The French War and the Reign of Ferdinand VII in Spain
The French War (1808-1814)
King Charles IV ascended to the Spanish throne in 1788 and immediately found himself overwhelmed by the complex situation created by the French Revolution in 1789. The fear of revolutionary expansion froze all the reforms initiated during the reign of Charles III. Old government ministers like Jovellanos and Floridablanca opted for a cautious approach. The new monarch declared war on France, forming a coalition with other European absolutist monarchies from 1793-1795 due to the role of the masses in the French Revolution, the radical nature of many of its reforms, and the execution of Louis XVI in 1793.
The war ended with a total defeat of the Spanish troops. At this time, with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799, Spanish politics, led by the new Prime Minister, Manuel Godoy, wavered between the fear of France and the attempt to negotiate to avoid confrontation with Napoleon’s powerful army.
The Mutiny of Aranjuez
In 1792, Charles IV entrusted power to a young soldier of plebeian origin, Manuel Godoy. Godoy tackled a series of internal reforms:
- Attempted seizure of church lands
- Reduction of the activity and power of the Inquisition
- Promotion of economic societies and “friends of the country”
- Protection of artists and intellectuals
In foreign policy, he allied with France and signed several agreements with Napoleon. Spain became an ally of France, facing England. In the naval Battle of Trafalgar (1805), Spain lost its entire fleet after the destruction of the Franco-Spanish navy by Admiral Nelson. In 1807, Napoleon obtained the consent of Charles IV for his army to cross Spain to attack Portugal, an ally of England, in exchange for a future distribution of Portugal between France, Spain, and a principality for Godoy (Treaty of Fontainebleau).
On March 18, 1808, a riot exploded in Aranjuez. The mutiny, led by nobles and clergy, sought the dismissal of Godoy and the abdication of Charles IV to end Godoy’s influence.
The Monarchy of Joseph Bonaparte
The rioters achieved their objectives, highlighting a crisis in the Spanish monarchy. Charles IV wrote to Napoleon to regain the throne. The Emperor decided to invade Spain, occupy the throne, and annex the country to his empire. Ferdinand VI and Charles VII were summoned by Napoleon to Bayonne (France), where they renounced the throne and appointed Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte King of Spain. To ratify this and announce his future intentions, he convened the Cortes of Bayonne in June, granting a constitution for the country.
With little support and total incomprehension, Joseph Bonaparte attempted a series of reforms intended to break with the old regime:
- Seized part of the lands of the church
- Split the land of “dead hands” (mayorazgos)
- Legislated the end of the manorial system
The Statute of Bayonne recognized the equality of Spaniards before the law, the abolition of internal customs, and access to public office. Finally, he suppressed the Inquisition and began reforming the administration.
The Cortes of Cadiz and the 1812 Constitution
The Formation Process of the Cortes
Since the beginning of the war in the summer of 1808, provincial and local boards governing the resistance sent representatives to form a central supreme board to coordinate war actions and lead the country during the conflict. The board recognized Ferdinand VII as the Spanish king. Faced with the advancing French, the board moved to Seville and from there (1810) to Cadiz, the only city that, aided by the British, resisted the French siege.
The board, generally incapable of directing the war, decided to convene a parliament in which representatives of the nation would decide its organization and destiny. In January 1810, it dissolved itself to maintain a regency of five members.
In September 1810, the Cortes opened, with the liberal sector forming a single chamber. They approved the principle of national sovereignty, recognizing that power resides in the people and is expressed through the Cortes formed by representatives of the nation.
The 1812 Constitution
The Constitution was promulgated on March 19, 1812 (La Pepa). It contained a declaration of citizens’ rights: freedom of the press, equality of Spaniards before the law, etc. The nation was defined as the set of all citizens.
The structure of the state corresponded to a limited monarchy, based on the separation of powers. Legislative power resided in the national will and had broad powers, such as the drafting of laws. The electoral system was fixed in the Constitution: universal male suffrage and indirect election.
Other decrees of the Cortes of Cadiz included the removal of dominions, freedom of work, abolition of guilds, cancellation of the Inquisition, and disentailments.
The monarch was the head of executive power, directing the government and intervening in the preparation of laws.
Reign of Ferdinand VII
Postwar Crisis and Return to Absolutism
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Ferdinand VII returned to Spain and everyone is happy. The absolutists believe that this restaurant absolutism and liberals want to sign the Constitution. Ferdinand VII perl signed a decree which annulled the 1812 constitution and restored absolute monarchy. Find and capture the Liberals who have to flee.
Who supports Ferdinand VII? The nobility, the clergy and the army.
Who against? Intellectuals and military sectors.
The economic crisis due to the failure of many industries and the lack of taxes and war, VII s’arruina duties are causing many pronunicaments (destruction Gobern to put another one) but without success. Only one statement is successful. The Colonel Rafael del Riego which supported all the liberals and the consent of Ferdinand VII to restore the Constitution.
Liberal Triennium 1820-1823.
These three years of liberalism. The triumph of Irrigation is received with enthusiasm. Even absolutists have to hide who plan to overthrow the liberal Gobern. Within two Liberals creative side: the moderates who still do not want to fuck off and all the king must say that exalted fotra Aballí fast.
Countries where there are afraid the absolutism libreals Spanish. So with the help of these countries Ferdinand VII calls a French army which will restore absolutrisme in Spain.
Ominous Decade: 1823-1833
Is a decade of terror. Liberals are repressed and persecuted in a beast. S’en loaded and that is criticized by many European monarchies passa.A think that it is moderating from 1826 and is frowned upon by the apostolic or malcontent who does not think they should loosen and defend the brother of Ferdinand VII, Charles Mary Isidracu which would think that tough. The bounce is maclontents 1827.
War malcontent. Santi salutes.
Begin to bounce up the malcon which rose in several cities in the state. This s’acava account with a strong suppression of Charles of Spain which ended with malcontent. S’acava war but not the problems ….