Spain’s 19th Century: Key Events & Figures
19th Century Spain: Key Events and Figures
1820: Military troops in Latin America were ordered to swear allegiance to the 1812 Constitution during the Constitutional Triennium.
1823: The French army entered Spain, restoring absolute monarch Fernando VII and ending the liberal Triennium. The 1812 Constitution was suppressed.
1833: The Salic Law was revealed. Upon Fernando VII’s death, his three-year-old daughter Isabel became heir. His widow, acting as regent, leaned on the Liberals against his brother Carlos, leading to the Carlist Wars.
1834: The Royal Charter was proclaimed.
1837: The Progressive Constitution was established.
1843: The reign of Isabel II began (1843-1868), marking the start of the Moderate Decade. The Duke of Ahumada created the Civil Guard.
1854: The Moderate Decade ended, and the Progressive Biennium began.
1868: The Glorious Revolution started in Cadiz, led by Admiral Topete. Royalist troops were defeated in Alcolea, and Elizabeth II left the throne. The Long War in Cuba began. A strict monetary reform established the peseta as the national currency. Universal male suffrage was established.
1873: Amadeo I abdicated, leading to the proclamation of the First Republic and the Canton Uprising.
Key Concepts and Terms
Desamortización: A legal concept where goods are no longer depreciated property and become free. This was part of the Liberal Agrarian Reform, privatizing Church and municipal properties through public auction.
Mutiny of Aranjuez: French troops in Spain caused unrest, increasing the unpopularity of Manuel Godoy. A riotous crowd demanded his dismissal and Charles IV’s abdication.
Letter Issued: A political text outlining concessions and political participation granted by Louis XVIII to the French people, combining Crown sovereignty with popular participation.
Constitution: The fundamental rule governing a sovereign state, defining the limits and relations between powers and citizens, and guaranteeing rights and freedoms.
Universal Suffrage: The right to vote for all adult citizens. Introduced in Spain with limitations in 1812, it reappeared in 1890 for males and was generalized in 1931 for both genders.
Based on census suffrage: Voting rights were limited to males with a certain level of wealth.
Guerrilla Warfare: A military tactic of harassing the enemy with irregular detachments and surprise attacks, often used in asymmetric warfare.
Direct Universal Suffrage: Voters directly elect their leaders.
Indirect Universal Suffrage: Voters elect representatives who then elect public officials.
Manifesto of the Persians: A text requesting the removal of the 1812 Constitution and the return of absolutism.
Statement: A military rebellion aimed at changing the government or political regime by force.
Mayorazgo: Ownership established to preserve the social status and economic power of the nobility, with properties inherited by a single person.
Holy Alliance: A group of absolutist military powers that ended the liberal Triennium.
Congress of Vienna: A meeting of countries aimed at ending the ideas of the French Revolution and maintaining absolutism.
Wronged Revolt: An uprising led by radical absolutists against Ferdinand VII.
Consumption: Taxes charged on staples.
The glorious: The Revolution of 1868, led by the bourgeoisie, aimed to destroy the regime that prevented the political participation of less conservative parties.
Grito de Yara: The start of the Cuban uprising in 1868.
Federal Republic (Federalism): A political doctrine advocating the devolution of administrative and political life.
Cantonalism: A political movement aiming to divide the country into autonomous cantons.
Juntas Revolutionary: Groups advocating a more radical policy agenda, arming the people and creating civil defense groups.
Criollo: Hispanic American inhabitants of Spanish descent who controlled political power and led Latin American independence movements.
Carlismo: Supporters of Carlos María Isidro, advocating for absolute monarchy and a stratified society.
National Military: Armed forces of citizens defending the liberal system, tied to the interests of progressives.
Items: Armed grassroots organizations.
Manzanares Manifesto: A manifesto with progressive claims, including changes in electoral law and freedom of the press.
Key Figures
- Godoy: A Spanish politician who became very unpopular, leading to his fall from power.
- Jovellanos: A writer and political figure who advocated for political and educational reforms.
- Rafael Riego: A military figure who supported the 1812 Constitution and led the Liberals.
- Duke of Angouleme: Led the army that restored absolute monarchy.
- Muñoz Torrero: A political and religious figure who held important positions in teaching and politics.
- José María Calatrava: An Extremadura liberal politician who participated in drafting the first Spanish penal code.
- Martinez de la Rosa: A Spanish dramatist and politician who participated in drafting the 1812 Constitution.
- Espartero: A military and political figure who fought against the absolutists and was appointed regent.
- Narvaez: A political and military figure who was prime minister repeatedly.
- Duque de Ahumada: A conservative figure who created the Civil Guard.
- Bravo Murillo: A Spanish politician who achieved prominence during the Moderate Decade.
- ODonnell: A political and military figure who led the delivery of Vicálvaro.
- Donoso Cortes: A political thinker and writer who supported Elizabeth II.
- Zumalacarregui: A military leader of the Spanish Carlist forces.
- Simón Bolivar: A leader of Latin American independence.
- Juan Prim: A military and political figure who contributed to the Revolution of 1868.
- General Serrano: A military and political figure who exercised the regency during the Democratic Sexenio.
- Zorrilla Ruiz: A political figure who was head of government with Amadeo I.
- Margall Pi: A political figure who spread socialist ideas and sought to develop a federal constitution.