Spain’s Revolutionary Sexennium & the 1868 Glorious Revolution
The Revolutionary Sexennium (1868-1874)
The Sexenio Democrático, or Revolutionary Sexennium, was one of the most turbulent periods recorded in Spanish history. Politically, various forms of government were tested, ultimately ending with the Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II.
The ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1868
Causes of the Revolution
In September 1868, the so-called “Glorious Revolution” (La Gloriosa) erupted, beginning with a military uprising in Cádiz that gained
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: 1936 Origins, Uprising, and Division
Introduction: The Path to Conflict
In 1936, the deep contradictions within Spanish society led to an armed confrontation. This marked a break from the democratic path and had profound consequences, including a dictatorship lasting almost 40 years and Spain’s resulting isolation from European democracies.
Military Uprising and International Context
Causes of the Conflict
The causes of the uprising were multifaceted:
- Remote Causes: The manner in which the liberal revolution was conducted in Spain, frequent
Spain’s 1812 Constitution and the Cortes of Cádiz
Las Cortes de Cádiz and the Constitution of 1812
The beginning of liberalism in Spain occurred in 1812, developing during the Peninsular War and expressed through the Cortes of Cádiz.
The Cortes of Cádiz
The process leading to the Cortes of Cádiz began in the Supreme Central Junta. The Parliament officially opened on September 24, 1810, on the Isle of León, but relocated to Cádiz in February 1811. In the first session, the decree establishing the Cortes was adopted, formulating the principles
Read MoreInternational Trade, Gold Standard, and Industrial Revolutions
1. The Free Trade Area
Factors such as the diffusion of technological innovations, migration, international capital flow, the increase of foreign trade per capita, and the first economic Globalization (1870-1914) caused the dissemination of industrialization.
There were two kinds of obstacles to international trade:
- Natural obstacles, like transport means or routes.
- Institutional obstacles, like the ancient regime or mercantilism.
There are also two theoretical foundations of free trade:
- The absolute
Restoration Era: Economic Shifts in Spain
Economic Growth During the Restoration
During the period of the Restoration, new economic activities were developed. Agriculture remained the dominant sector of the economy. The main problem was the ownership structure, mainly in the south, which was in the hands of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie landowners. Moving northward, the size of properties reduced to smallholdings. The small landlord and the tenant were forced into emigration. The production of cereals fell due to competition from cheap
Read MoreSpain’s Democratic Transition and the 1978 Constitution
Defining Spain’s Journey to Democracy
Spain’s transition to democracy signifies the historical period during which the nation moved beyond the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. This transformation led to governance under a new Constitution, establishing a democratic and social state founded on the rule of law.
Timeline Perspectives
The exact duration of this transition is debated among historians:
- Some define it as starting with the proclamation of Juan Carlos I as King of Spain on November