Spain’s Restoration (1874-1923): Bourbon Dynasty, Politics, and Power
1. The Restoration: Concept and Timeline
The Restoration, a historical period spanning from Alfonso XII’s proclamation in 1874 to Primo de Rivera’s military coup in 1923, marked the return of the Bourbon dynasty, traditional values, and the oligarchy. This era is divided into two main stages:
a) 1874-1902: Laying the Foundations
This stage, known as the foundational monarchy, is further split into two sub-stages:
- Reign of Alfonso XII (1874-1885)
- Regency of Maria Christina of Austria for Alfonso XIII
Age of Exploration: Maritime Voyages and Discoveries
The Age of Exploration
Maritime Voyages
The fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453 disrupted the Silk Road, prompting Europeans to seek alternative routes to India. This led to a surge in maritime expeditions during the 15th century, aided by advancements in navigation such as the astrolabe, portolan maps, the compass, and the development of the caravel.
Portuguese Expeditions
- African Route: The Portuguese sought to reach India by sailing around Africa. Bartholomew Diaz rounded the Cape of Good
Post-WWII World: Peace, Consequences, and Functionalism
Peace and its Consequences (1945)
The Yalta Conference (USSR, February): Churchill (UK), Roosevelt (USA), and Stalin (USSR) agreed on:
- Allied occupation of Germany and Japan
- Division of Germany into four zones (UK, France, USA, USSR)
- Creation of the United Nations (UN)
The Potsdam Conference (USA, July): Churchill (UK), Truman (USA), and Stalin (USSR) agreed to send Nazi leaders to the International Court of Justice (Nuremberg Trials).
Birth of the United Nations
Created at the 1945 San Francisco Conference
Read MoreSpain’s 17th-Century Decline: From Habsburg Hegemony to Crisis
Philip III (1598-1621)
Lacking interest in politics, Philip III focused on hunting and gambling, delegating power to the Duke of Lerma. This led to favoritism, court relocation, and the political resurgence of the high nobility.
Foreign Policy
A pacifist approach marked Philip III’s reign. The death of England’s Elizabeth I and Spain’s financial ruin led to the Twelve Years’ Truce with the Netherlands.
Domestic Policy
The expulsion of the Moriscos, driven by religious intolerance and a desire to display
Read MorePrimo de Rivera Era: Dictatorship and Transition in Spain
The Primo de Rivera Coup (1923)
The 20th century saw Spain’s first dictatorship emerge from a coup led by Primo de Rivera. Several international factors contributed to this, including the aftermath of World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution’s triumph, the rise of Italian Fascism (though Rivera wasn’t a Fascist, King Alfonso XIII called him “my Mussolini”), and the democratic crisis exacerbated by the 1929 economic crash. Internal factors included the exhaustion of the Restoration system, the army’s
Read MoreReign of Isabel II: Liberalism and Carlist Wars in Spain
Regency of Maria Cristina (1833 – 1840)
In the final years of Fernando VII’s life, Isabel de Borbón was born. Anticipating a female heir, the king approved the Pragmatic Sanction, abolishing the Salic Law which excluded women from the throne. Carlos María Isidro was thus barred from succession, leading to the First Carlist War (1833-1839).
First Carlist War (1833-1839)
The war pitted Isabel’s supporters (army, Church, State, and Liberals) against the Carlists (supporters of absolutism and traditional
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