Spain’s Political Turmoil: 1856-1870
O’Donnell’s Reforms and the 1856 Constitution
With the new party, O’Donnell tried to reorganize Spain and continued with the reforms proposed to Espartero:
- Railway Act
- Banking reforms
- Confiscation
Their main problems were the military conscription, known as “the fifth,” and taxes on essential goods, known as “consumption.” O’Donnell continued with the same reforms arising from the Progressive Biennium and held a constitution, the constitution of 1856, which never saw the light. O’Donnell attempted a foreign policy that did nothing to deflect the problems, so that their failure in the political sector led to resignations. The government brought Narváez back to conservatism and utilitarianism. These new authoritarian and moderate reforms did not solve the problems generated by the military unrest. There was an uprising of some sergeants in the San Gil barracks, which has become known as the Sergeants’ Revolt. This ended the government of Isabel II, O’Donnell, and Narvaez.
The 1868 Revolution
This is the ultimate bourgeois revolution. The aim of the revolution was to implement democratic reforms, defending the rights of citizens, strengthening national sovereignty, and creating a Constituent Assembly. The bourgeoisie defended the capitalist system, and this revolution would also benefit farmers through confiscation.
The 1868 Revolution was a bloodless uprising without violence. This rise led to the resignation of Elizabeth II and her subsequent exile. General Prim returned to Spain and was named chief of the revolutionary committee. Due to the vacuum of power, the revolutionary committees established a number of principles that would appear in the Constitution of 1869. These principles were written in the Manifesto of the Nation. It called for universal suffrage, freedom of the press, abolishing the death penalty, and ending the fifth. Everything was achieved except for the topic of the fifth.
The people decided to contribute to civil defense groups, removing power from the military. With this progressive and unionist movement, the Provisional Revolutionary Government was set up. The civil defense groups disappeared, and General Serrano assumed the power of the ruler. The only remaining problem was the colonial issue, where countries like Cuba were trying to gain their independence.
Provisional Government and the 1869 Constitution
General Serrano took power and chaired the Constituent Assembly. He wanted a democratic monarchy but faced a number of problems:
- Social problems, with an increase in unemployment
- Colonial problems
- Taxes on essential goods, leading to economic problems
- Industrial problems
- Political problems
Prim was appointed head of government, and Serrano became the ruler of that provisional government. They amended the Constitution of 1845, leading to the 1869 Constitution.
This government intended to create the first truly democratic constitution, establishing national sovereignty and maintaining the separation of powers. It was the first constitution to advocate for a constitutional monarchy, establishing a comprehensive system of rights and freedoms.
A monarch was needed to sign the constitution. After Prim’s assassination, Serrano was left without help and had to find a king in Europe. In the end, Amadeo agreed to be the king of Spain, thus ending the revolution of 1868.
The Reign of Amadeo I
Amadeo I was a democratic monarch elected in November 1870. He arrived in Spain after the assassination of Prim, therefore arriving without one of his main supporters. Although he accepted the democratic constitution, he did not address the issue of the fifth, and therefore did not receive much support. The Church did not support him because he defended Italian independence. The nobles did not agree with democracy, and the bourgeoisie was dissatisfied with politics. To make matters worse, the Republicans, the workers, and the Carlist movement emerged.
In this situation, and adding to the issue of Cuba, Amadeo issued a decree against the military, presented by President Zorrilla. He then presented his resignation to the Spanish throne.
In this situation, someone had to take power, and there was a power vacuum that the National Assembly filled.