The Reign of Isabella II and the Rise of Spanish Liberalism
Regency of Maria Cristina (1833-1840)
Elizabeth II’s Claim to the Throne
Born to Ferdinand VII and Maria Cristina, Isabella’s claim to the throne was contested due to the Salic Law of 1713, which prevented female succession. Ferdinand VII amended the law shortly before his death, naming Isabella as his heir. Upon his death, Maria Cristina assumed regency until Isabella came of age. However, Carlist supporters of Carlos María Isidro (Ferdinand’s brother) rejected the change and initiated the First Carlist War.
The Royal Statute (1834)
Maria Cristina implemented the Royal Statute, a charter that failed to recognize national sovereignty, political liberties, or the division of powers, leaving legislative initiative with the monarch. The ongoing civil war and a dire economic situation led to urban rebellions demanding greater political freedom and the transfer of power to progressive politicians like Calatrava and Mendizábal.
Second Liberal Constitution (1837)
Military pressure forced Maria Cristina to restore the 1812 Constitution, an event known as the “Mutiny of La Granja.” A new, more moderate constitution was drafted in 1837. Revolutionary laws were enacted, including the abolition of tithes, the seizure of Church assets, and the dissolution of guilds. Following the First Carlist War, a moderate government passed a law suppressing the right of citizens to elect their officials, leading to further rebellions and Maria Cristina’s resignation.
First Carlist War (1833-1840)
This civil war between Carlists (absolutists supporting Carlos María Isidro) and Isabelline supporters (moderate liberals and some absolutists) raged across Catalonia, Maestrazgo, the Basque Country, and Navarre. Carlist General Ramón Cabrera led an expedition from Maestrazgo to the gates of Madrid. Tomas Zumalacárregui organized and led the Carlist Northern Army. His death marked a turning point. General Espartero (Isabelline) and Carlist General Maroto negotiated the Convention of Vergara, ending the war in the north. Carlos María Isidro rejected the agreement and went into exile in France.
Regency of Espartero (1841-1843)
Following Maria Cristina’s resignation, Espartero, the victor of the First Carlist War, was appointed regent. He ruled dictatorially, repressing moderates and controlling Parliament. His free trade policies threatened industry, leading to opposition from textile manufacturers. A military revolt led by Narváez ousted Espartero, who fled to London.
Elizabeth II’s Reign
Moderate Decade (1844-1854)
Narváez ended Espartero’s regency. Isabella II, aged 13, assumed the throne. Narváez formed a Moderate Party government. The 1845 Constitution granted more power to the Crown and limited suffrage to property owners. Reforms included a Tax Law, Civil Code, Penal Code, and an educational system. A concordat with the Vatican restored Church privileges. Government corruption led to popular uprisings.
Second Carlist War (1846-1849)
Took place in territory of Catalonia. The supporters began the claimant’s son, who tried unsuccessfully to marry her cousin Elizabeth II. Carline The entries were defeated.
The Two Progressive (1854-1856)
It began with a military statement abetted by Leopoldo O’Donell, leader of the Liberal Union. The Manifesto of Manzanares, who wrote Cánovas summarizes the demands of statements. From this began a new political phase that lasted 2 years, which was developing a new charter known as “non-cream”. Espartero formed government, with which they returned to take up radical measures that had character. their irrigation. aplicacció Another measure of a second seizure (1855) Pasqual Madoz, which led to the seizure of communal property. The conseq. This, in part beneficial, were cultivating lands that were unproductive, but also caused a worsening of living conditions of laborers that farmers had little land. The 1855 Act is the railways, which was planned network important for railway desenvol. of capitalism. The 1856 Act was enacted a bank, which facilitate foreign investments.
Return of Moderantisme (1856-1868)
The biennium ended due to the reaction of liberal and moderate pressure from the crown and church sectors. Narvaez was put in charge of the government and there was a predominance of 3 sectors of society: landowners, military conservatives and churches. In these years there were the governments of General Narvaez and O’Donell. The period of greatest prosperity coincided with the government of General O’Donell. The Government was granted a period of good harvests and commercial expansion. Also started a foreign policy in imitation of the major operations of the colonial European powers, and in alliance with France were sending troops to Cochin . Among the illustrated deployed the Democratic Party appeared and republicanism, the first trade unions were created and there will be unrest among the peasant laborer.
Economic Crisis
In 1866 the growth cycle of the railways had come to an end. We face the price of cotton, which led to an industrial crisis and a financial crisis. This coincided with a succession of bad harvests and subsistence crises.
Political Crisis
The unrest spread throughout the country, vancreixer the social upheavals and military conspiracies. There were new progressive pronouncements (General Prim), which were repressed with great hardness (sergeants execute ..). The Court and the Queen consider it every day. As an alternative to the crisis, progressives and Democrats face an alliance against the government of Isabel II.
[Six Revolutionary (1868-1874)]
A group of liberal Democrats and politicians signed a pact in the Belgian city of Ostend, which included an agreement to dethrone Elizabeth II.
Revolution of 1868
The Spanish navy was raised against the monarchy of Isabel II. The uprising lasted for Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia were created together and revolutionary. In a few days the revolution triumphed, that its characters were described by the name of the “Glorious.” The Revolution ended the monarq. Isabel II, and she and her family left Spain and went into exile in France.