Spain’s Bourbon Dynasty & 19th Century: A Deep Dive

Sexenio Democrático (1868-1874)

Juan Prim and General Serrano organized the Revolution of 1868, known as the Glorious Revolution. Isabel II went into exile in France, and the Revolutionary Sexenio began.

The Democratic Monarchy Under Amadeo I

The Constitution of 1869 established a democratic monarchy, but the parliament did not want a Bourbon monarch. They selected Amadeo of Savoy, an Italian candidate supported by Prim. His short reign was marked by great instability. Prim was assassinated in a terrorist attack on the day that Amadeo arrived in Spain. The new king abdicated soon after, and the Spanish parliament declared the First Republic.

There were four presidents: Figueras, Pi y Margall, Salmerón, and Castelar. None of them resolved the political disagreement amongst republicans. Carlism and the war against the Cuban independence movement weakened the government. It was overthrown by a coup d’état led by General Pavía (1874). This made it possible for Alfonso de Borbón to return to the throne.

Reign of Alfonso XII (1874-1885)

Turnismo was a corrupt system in which elections were rigged so that the party chosen by the king would form the government.

• Conservative Party: Led by Cánovas de Castillo, a group of moderate politicians, supported by the aristocracy and the middle class.
• Liberal Party: Led by Sagasta, inherited the ideology of the Sexenio, supported by members of the progressive and regionalist middle class.

Industry and the Treasury

Enlightened governments promoted domestic industry, especially in the textiles sector. The government had to do a census of the whole population and calculate the country’s total production. These calculations were made possible thanks to the catastros. However, the nobility still did not have to pay any direct taxes.

The Reign of Carlos IV (1788-1808)

When Napoleon came to power (1799), Godoy returned to the policy of alliances with France, following the tradition of the Pactos de Familia of the 18th century. The Spanish fleet therefore joined forces with the French fleet to implement the Continental Blockade on Great Britain. However, the British defeated both fleets at the naval Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Two years later, Godoy and Napoleon signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau, allowing French troops to cross Spain to attack Portugal, an ally of England. The heir to the throne, Fernando, led the Mutiny of Aranjuez against his own father, demanding that he abdicate. Carlos IV had to abdicate in favor of his son, Fernando VII.

Political Reforms of the Bourbon Dynasty

After the War of the Spanish Succession, a new dynasty, the Bourbons, took power in Spain. This new dynasty implemented a new model of government inspired by the French absolutist system:

• The king, surrounded by his court, was the only political decision-maker. To reinforce the monarch’s powerful image amongst the people, magnificent palaces were built or old ones restored.
• Felipe V, the first Bourbon king, centralized power, and approved the Decretos de Nueva Planta, imposing the laws of Castilla.
• The old Habsburg model of government, with councils and validos acting as prime ministers, was replaced by cabinets. These were formed by ministers or secretarios de despacho, who were responsible for the main matters of government: the state, navy, and treasury.
• Pacts with France: Seven Years’ War (1756-1763). In this war, France and Spain fought England for control of North America. The Treaty of Paris (1763) confirmed England’s global hegemony.

Economic Reforms of the Bourbon Dynasty

Farming

• Manos muertas: land owned by the Church
• Mayorazgos: land owned by noble families
• Realengos: land owned by the king

Trade

The Bourbons invested in civil engineering projects and created the position of intendente to organize the economies of the different provinces and to connect them to each other. Carlos III signed decrees approving free trade in various ports in the Iberian Peninsula and in Spanish colonies in America. Trade with America and Europe included wool and iron, and some foods (oils, dried fruit, and nuts). From America, Spain imported precious metals (especially silver), tobacco, and foods for which there was growing demand in Europe, such as cocoa and sugar.