The Restoration in Spain (1874-1923)
The Political System Restoration
The Restoration was not just the return of Alfonso XII to the throne, but also a period characterized by a well-regarded socio-economic and political system. The Restoration meant the end of the revolutionary and democratic cycle of 1968-1874 and a return to the monarchy.
To understand the return of the Bourbons to the Spanish throne, several factors must be taken into account:
- The inability of the 1st Republic to resolve conflicts.
- The lack of social opposition to the Restoration.
- The strength of the social groups who favored a change in the political system.
- The landed gentry, military officers, businessmen, prestigious urban professionals, the highest echelons of the church, and the Spanish planters in the Caribbean islands were convinced that the Bourbon Restoration guaranteed peace and order, which were crucial for business.
Cánovas, the Architect of the Restoration
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was the architect of the Restoration. Elizabeth II’s abdication in favor of her son Alfonso XII and the Manifesto of Sandhurst, where the future king promised a constitutional government, succeeded in uniting all conservative and moderate forces behind the Restoration.
But despite Cánovas’ efforts, the Restoration came about through a military uprising. The impatience of the soldiers forced the issue. General Martínez Campos led a pronunciamiento in Sagunto in 1874 and proclaimed Alfonso XII King of Spain.
A government headed by Cánovas was formed, and with the arrival of Alfonso XII to Spain, the foundations of the Constitution were repaired.
The Political Ideas of the Restoration
The political ideas of the Restoration were those of Cánovas. His thinking can be summarized as follows:
- The Monarchy: Its existence should not be questioned.
- The Courts: The King and the Parliament were very important for the nation.
The basis of the system was formed by the Conservative Party, led by Cánovas, and the Liberal Party, led by Sagasta. Between these two parties was the figure of the king, who controlled the power.
The system of turnismo (alternating power) resulting from these two parties provided stability to the regime.
The Constitution of 1878
The salient features of the Constitution of 1878 are:
- Principle of Shared Sovereignty: Power resided in the Courts and the King. The King represented tradition, and the Courts represented the nation.
- Bicameral Court: The Congress of Deputies, elected by limited suffrage until 1890 when universal male suffrage was introduced, and the Senate. There were three classes of senators:
- Lifetime: Appointed by the king.
- “In their own right”: Grandees of Spain, higher echelons of the church, and military.
- Chosen by restricted suffrage: For high contributors.
- Affirmation of the Crown at the Heart of the State and Expansion of the King’s Powers: The King had the power to elect the prime minister and appoint senators. He also had executive power and the ability to summon, suspend, or dissolve Parliament, and was the supreme commander of the armed forces.
- Recognition of Rights and Liberties: Groups opposed to the regime could organize and assemble.
- Affirmation of Religious Freedom and Recognition of Catholicism as the Official Religion of Spain.
The Constitution was designed to guarantee the political alternation of the two major parties: the Conservative Party, led by Cánovas, and the Liberal Party, led by Sagasta.
These two parties reached an agreement to share power in the government every two or three years, ensuring that neither of them remained out of power. The change of power was ensured by falsifying the elections through what was called the encasillado, which involved the planning of election results by the caciques, who were individuals with economic and social influence who controlled and pressured groups of people to ensure that election results were in line with expectations.
The Evolution of the Regime
The Conservative Party ruled from 1875-1880. Its most important actions were:
- The Peace: Rapid resolution of conflicts: The Carlist Wars and the Ten Years’ War in Cuba.
- Centralization: The Law of 1876, which abolished the Basque-Navarre privileges.
- The establishment of a new tariff in 1877 to raise rates, which strengthened trade protectionism and defended Spanish products against foreign competition.
- The Electoral Law of 1878: Reinstated restricted suffrage and limited the right to vote to men over 25 years of age.
- The Press Law: Limited freedom of speech and imposed penalties on publications that attacked religion, the army, or the crown.
From 1881-1884, the Liberal Party ruled. Its actions were aimed at reversing some of the restrictions of the previous period.
From 1884-1885, the Conservative Party returned to power.
Alfonso XII died in 1885, and his wife, Maria Cristina of Habsburg, became regent. Cánovas resigned, and Sagasta was charged with forming the new government as a result of the Pact of El Pardo.
The Regency coincided with the second Liberal government (1886-1890). During this period, important measures were adopted:
- Abolition of press censorship and expansion of freedoms of expression and academic freedom.
- New Association Law to promote the legalization of the activities of labor organizations and unions.
- Establishment of universal male suffrage for men over 25 years of age.
- The Civil Code of 1889, which provided for the legal coexistence of canonical and civil marriage.