Spain’s 19th Century Turmoil: Revolution, Monarchy, and Republic
Topic 12.4: Revolution, Reign of Amadeo I, and First Republic
The Revolution of 1868: The revolution was triggered by several factors, including the economic crisis of 1864. This crisis led to the collapse of railway companies, banks, and businesses, culminating in a stock market crash that bankrupted the Treasury. Queen Isabella II, on holiday in San Sebastian, went into exile. The revolution succeeded due to a convergence of interests. Unemployment and poverty fueled popular discontent, further motivated by promises of universal suffrage, abolition of indirect taxes, and an end to the unjust conscription system that favored wealthy families.
The Constitution of 1869: The Constituent Assembly was convened based on the principles of universal suffrage and freedom of expression, as proclaimed in the Manifesto of Topete in Cadiz. Progressive monarchists won the majority, although Republicans gained significant victories in major cities except Madrid. The Cortes were bicameral, consisting of the House and Senate. Senators were required to be major contributors (passive censitary suffrage) or members of the upper echelons of state institutions, the army, or the church. Judicial power was exercised by judges and courts, with the introduction of trial by jury for political offenses. Provincial councils were also elected through universal suffrage.
Prim’s Government and the Search for a King (1869-1870): In the absence of a king, Serrano became regent, and Prim formed a government of progressives and some Democrats. A monetary reform streamlined the system, granting the Bank of Spain sole currency issuance rights, adopting the bimetallic system, and introducing the peseta as the monetary unit. Amidst this instability, Prim undertook the task of finding a king. On January 2, 1871, Amadeo I was proclaimed king in Madrid. His reign was marked by unstable governments and unresolved problems. The situation worsened in the second year, with increasing government instability, political tensions over the abolition of slavery, the escalating Cuban conflict, and the outbreak of the Third Carlist War in the Basque Country, which spread to Catalonia. The House, realizing the impossibility of finding a new king, proclaimed the Republic.
The Republic suffered from insufficient support and internal divisions among Republicans. Even the radical progressives, who held a majority in Congress, went into opposition. The proclamation of the Federal Republic led to the resignation of Figueras and Pi became President, but the Federal Republic was never enacted.
Las Cortes de Cádiz and the 1812 Constitution
The Courts Commission, established by the Supreme Central Junta to convene Parliament, agreed to convene a Constituent Assembly elected by Spanish vote. The committee debated whether the Cortes should be unicameral or bicameral, feudal or unitary, and decided on a bicameral Parliament elected by universal suffrage for men over 25 years. However, in January 1810, an instruction was issued to choose only the lower house due to the capture of Seville by French troops and the transfer of government from the Central Board to the Supreme Council of Regency, which continued with the election instructions.
Representatives were divided into three main groups:
- Liberals: Advocates of national sovereignty and a parliamentary monarchy, although most favored censitary suffrage. They were heavily influenced by French revolutionary ideas.
- Jovellanists: Supporters of enlightened despotism under the king, adhering to the historical constitution of the kingdom and favoring a system of courts with a granted charter.
- Absolutists: Followers of the traditional absolute monarchy, opposing any reform and believing that sovereignty resided solely in the king by divine right.
After extensive debates, the Constitution was approved on March 19, 1812.
Characteristics:
- It was a very extensive Constitution, composed of 10 titles and 384 articles, likely to avoid frequent changes.
- Elections were by ballot for men over 25 years. Representatives needed an annual income from possessions.
- The voting system was indirect in three stages: parish, party, and province.
- A permanent council was established to meet between sessions of the Cortes to ensure compliance with the Constitution and laws.
- Judicial power was vested in judges and courts responsible for judging and executing judgments.
Important laws included:
- The Law on Freedom of the Press (October 19, 1810), which provided for freedom of public opinion, albeit with provincial censorship boards for religious matters.
- The decree abolishing the Inquisition (February 22, 1813), although bishops could intervene in matters contrary to religion.
- The decree on manorial courts (August 6, 1811), by which jurisdictional rights were transferred to the nation and nobles acquired private property of their land. This led to shorter and more expensive leases, especially in rural areas.
Some laws could not be applied due to the difficulties of war and the subsequent cancellation of the liberal regime by Ferdinand VII.