Spain’s Revolutionary Sexenio: Provisional Rule and Amadeus I’s Reign (1868-1873)
The Provisional Government (1868-1870) and the Reign of Amadeus I (1871-1873)
The period between 1868 and 1873 in Spain, often referred to as the “Revolutionary Sexenio,” was marked by significant political upheaval and attempts at modernization. It began with the triumph of the Revolution of 1868, which led to the establishment of a provisional government headed by General Serrano.
Challenges and Reforms of the Provisional Government (1868-1870)
The provisional government faced numerous challenges, including: party fragmentation, the ongoing Cuban War of Independence, and the actions of the Carlists. Laborers also sought land distribution and new labor legislation. Despite these difficulties, the interim government oversaw a significant revolutionary process.
Key actions and reforms undertaken during this period included:
- Organization of Boards of Civilian Life, replacing royalist councils.
- Arming of the populace with a militia.
- Elaboration of a new political agenda that included:
- Universal male suffrage.
- Freedom of religion and thought.
- Abolition of the ‘quintas’ (conscription) and ‘consumos’ (indirect taxes).
Tensions between the interim government and these boards posed a serious situation, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Juntas. Early governmental actions also involved confrontation with the Church, dissolving certain companies, and repealing religious ecclesiastical courts.
The government called elections for Parliament, based on universal male suffrage for men over 25. The anti-Bourbon coalition won, and this assembly drafted the 1869 Constitution. Key features of this constitution included:
- National sovereignty.
- A hereditary constitutional monarchy as the form of government.
- A bicameral parliament (Congress and Senate).
- Executive power vested in the king.
The constitution also guaranteed numerous civil liberties, such as: universal male suffrage for men over 25, freedom of thought and expression, freedom of education and worship, and freedom of association.
Further reforms included the enactment of a new electoral law, allowing for the democratic election of municipal councils, and the adoption of a new penal code by the judiciary. Economic and social measures were also implemented, such as the elimination of indirect taxes, reduced tax revenues, and the promotion of free trade, which led to increased imports and exports.
The Reign and Abdication of Amadeus I (1871-1873)
Amidst the political complexities and the need for a new monarch, General Prim, who had been instrumental in the revolution, sought a king and ultimately selected Amadeus of Savoy, who ascended to the throne as Amadeus I.
However, Amadeus I struggled to gain widespread support. He failed to win over Republican parties or various social sectors. The aristocracy and the general populace largely rejected him, and Catholics disapproved of his reign. The assassination of General Prim, his primary supporter, further isolated him.
The party leaders who supported Amadeus struggled to consolidate the government amidst growing social unrest. Changes in society led to the development of workers’ associations, giving rise to the International Workingmen’s Association (IWA), which was largely dominated by anarchists. This development concerned the nobility, who championed the right to private property, and the bourgeoisie. The rise of the labor movement prompted these groups to support the Alfonsinos, seeking to restore order.
The reign of Amadeus I was also plagued by significant conflicts:
- In Cuba, rebels dominated almost the entire island.
- In 1872, the Third Carlist War broke out, with conservative classes and the clergy largely supporting the Carlists. While cities remained largely liberal, rural areas predominantly supported Carlism.
Republicans, aiming to divide the monarchist parties, actively worked to make the reign of Amadeus of Savoy impossible. Numerous insurrections further increased political tension. The Alfonsino party, led by Cánovas, actively prepared for the return of Isabel II. Ultimately, facing insurmountable challenges, Amadeus I decided to abdicate in 1873, paving the way for the First Spanish Republic.