Spanish Monarchy Crisis & Rise of Liberalism: 1808-1837
The Crisis of the Spanish Monarchy
During the time of the French Revolution, King Carlos IV ruled Spain. He declared war on France to prevent the expansion of liberal ideas into Spain. This war was a failure. Manuel Godoy, the King’s most important minister, made the decision to ally with Napoleon. This decision led to the outbreak of the Mutiny of Aranjuez. The result was the forced resignation of Manuel Godoy, and Carlos IV ceded the throne to his son, Ferdinand VII. Napoleon then summoned Carlos IV and Ferdinand VII, where they relinquished the kingdom to his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, the new King of Spain.
The War of Independence (1808-1814)
The new appointment of Joseph Bonaparte caused the Spanish War of Independence. The Spanish organized armed resistance against the new monarch. The Supreme Central Junta coordinated the course of the war. The war changed in 1812 when Napoleon’s Russian campaign forced him to shift part of his army. In the Treaty of Valençay, Ferdinand VII agreed to retrieve the crown, and Napoleon withdrew his troops from Spain.
The Cortes of Cadiz
A power vacuum was created since King Joseph I was never accepted by the Spanish. The Cortes of Cadiz were convened in 1810. They drafted the Constitution of 1812, which was based on the basic principles of political liberalism. However, the war situation precluded the full implementation of the Cortes’ legislation. Spain was divided between the liberals and the privileged.
The Restoration of the Monarchy
The throne was occupied in 1814 by King Ferdinand VII. The monarch was expected to swear an oath to the Constitution of 1812. However, the King staged a coup d’état, which meant a return to the Old Regime. Liberals were forced into exile or hiding. The most liberal joined the military and organized many pronouncements.
The Liberal Triennium
Colonel Riego’s successful pronouncement gave rise to the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823). The new Cortes restored much of the legislation of Cadiz and created the National Militia. Ferdinand VII asked for help from the Holy Alliance to restore absolutism. The Holy Alliance asked for France’s military intervention in Spain with the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis.
The Collapse of Absolutism
Ferdinand VII’s policy was one of absolutism. Towards the end of his reign, he faced significant problems: firstly, a difficult economic situation, and secondly, a dynastic conflict. Ferdinand VII only had daughters, and the law prevented women from ruling. To secure the throne for his eldest daughter, Isabel, the King issued the Pragmatic Sanction. Many absolutists did not accept the change and argued that the throne should go to Prince Carlos, the King’s brother. At the end of Ferdinand VII’s reign, the crisis of the absolutist regime became apparent.
Causes of Independence in the Americas
The independence of the American colonies helped accelerate the economic and political decline of Ferdinand VII’s monarchy. Three factors contributed to independence: the diffusion of Enlightenment ideas, the proclamation of the independence of the United States, and the discontent of the native bourgeoisie. Postcolonial society remained with economic difficulties.
The Carlist War
When Isabel’s father died, she was only three years old. The most visible leader of the monarchy was her mother, Maria Cristina. Supporters of Don Carlos gave him their full support. Maria Cristina sought the support of the liberals. Clashes between both sides elicited a civil war. Liberalism was supported by the bourgeoisie, the urban popular classes, and the peasantry of the central and southern peninsula. The war lasted seven years and ended with the Convention of Vergara.
Progressive Reforms
Within the liberals, there was a progressive sector. The progressives were the most moderate political sector. During this time, the Constitution of 1837 was written, recognizing a long period of constitutional monarchy in Spain.
The Regency of Espartero
Espartero became regent. His free-trade measures hurt the fledgling Spanish industry. His authoritarianism led to his resignation. The Cortes then declared Isabel II of age and proclaimed her queen.