Spanish History: Trafalgar, Politics, and Society (1800s)
19th Century Spanish History Highlights
Napoleonic Conflicts & Upheaval
Battle of Trafalgar (1805)
The Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805, off Cape Trafalgar (Cádiz Province). It pitted the allied Franco-Spanish squadrons, commanded by French Vice-Admiral Pierre Villeneuve (with Spanish Lieutenant General Federico Gravina under his command), against the British fleet led by Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.
Peninsular War Origins
Charles IV, France & Fontainebleau Treaty
Under Spanish King Charles IV, Spain initially declared war on France (1793-1795). Later, Spain and France signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau. Napoleon Bonaparte sought to exploit disagreements within the Spanish royal family.
Madrid Uprising: May 2, 1808
On May 2, 1808, an uprising occurred in Madrid against the French occupation. Subsequently, the United Kingdom allied with Spain against the French forces.
Mid-Century Politics & Reforms
Barcelona Bombing (1842)
The bombing of Barcelona occurred on 3 December 1842, following orders from General Baldomero Espartero. It served as punishment for rebellious civilians in Barcelona who opposed free trade policies and the Regent’s army. Having taken refuge in Montjuïc Castle, the artillery, led by Captain General Van Halen, began shelling the city from that position, firing approximately a thousand rounds. The artillery action was indiscriminate, causing fires throughout the city.
Political Groups: Moderates & Progressives
- Moderates: A group of liberals aiming to strengthen the monarch’s position while implementing limited reforms.
- Progressives: A group advocating for a policy of broader liberal reforms.
Disentailment Laws
Disentailment refers to the legal process by which lands previously restricted from sale by law (entailed estates or mortmain properties) were made available for purchase.
Mendizábal Disentailment (1836)
Juan Álvarez Mendizábal led the progressive government in 1836 and initiated significant disentailment measures, primarily affecting Church properties.
Madoz Disentailment (1855-1856)
During the Bienio Progresista (1854-1856), Finance Minister Pascual Madoz enacted a new, broader disentailment law (1855). This built upon Mendizábal’s earlier efforts and affected both Church and municipal properties.
Influential Political Leaders
General Espartero’s Rule
General Baldomero Espartero ruled as Regent in an authoritarian fashion. Opposition from both Progressive and Moderate groups eventually forced his exile in 1843.
Juan Prim: Military & Politics
Juan Prim y Prats (Reus, 16 December 1814 – Madrid, 30 December 1870) was a highly influential 19th-century Spanish military officer and progressive politician who became President of the Council of Ministers. In his military career, he participated in the First Carlist War and the War of Africa, demonstrating notable courage. He was assassinated in Madrid.
Constitution of 1837
The Constitution of 1837 represented a key achievement of the progressive era, seeking a compromise between the radicalism of the Constitution of 1812 and more moderate positions.
Late Century: Monarchy & Movements
Alfonso XII: The Peacemaker King (1874-1885)
Alfonso XII of Spain, known as ‘the Peacemaker’ (Madrid, 28 November 1857 – El Pardo, 25 November 1885), was King of Spain between 1874 and 1885, marking the start of the Restoration period. Born Alfonso Francisco de Asís Fernando Pío Juan María de la Concepción Gregorio Pelayo de Borbón y Borbón, he was the son of Queen Isabella II and Francis of Assisi. Due to the King Consort’s reputed homosexuality, some sources suggest alternative biological fathers, such as Captain of Engineers Enrique Puigmoltó or General Francisco Serrano y Domínguez, both known associates of his mother.
The Restoration Period
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo combined academic pursuits with politics. In 1854, he published his History of the Decline of Spain. He began his political career alongside Leopoldo O’Donnell, playing a key role in the 1854 revolution by drafting the ‘Manifesto of Manzanares’. He was the architect of the Restoration political system.
Opposition Groups
Anarchist Movement
Anarchists faced severe persecution during the Restoration, particularly following violent attacks attributed to some anarchist factions.
Socialism: PSOE & UGT
Socialists, led by Pablo Iglesias, founded the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in 1879. Subsequently, the UGT (General Union of Workers) trade union was established, maintaining close ties with the PSOE.
Catalan Renaixença Cultural Movement
The Renaixença was a significant cultural and literary movement that flourished in Catalonia during the second third of the 19th century. Emerging within the broader context of European Romanticism, it aimed to revive the Catalan language and culture, expressing itself through poetry, novels, theatre, and historical studies.