The Reign of Charles IV and the Spanish War of Independence
The Reign of Charles IV and the Rise of Godoy
King Charles IV appointed Godoy as Prime Minister. Following the execution of Louis XVI in France, Spain broke its alliance with France and participated in the Convention War.
The Convention War and the Treaty of Basilea
The war generally favored France, with French armies entering the Basque Country and Catalonia. Spain’s defeat led to the signing of the Treaty of Basilea, ceding part of Santo Domingo to France. Spain then realigned with France against Britain in the Treaty of San Ildefonso.
Growing Dependence on France
Napoleon’s rise to power and the weakness of the Spanish government resulted in increased dependence on France. Despite losses for Spain, Godoy maintained the alliance, signing the Treaty of Fontenebleau, which allowed French troops into Spain to take Portugal.
The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1812)
The Aranjuez Mutiny and Abdications
French troops acted as an occupying force. Godoy’s plan to relocate the Spanish Royal Family to Andalusia failed with the Aranjuez Mutiny in 1808, led by Prince Ferdinand. Godoy was dismissed, and Charles IV abdicated in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII.
Napoleon’s Intervention and the Bayonne Statute
Napoleon summoned both Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to Bayonne, where they abdicated in his favor. He then appointed his brother, Joseph, as King of Spain. Joseph attempted to appease illustrated Spaniards with the Bayonne Statute, offering freedoms such as press and commerce freedom and an equal tax system.
Resistance and the Start of the War
While a small group of Spanish ilustrados (afrancesados) supported Joseph I, the Bayonne Statute was largely rejected. Spaniards refused to accept a foreign king, leading to the outbreak of the War of Independence against the French.
Formation of Provincial Juntas and the Central Junta
As the French invasion progressed, uprisings erupted across Spain. Provincial Juntas were formed to confront the invaders, assuming sovereignty in the name of the absent king. These Juntas later formed the Central Junta, which initially favored the Old Regime but adopted revolutionary measures, including calling for Cortes (parliament).
Guerrilla Warfare and British Support
Spanish forces achieved victories against the French, notably at Bailen. However, Napoleon’s arrival intensified the conflict. Guerrilla warfare, supported by the British Army, played a crucial role in resisting the French occupation.
Victory and the Treaty of Valencay
The British General Wellington, aided by Spanish and Portuguese forces, defeated the French in a series of battles, culminating in the Battle of San Marcial (1812). A weakened Napoleon returned the Spanish crown to Ferdinand VII in the Treaty of Valencay, ending the War of Independence.
The Cadiz Cortes and the Constitution of 1812
Power Vacuum and the Rise of Juntas
The Bayonne Abdications created a power vacuum in Spain. Provincial Juntas emerged to fill this void, eventually forming the Central Junta, which assumed regency in the absence of the king. The Extraordinary Juntas of Cadiz initiated revolutionary progress, culminating in the call for Cortes in 1810.
The Constitution of 1812 “La Pep”)
Approved in 1812, the Constitution of 1812 was Spain’s first liberal constitution. Key features included:
- National Sovereignty
- Division of Powers
- Universal Suffrage (for men over 25)
- Constitutional Monarchy
- Catholicism as the Sole Religion
- Abolition of the Inquisition
Ferdinand VII’s Return and the Absolutist Six-Years (1814-1820)
Upon his return, Ferdinand VII rejected the Constitution of 1812 and reinstated absolutist rule. The economic situation was dire, and the king’s refusal to implement tax reforms exacerbated the problems. Liberal military officers staged pronunciamientos (military uprisings) in an attempt to force political change.
The Three-Year Liberal Period (1820-1823) and the Ominous Decade
Riego’s Pronunciamiento and the Return of the Constitution
A successful pronunciamiento led by Riego in 1820 forced Ferdinand VII to accept the Constitution of 1812. However, divisions emerged within the liberal movement between the moderate Doceañistas and the progressive Veinteañistas, leading to political instability.
Foreign Intervention and the Restoration of Absolutism
Following Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna and the Holy Alliance sought to suppress liberal movements across Europe. In 1823, a French army (the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis) intervened in Spain, restoring Ferdinand VII to absolute power.
The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)
Ferdinand VII’s return marked a period of repression, with liberals persecuted and exiled. The king’s succession plans further fueled tensions, leading to the Carlist Wars.
The Succession Crisis and the Carlist Wars
The Salic Law and the Pragmatic Sanction
Initially, Ferdinand VII’s brother, Carlos Maria Isidro, was heir to the throne under the Salic Law. However, the Queen’s pregnancy prompted Ferdinand VII to issue the Pragmatic Sanction, allowing for a female heir.
The Birth of Isabella II and the Carlist Uprising
The birth of Princess Isabella led to Carlos Maria Isidro’s exclusion from the succession. Upon Ferdinand VII’s death, Maria Cristina (his wife) became regent and sought liberal support. Carlos Maria Isidro refused to accept his exclusion, sparking the Carlist Wars between his supporters (Carlists) and those of Isabella II (Isabelinos).