Spanish Political Turmoil: Ferdinand VII’s Reign (1814-1833)
Restoration of Absolutism (1814-1820)
Liberals were wary of the monarch’s willingness to accept the new constitutional order. Ferdinand VII was afraid to confront and abide by the conditions. He knew that the absolutist monarch’s return was his best chance to return to the old regime. These were organized to demand the restoration of absolutism and mobilized the people. Ferdinand betrayed his promises, and by royal decree of May 4, 1814, overrode the Constitution and laws of Cadiz and announced a return to absolutism. The return to the old regime was determined by the defeat of Napoleon and the restoration of the old order in Europe.
Ferdinand and his government tried to rebuild a country ravaged by war, but their government failed. The high losses ruined the peasantry and led to the stoppage of trade and production after the estate went into bankruptcy. These events changed the minds of many. The farmers stopped paying rent and had noble protests. Then, the freedom to manufacture and market had enabled the development of businesses, and the bourgeoisie demanded the return to constitutional rule. After the integration of guerrilla leaders in the military, a liberal sector originated. The liberal military pronouncements showed discontent and the failure of absolute monarchy. And last, repression was the only response to the demands of the monarchy.
Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)
Rafael del Riego led a company of soldiers who revolted and walked through Andalusia, proclaiming the Constitution of 1812. The passivity of the army, the action of the Liberals, and the neutrality of the peasants forced Ferdinand to accept the constitution. He formed a new government, proclaimed an amnesty, and called for elections to the Cortes. The election results gave a majority to the Liberal MPs, who began a piece of legislation. Reforms restored Cadiz, established the decrease of the tithe and tax system reforms, and created a criminal and military code. They pushed the liberalization of trade and industry. They began their political and administrative modernization of the country, according to the model of Cadiz, formed councils with elected members, and rebuilt the national militia.
The reforms met with opposition from the monarchy. Ferdinand had accepted the new regime but paralyzed a few laws and conspired against the government. The new triennium liberal measures led to the discontent of the peasants. The old lords were now the owners, and farmers could be pushed off the land if they did not pay, so the poorest peasants joined the anti-liberal agitation. Then the nobility and the church suffered, driving the revolt against the rulers of the triennium. In 1822, absolutist parties rose in Catalonia and Navarre. The tensions occurred between the liberals, who were divided into moderates and extremists.
Ominous Decade (1823-1833)
The action of the Holy Alliance caused the end of the liberal regime in response to Ferdinand, who entrusted France’s intervention in Spain. The restorative powers deemed some moderate reforms necessary to proclaim an amnesty and organize an effective administration to provide stability to the monarchy. Ferdinand did not agree to these requests, and there was fierce repression against the Liberals. The execution of Mariana Pineda for the crime of embroidering a liberal flag became emblematic of the repression under Ferdinand. Another major concern was the economic problem, difficulties of the estate due to the final loss of the colonies, and forced tight control of public spending. The king, beset by economic problems, sought the cooperation of the moderate section of the bourgeoisie.
The royalists were unhappy with the king because he had not restored the Inquisition and was not acting more forcefully against the Liberals. Finally, the court in this sector was grouped around Carlos Maria, Ferdinand’s successor, as he did not have offspring.