The Regency of Maria Cristina and Espartero in Spain (1833-1843)
ELIZABETH II: THE REGENCY (1833-1843)
Maria Cristina, Regent of Naples (1833-1840)
This period was marked by the First Carlist War and the gradual implementation of the liberal system. This division produced two main currents of liberalism:
- Moderates: Supporters of shared sovereignty, the prevalence of order and authority over freedom, and compromise with the nobility and the church.
- Progressives: Advocates of national sovereignty, individual freedoms, economic and social reform programs.
Besides instability, there were permanently continuing changes in government. These political changes resulted from decisions made by the ruling powers due to external pressures.
Moderate Government:
Martinez de la Rosa: Initiated the transition to the liberal system through timid reforms and the Royal Statute. This statute established shared sovereignty, bicameral courts with an Estate of Peers (Upper House) designated by the Queen, and an Establishment of Solicitors (Lower House) elected by severely restricted suffrage.
Progressive Governments:
Progressives accessed power after the urban riots of 1835. These governments established reforms and the Confiscation of 1836, driven by Mendizabal. This consisted of the nationalization of goods from monasteries and convents, which were subsequently sold in public auctions. This aimed to retrieve economic resources to address the debt from the First Carlist War and create a social group linked to liberalism. However, it also strained relations with the church, and many of the secularized clergy joined the Carlist cause.
The Regent opposed enforcing the 1812 Constitution, leading to the Mutiny of the Sergeants of La Granja. This resulted in the 1837 Constitution, which recovered some of the progressive principles of the 1812 Constitution. Its characteristics showed a moderate form of liberalism (national sovereignty, broad individual rights, bicameral Congress with Deputies and Senate, extended powers to the Crown with veto power, and census suffrage – 2% of the male population). Other reforms included the abolition of Lordships, Primogeniture, and Tithes, freedom of commerce and industry, reorganization of the army directed by Espartero, and a return to the Law of Municipalities.
Fall of Maria Cristina:
From 1837, the Moderates returned to government. Their attempt to reform the Municipal Law triggered popular uprisings that forced Maria Cristina into exile.
Espartero Regency (1841-1843):
Espartero, a national hero after his victory in the First Carlist War, became Regent. He continued the economic reforms by adopting free trade but did not bring political stability due to his authoritarian methods. The Bombardment of Barcelona and conflicts arising from his free trade policies led to the withdrawal of support from many Moderates and Progressives. The opposition to Espartero culminated in a new uprising led by General Narvaez, leader of the Moderates. Espartero renounced the regency and went into exile, anticipating the coming of age of Elizabeth II at 13 years old.
Queen Elizabeth II
After the fall of Espartero in 1843, a transitional period began, anticipating the coming of age of Isabella II (13 years old) with no political preparation. In 1844, Narvaez took the reins of power and inaugurated a long period of Moderate government.
Moderate Decade (1843-1854):
Political Objectives of the Moderates:
To finally consolidate a centralized and uniform liberal state, achieve political stability for economic development, and consolidate the bourgeoisie.
Achievements:
- New Constitution of 1845: Aligned with Moderate thinking, it established shared sovereignty between the nation and the Crown, increasing the Crown’s powers, including legislative power. It established bicameral courts with a Congress elected by restricted suffrage (1%) and a Senate designated by the Queen. It included very limited freedoms, a state-recognized church, and did not include freedom of religion.
- Creation of the Civil Guard (1844): Replaced the National Militia, which was suppressed. It was a professional police force, national in scope and controlled by the government.
- Centralizing Legislation: Established uniform laws, such as the tax reform that set the same tax status for everyone through a “consumption” tax. It reformed local and provincial administration, with the government appointing civilian governors for the provinces and mayors for town halls. It also included the publication of the Penal Code, reform of the administration of justice, and the establishment of the decimal metric system.
- Concordat of 1851: Allowed reconciliation with the church. The Holy See recognized the confiscation, and the state recognized Catholicism as the official religion and took over the maintenance of the clergy.
Political Problems:
Political discontent arose due to the lack of individual freedoms and repression, corruption, economic policies, and the exclusion of the majority from the political system. The opposition resorted to force:
- Carlists: Second Carlist War (1846-1849).
- Progressives: Failed pronouncements, such as in 1848.
- Democrats: Emerged from the Progressive left with a program centered on the defense of universal suffrage.
The Moderates also faced internal divisions. From 1851, political corruption and authoritarianism led to growing discontent within a sector of Moderate supporters who wanted to respect the parliamentary system and incorporate elements of the Progressive system. From this “Puritan” sector, led by O’Donnell and Serrano, the Liberal Union would emerge.
Progressive Biennium (1854-1856):
Origin:
The Revolution of 1854 resulted from the confluence of O’Donnell’s pronouncement in Vicálvaro, accompanied by the Manifesto of Manzanares written by Cánovas del Castillo. This manifesto promised reforms, expansion of suffrage, and security of the constitutional system. The revolution was led by Progressives and Democrats and caused the fall of the Moderates and the formation of a government headed by Espartero and O’Donnell as Minister of War.
Measures Taken:
a) Development of a new constitution (1856) a progressive national sovereignty, legislative sharing (cuts and crown) cuts bicameral (Senate and Congress elected in 1837 system) extensive individual liberties, religious tolerance, and the draft was never approved const.no at q is called the const. “non cream” de1856.B) economic reform: 1855 madoz Disentailment q affecting church property (secular clergy) and the municipalities.