Spanish Constitution of 1812: A Foundation of Liberalism
**Classification of the Constitution of 1812**
**Nature of the Text**
We have a selection of fragments, namely 11 articles, from the first Spanish Constitution, which established a model of liberalism in Spain: the Constitution of Cádiz, also known as La Pepa. Because of its legal nature, we can see that it is a source text of a legal nature.
**Author and Target Audience**
The author is collective: the Cortes of Cádiz, representing the Spanish nation, including all Spaniards from both hemispheres.
Read MoreBourbon Restoration and Democratic Sexenio in Spain
The Bourbon Restoration (1874-1931)
A) The Political System of the Restoration (1874-1902)
1. Objectives:
- Restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy: Historical legitimacy, Canovas del Castillo (Manifesto of Sandhurst).
- Political, economic, and social development: End of the Carlist War (1876) and the war in Cuba (1878); end of citizen mobilization.
- Liberal parliamentary system (without universal suffrage): Political system shared by all sectors of the bourgeoisie, end of military intervention in politics,
Spain’s Second Republic: From Inception to Civil War
The Proclamation of the Second Republic
From the resignation of Primo de Rivera in January 1930 until the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931, attempts were made to return to a liberal, constitutional, and parliamentary regime. Berenguer and Aznar succeeded each other, tasked by the king with forming governments to restore the parliamentary system. This period was popularly known as the Dictablanda.
Dynastic parties had few supporters of the monarchy, as most had joined the Pact
Read MoreImpact of the Spanish Civil War: Nationals vs. Republicans
The Spanish Civil War: A Nation Divided (1936-1939)
The failed coup, though not defeated, led to civil war and the existence of two completely different and opposing sides. Although the Spanish Civil War was an internal conflict, its international character would influence and originate mainly in its development.
The Nationalist and the Republican Sides
The civil war had an immediate political effect: the destruction of the state. From 1936 to 1939, in both areas, a new political state was created,
Read MoreSpain’s Transition to Democracy: 1976-1978
The Spanish Political Transition
After General Franco died, and the first speech of D. Juan Carlos as head of state, a horizon of political change was already visible in Spain. The young monarch, despite being heir to the system imposed by Franco, right from the start suggested the need to restore freedoms to civil society in Spain. A difficult period opened since the passage from a dictatorship that had survived for almost forty years to full democracy would not be easy. Three options were raised:
Read MoreJuan Carlos I’s First Speech as King of Spain in 1975
Message from the Crown
“This time, filled with emotion and hope, I assume the crown, [beginning a] new era in the history of Spain, [seeking] an effective consensus, [as] guardian of the constitutional system, [respecting the] unity of the Kingdom, [and] the regional peculiarities; the first soldier, [head] of the armed forces of Spain; recognition of social and economic rights, [and] consideration for the Church.”
Commentary
We have here a fragment of the first speech of Don Juan Carlos as head of
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