Spanish Political Evolution (1808-1814): From Charles IV to the Constitution of Cádiz

Spanish Political Evolution (1808-1814)

Reign of Charles IV (1788-1808)

Context: The French Revolution (1789), the rise of the Republic, and Napoleon’s ascendancy.

  • 1793-1795: War of the Pyrenees between Spain and Revolutionary France.
  • 1795: Peace of Basel. End of the War of the Pyrenees. Return to family pacts (England/France).
  • 1805: Spanish naval defeat at Trafalgar.
  • 1807: Treaty of Fontainebleau between Napoleon and Spain (Godoy). Plan to occupy Portugal (English ally) and partition it between Spain and France.
  • 1808: French troops occupy most of the Iberian Peninsula.
  • March 17-18, 1808: Mutiny of Aranjuez. Prince Ferdinand and privileged sectors force the dismissal and abdication of Godoy and Charles IV.
  • Abdications of Bayonne: Napoleon forces Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to abdicate and appoints his brother Joseph as King of Spain: Joseph I.
  • Statute of Bayonne: Joseph I announces a form of parliament and approves a constitution.
  • May 2, 1808: Popular uprising in Madrid (violently suppressed). The revolt spreads, marking the beginning of the Peninsular War.

The Peninsular War (War of Independence) (1808-1814)

Spain divided between Patriots and Afrancesados (pro-French).

Phases:

  • Spanish Uprising, May 2nd, Battle of Bailén.
  • Arrival of Napoleon and French rule, and patriotic resistance (1809-1812).
  • Napoleon’s retreat and renewed Patriot offensive until victory (1812-1814).

Reign of Joseph I (1808-1814) and the Supreme Central Junta (1808-1814)

  • Joseph I rules with French military support and Afrancesados.
  • The Supreme Central Junta assumes sovereignty on behalf of Ferdinand VII.
  • 1809: The Central Junta convenes the Cortes.
  • 1810: The Junta transfers power to the Council of Regency, acting on behalf of Ferdinand VII, established in Cádiz.
  • 1812: Arrival of British troops in Spain, who join the Spanish in an offensive against the French.
  • 1812: Promulgation of the first modern Spanish Constitution (Constitution of Cádiz).
  • 1813: First major French defeat in Spain.
  • December 10, 1813: Treaty of Valençay. Joseph I leaves Spain, and Ferdinand VII is restored to the throne unconditionally.
  • June 1814: French troops leave Spain.

The Constitution of Cádiz (1812)

The forced abdication of the Bourbons at Bayonne created a power vacuum. Some Spaniards supported the new monarch (Afrancesados), while others remained silent or actively opposed the French occupation (Patriots), organizing resistance.

This resistance was organized through Provincial Councils (e.g., the Junta of Catalonia, created in June 1808). In May 1809, the Juntas coordinated to form the Supreme Central Junta, which called for a parliament in January 1810 and transformed into the Council of Regency. All patriots were united in their desire to expel the French and restore Ferdinand VII. However, their political projects diverged:

  • Absolutists: Wanted to restore the absolute monarchy.
  • Liberals: Blamed the country’s problems on absolutism and believed that Ferdinand VII should establish a constitutional system with a parliament elected by popular sovereignty (universal suffrage) and recognition of rights and freedoms.

Representatives of the Provincial Councils met in Cádiz, a city besieged by the French, on November 24, 1810. Among the deputies, there was a significant group of clergy and professionals, with a smaller, more conservative noble representation.

Key measures supported by the Cortes:

  • Abolition of the Inquisition.
  • Abolition of torture.
  • Abolition of entailed estates (mayorazgos).
  • Freedom of labor.
  • Elimination of internal customs.

The Constitution of Cádiz, approved on March 19, 1812 (“La Pepa”), was the first modern Spanish constitution. It established a system of government based on liberal principles:

  • Recognition of human freedoms.
  • National sovereignty.
  • Universal male suffrage.
  • Separation of powers: Legislative (Parliament), Executive (King), Judicial (Judges).
  • Freedom of opinion and religion.
  • Law to disentail properties.
  • Recognition of Catholicism as the official religion.