The Reign of Isabel II: Crises, Liberalism, and the Fall of the Monarchy

Posted on Sep 29, 2025 in History

Support for Isabel II and the Liberal Shift

The main support for the regime of Isabel II came from the Elizabethan faction of the nobility, officials, and a section of the church hierarchy. Facing Carlism, the monarchy realized the need to broaden its social base and was forced to seek membership among the Liberals. Isabel II agreed to the demands of the Liberals, who in turn demanded an end to absolutism.

Consequences of the Desamortización (Confiscation)

The policy of *Desamortización* (disentailment) was intended to provide more modest peasants with a means to supplement their income. However, the confiscation did not solve the underlying issues:

  • Those who could afford to buy the confiscated lands were primarily the nobility.
  • The situation of the peasantry did not improve; they remained laborers dependent on large landowners.
  • The policy ultimately favored the bourgeoisie, who became new landlords. This process served as a means of raising money for state plans.

The problems were not remedied, leading to several major crises. For example, the economic and financial crisis of the railway sector led to bankruptcies and increased the tax burden on the population.

The Triple Crisis of 1866

The crisis that marked the end of the reign of Isabel II was multifaceted, encompassing political, economic, and social dimensions.

Political Crisis

  • The governments of González Bravo and Narváez developed highly conservative and repressive policies.
  • This led to the isolation of the Moderate Party and the Crown, which were deprived of social and political support.
  • Progressive and democratic political factions were marginalized, allowing the Moderates to monopolize government.
  • The regime strengthened royal power and only benefited a wealthy oligarchy through restricted suffrage.

Economic Crisis

  • Spain was affected by a strong depression across Europe.
  • In 1866, there was a failure of banks and companies.
  • An agricultural crisis occurred, caused by crop failure and drought.
  • A subsistence crisis took place, leading to scarcity and hunger.
  • A serious financial crisis ensued, with railway values and all exchange rates falling, which further increased the tax burden.

Social Crisis

There was widespread malaise among the financial bourgeoisie and the popular sectors due to tax hikes and unemployment.

Instability and the Failure of the Moderate Order

Reasons the Moderate Order Did Not Consolidate

  • Governmental Instability: Governments failed to provide political stability to the state. For instance, there were three governments in 1846 and four the following year.
  • Arbitrary Rule: Governments arbitrarily manipulated elections and reduced the importance of the legislature.
  • Failed Reform: Bravo Murillo proposed a constitutional reform that involved the disappearance of the parliamentary system and a return to a system similar to the Royal Charter, but this proposal failed.
  • Revolution: The Revolution of 1854 demonstrated the regime’s fragility.

Reasons for Spain’s Delayed Modernization

Several factors contributed to the backwardness of modernization in Spain:

  • Lack of capital to invest in new industries.
  • Agriculture could not provide the necessary capital.
  • The creation of large industries was dependent on state aid and foreign capital.
  • Lack of investment in agriculture to increase productivity.
  • The peasant population had low purchasing power, which limited demand for products and prevented the release of labor to industry.
  • Insufficient energy resources, such as coal.
  • Low cultural level of the population (about 60% of the population was illiterate).
  • Political instability, compounded by the limitations of liberal revolutions and confiscations.

The Fall of Isabel II and the Democratic Sexennium

The final stage of Isabel II’s monarchy was marked by severe economic problems. The Pact of Ostend was signed, calling for the expulsion of the Bourbons. In 1868, a declaration by Generals Serrano and Prim led to the revolution that expelled Isabel II. The revolution triumphed, and Isabel abandoned her reign.

The Provisional Government and Amadeo I

A Provisional Government was constituted, chaired by Serrano, and the Constitution of 1869 was approved. Serrano was named Regent, and Prim was tasked with finding a new king for Spain: Amadeo I of Savoy. When Prim was murdered, two major conflicts erupted: an insurrection in Cuba and a new Carlist War.

The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)

Due to the emergency, a republic was proclaimed. The First Republic faced severe internal problems, primarily the division between monarchists and Republicans, and among Republicans themselves (those who wanted a federal republic versus those who wanted unity). This indecision led to the eruption of the Cantonalist movement. The Republic lasted only 11 months until General Serrano’s government was overthrown by another coup, which restored the Bourbon monarchy.