Spain’s Political Transformation: 1868 Revolution and the First Republic
The Collapse of Isabel II’s Monarchy and the Glorious Revolution
The collapse of the monarchy of Isabel II and her flight to France marked the triumph of the Glorious Revolution. This created a power vacuum, which was filled by General Serrano as president of a provisional government. Serrano proclaimed universal suffrage, freedom of religion, freedom of education, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of the press. This declaration represented the triumph of democratic principles. He also undertook an overtly anti-religious policy. The interim government had dual power. It was also a time to rehabilitate distinguished professors who had been critical of Elizabeth II’s policies, such as Castelar and Nicolás Salmerón, who were part of the Krausist movement. The new revolutionary authorities had a difficult task, following the challenges experienced during the reign of Elizabeth II in an attempt to establish a stable system of political life. The lack of cohesion in Spanish society, where three-quarters of the population was illiterate, did not help. Universal suffrage for males over twenty-five granted the right to vote to nearly four million Spaniards, compared with the four hundred thousand who had it in the previous period.
The 1869 Elections and the Path to a New Constitution
Elections in 1869 gave a large majority to the monarchist parties committed to the revolution. The question was to decide between a republic and a monarchy in the next constitution. The political tension that existed on the peninsula fueled the problems experienced in Cuba and encouraged separatist sectors to rebel. The rebels protested against the tax system and demanded freedom of trade. Politically, they promised a democratic regime and the emancipation of slaves. The war lasted ten years and was carried out with a certain degree of autonomy. The rebels were supported by the United States, which was interested in incorporating the island into its area of economic influence.
The 1869 Constitution and the Search for a King
On May 6, 1869, the new constitution was promulgated, reflecting the democratic principles that had encouraged the revolution. The Constitution proclaimed national sovereignty and outlined a monarchy alongside a bicameral parliamentary system. It was a liberal text that guaranteed freedom of worship. It also outlined some decentralization in the section devoted to county councils and municipalities. In the field of justice administration, the most significant innovation was the introduction of the jury. The promulgation of the Constitution demanded the appointment of a regent, General Serrano, who appointed General Prim as the first president of the new government. Prim’s main task was to find a king chosen by the courts.
Prim’s Government and the Reign of Amadeo I
Prim, a progressive military figure, struggled to maintain the unity of the revolutionary forces and facilitate the establishment of a democratic monarchy. He formed a government that tried to integrate people from all parties. Prominent political figures such as Figuerola, Sagasta, and Zorrilla were part of that government. In the year and a half that Prim’s administration lasted, he undertook to carry out the development of the revolutionary program. The disappointment of Republicans regarding the option adopted by the constituent monarchy provoked uprisings, which required the intervention of the army to suppress them. The presence of a liberal king seemed like an opportunity to calm the political situation. Amadeo I began his reign with very little social support, as he faced opposition from Republicans and the Carlist movement. Furthermore, his strongest supporter, Prim, died from an attack. General Serrano took the lead of the new government, managing to bring together the greatest celebrities of the time (Sagasta and Zorrilla), but the instability of the governments was a clear indication of the fragility of the monarchical experiment.
Political Divisions and the Abdication of Amadeo I
The first elections of 1871 provided a clear majority for the governing coalition, but also highlighted the presence of Republicans and Carlists. The result heightened the divisions. Sagasta led the Constitutionalist Party, while Zorrilla headed the Radical Party. The responsibility of government first went to Zorrilla, who could only stay in power for just over two months before making way for Sagasta. Sagasta controlled the situation but was ultimately forced to resign over a financial scandal. A final Zorrilla government marked the definitive failure of the monarchical experiment. The resistance of the ruling classes against the new monarchy increased. Republicans pinned their hopes on a regime change, while the Carlists began to opt for insurrection. The political tensions in Madrid ultimately led King Amadeo I to abdicate on February 11, 1873.
The Proclamation of the First Spanish Republic
The House and Senate met in a National Assembly, which proclaimed the republic and elected Figueras as executive chairman. The new regime maintained the constitution of 1869 and was an experiment in democratization. It was a very complicated experiment that, from the first weeks, generated social conflict and extremist political demands. In the elections of deputies to the Constituent Cortes, the federalists obtained an overwhelming majority, almost without opposition. The opposition parties had boycotted the election. This was a bad sign for the stability of the system.