending the throne, sent an army from Madrid to face the rebels who were regrouping in Andalusia, led by Serrano.
Both forces met at the Bridge of Alcolea, where on September 28, a battle took place that gave victory to the forces aligned with the revolution. The government resigned, and the queen went into exile. The military takeover and the role of military events were popular forces led by a sector of progress. In many cities, they constituted revolutionaries who organized the survey and launched appeals to the people. The radicalism of some revolutionary proposals of the Boards was not shared by Unionists and Progressives, whose goal was to overthrow the monarchy. Upon entering Madrid, the rebel Revolutionary Board proposed to the capital’s Board, under their control, an interim government of centrist character. General Serrano was proclaimed regent, and General Prim, president of a government. The new government ordered the Boards to dissolve and disarm the National Militia.
The 1869 Constitution and its Aftermath
The new provisional government issued decrees to satisfy some of the people’s demands and called for elections to a Constituent Assembly. The elections were the first in Spain to acknowledge universal male suffrage. The Court met in February and created a committee to draft a new constitution, approved in June 1869.
The 1869 Constitution established a comprehensive system of rights and freedoms: the rights of expression, freedom of education, etc. The Constitution also proclaimed national sovereignty, from which emanated the legitimacy of the monarchy as well as the three powers. The state declared a monarchy. Courts were composed of a Congress and a Senate, which should meet at the same time.
With the Constitution proclaimed and the throne vacant, Parliament established a regency that fell to General Serrano and appointed Prim as head of government. The new government was met with sympathy in Europe.