Spain’s Liberal Era: Elizabeth II & The Carlist Wars
Introduction: The Liberal System’s Consolidation
The reign of Elizabeth II was crucial for the definitive establishment of the liberal system in Spain. This occurred after the First Carlist War, resulting from an alliance between the moderate sector of the bourgeoisie and the more advanced sectors of the nobility and the Church. This coalition of the country’s economic elites organized the new state to serve their own interests, largely excluding the majority of Spanish society. This exclusion would become a serious problem, profoundly conditioning the nation’s historical evolution.
The First Carlist War (1833-1840): Liberal Regime Consolidation
Dynastic and Political Divisions
Upon the death of Fernando VII, Spain was divided by two options, not only dynastic but also political:
- Absolutists: Supporters of the former regime, backing Carlos María Isidro.
- Liberals: Supporting the cause of Queen Regent Maria Cristina and her three-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, whom they regarded as the rightful heir. These were known as Elizabethans or Cristinos.
These two factions, which had previously clashed, now engaged in a more radical and prolonged conflict: the First Carlist War, which began in 1833 and concluded in 1840.
Carlist and Liberal Support Bases
Carlism found significant support among the peasantry of northern Spain (Basque Country, Navarre, Catalonia, Maestrazgo). These were deeply Catholic, very conservative people, largely unhappy with liberal land legislation. Liberals, conversely, were the majority in cities, even within predominantly Carlist regions like Bilbao.
Key Events and Turning Points
In the first two years of the war, the indecision of the Liberals and the decisive leadership of Carlist General Tomás Zumalacárregui initially favored the Carlists. However, Zumalacárregui’s death during the siege of Bilbao led to a period of equilibrium, with a slight advantage for the Liberals.
The Carlists attempted to extend the conflict from the north to the rest of the peninsula through expeditions, but they were unsuccessful. Weariness in the Basque region and divisions among the Carlists themselves facilitated the start of peace talks. However, in Catalonia, General Cabrera waged a particularly violent struggle.
In 1839, Liberal General Espartero reached an agreement with Carlist General Maroto to end the war. This agreement, known as the Embrace of Vergara, stipulated that the Carlists would abandon their weapons and respect Basque liberal privileges. In the Maestrazgo region, Cabrera was forced to flee to France.
Political Outcome
While there was no clear military victor, there was a definite political winner: the throne was consolidated under Elizabeth’s candidacy, and with it, the liberal regime. The other candidate, Carlos María Isidro, became a refugee in France, relinquishing his rights to his son, Carlos Luis (the future Charles VII).
Policies and Legal Bases of the Liberal System
Legal Foundations
During Elizabeth’s reign, the Liberals in power created the necessary tools to implement the new regime. Except for exceptional short periods when Progressives held power, Moderates largely controlled the country. The newly created state reflected Moderate ideas and provided the necessary instruments to defend their political and economic interests.
The Royal Statute of 1834
The Royal Statute of 1834 was the first legal instrument developed by the Moderates, serving as the basis of the new regime. It was not a constitution but a charter granted by the Queen, bestowing a series of rights upon the Spanish people as she saw fit. Because it was a grant from the Queen, it could also be overridden by her. As the Statute did not recognize popular sovereignty, it failed to satisfy the majority of Liberals, who opposed it from the start.