Spain’s Revolutionary Sexenio: 1868-1874
1. The Glorious Revolution of 1868
The Revolutionary Sexenio began with a military coup that quickly gained a revolutionary character. This revolution was led by the educated middle and lower-middle classes. Without the support of those most dissatisfied with the nation, perhaps the coup would not have succeeded so easily. In the Spanish countryside, landlords had become laborers. In the cities, artisan guilds disappeared and became the proletariat, lowering their standard of living. The 1866 crisis had also increased unemployment, and finally, consumption taxes greatly burdened the popular classes of the cities. The uprising began in Cadiz and soon spread throughout Andalusia. Forces loyal to the queen were organized and marched to Madrid to meet the rebels but were defeated at Alcolea del Campo by General Serrano. This battle forced Isabella II into exile. A provisional government was established, whose leading figure was General Prim. The first task was to restore public order. The second was to convene the Constituent Cortes to draft a new constitution.
2. The Constitution of 1869
The Constitution of 1869 was written by progressives, democrats, and liberal unionists. It is the first democratic constitution of Spain, establishing direct universal male suffrage and individual rights and freedoms, including freedom of the press, religion, education, assembly, and association. National sovereignty was proclaimed. The form of government created was a constitutional monarchy. However, they did not want the return of the Bourbons. Prim had to search among all the European royal families for a king for the Spanish crown. In the end, Amadeo of Savoy accepted. The center of power would be made up of the Congress and the Senate, enjoying legislative initiative and controlling the government. The king saw his powers curtailed: he remained inviolable and held executive power, yet he was controlled by the Cortes, and the king could dissolve the Cortes only once per legislature. Judicial autonomy was enshrined, and a system of competitive examinations for judges was created.
3. The Regency of Serrano and the Government of Prim
After the new constitution, Spain emerged from a regency led by Serrano, while Prim became prime minister. The government was a coalition representing the three major parties of the revolution: unionists, progressives, and democrats. Many Republicans did not abide by the proclamation of the monarchy by the Cortes and staged demonstrations and riots. Prim managed to restore order. Another problem was the Cuban rebellion. Although the natives feared the revolution for fear of an uprising of black slaves, they increasingly endured the government of the metropolis and demanded autonomy. They were excluded from public office and felt discriminated against by Spain’s economic policy, which prohibited trade with the United States. The conflict lasted ten years.
4. The Reign of Amadeo I
Amadeo I was a good constitutional monarch. However, his reign was full of problems and conflicts that led him to renounce the crown. The great misfortune of the new king was the assassination of Prim shortly before his arrival. Prim had shown himself to be critical, and the glorious leader had kept the three parties together, the protagonists of the revolution. His death undid the coalition. The young king’s entry into Madrid was quite sad. The Church and part of the nobility ostracized him because the Savoys had taken the Papal States from the Pope. His first act was to preside over Prim’s funeral. Thus, the reign opened with the worst prospects: the search for those responsible for Prim’s death and a split between Sagasta’s liberals and radicals. This fact broke the coalition government, resulting in changes of government and the calling of three general elections in less than two years. The former unionists and the liberal bourgeoisie as a whole began to set their sights on the Alfonsine party, created by Canovas del Castillo, looking for a monarchy that would protect their businesses both in the peninsula and in Cuba. The Carlist guerrillas, the Republican revolt in Ferrol, the ongoing war in Cuba, and the extent and activity of the labor movement discredited the Savoy monarchy. The only important achievements were the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico and the reduction of the Church’s budget. There was also an attempt to outlaw the labor movement, but it was stopped by the Supreme Court.