Spanish Political and Social Landscape: 19th Century
General Features of the Constitution of Buildings of a Liberal State
Economy: Backward economy in comparison with the rest of Western Europe. Industrialization was weak and unequal, concentrated in areas like Pais Vasco, Cataluña, and big cities. The economy was mainly rural-based, primarily for self-consumption, and retained feudalistic features: mortmain belonging to the nobility and the Church. Moreover, there were some attempts at expropriation by certain politicians.
Society: Society was unequal due to the poor distribution of property and wealth. There was a limited bourgeoisie capable of implementing liberal reforms and developing industrialization. The Church exerted ideological control over a large part of the population, particularly in rural and illiterate areas. The polarization of society, divided between rich and poor, urban and rural, and conservative and progressive, led to increased conflict.
Policy: A conflict arose in 1833, at the beginning of the century, between Absolutism and Liberalism, with factions of moderates and progressives. The electoral system was weak, with typically less than 5% of the population voting. Election results were systematically manipulated in favor of the party in power through electoral fraud. Members of the nobility, military, and clergy formed political cliques, using their influence for personal gain (camarillismo). Powerful families used caciquismo, a system of manipulating election results, relying on governors or social leaders who employed various methods, such as buying votes, arbitrary restrictions, or manipulating the suffrage. The army frequently intervened, with generals becoming political leaders (e.g., General Narvaez) and disrupting peaceful transitions through Pronunciamientos.
Fernando VII
Six Years of Absolutism (1814-20): After reclaiming the throne with the support of absolutists, as outlined in the Manifiesto de los Persas of 1814, Fernando VII abolished the Constitution of 1812 and the liberal reforms proposed by the Cortes of Cadiz. Spain subsequently returned to absolutism. The Cortes of Cadiz was a meeting in 1810 of the Juntas to organize the war against France and draft a constitution with liberal principles in 1812. This constitution established national sovereignty, separation of powers, universal male suffrage, and recognized broad individual freedoms.
The Liberal Triennium (1820-23): In 1820, a pronunciamiento led by Colonel Rafael del Riego in Cabezas de San Juan succeeded, forcing the king to reinstate the Constitution of 1812. The National Militia was created to defend the constitution and liberalism. In 1823, Fernando VII called upon the Holy Alliance to restore absolutism.
The Ominous Decade (1823-33): Ferdinand VII promulgated the Pragmatic Sanction, abolishing the Salic Law and allowing women to rule. This enabled his daughter Isabella to become queen. This decision divided the population into two factions: liberals, who supported the decision, and absolutists, who supported Infante Carlos. Following these events, fiscal reform began to gain support from liberals.
Spanish Colonies’ Independence: Causes
- Spread of liberal and nationalist ideas from the French and Liberal Revolutions.
- Lack of power due to the absence of a king. Some American Juntas declared independence.
- The example of the independence of the USA.
- Local bourgeoisie (criollos) were upset with their taxes and political marginalization.
- Military help from the UK and the USA.
- Influence of liberal military leaders such as Bolivar, Antonio Jose del Sucre, and San Martin.
Spanish Colonies’ Independence: Consequences
- Creation of new liberal states in Latin America, almost all of which were republics.
- Loss of commercial income and tax revenues for Spain, leading to an economic crisis.
- Loss of international political power.
Isabella II
1833-40: The Regency of Maria Cristina:
- Mutiny of La Granja (progressive).
- Confiscation and disentailment ordered by Mendizabal.
- New progressive Constitution of 1837, abolishing the Ancien Régime.
1840-43: The Regency of Espartero:
- Highly authoritarian, acting as a dictator.
- Free trade policies generated significant opposition.
1843-54: The Moderate Decade: Isabella is Queen
- Led by General Narváez.
- New Constitution of 1845 (Moderate).
- Centralization of taxes, education, etc.
- Concordat with the Church (the Holy See).
- Establishment of the Guardia Civil.