The Revolutionary Six Year Period in Spain (1868-1874)
After signing the Pact of Ostend in 1866, progressives and Democrats from Ostend, along with members of the government and the crown, initiated events that followed the release of “La Gloriosa” in 1868. This revolution ended the reign of Isabella II, who left for France without abdicating, leading to a provisional government under General Francisco Serrano, Duke de la Torre, and prominent figures like Juan Prim and Juan Bautista Topete.
The Revolutionary Six Year Period
Thus began the so-called Revolutionary Six Year Period (1868-1874), which involved the implementation of democratic liberalism, extending political participation to the middle and lower classes. The revolution of 1868 initiated a period of social and political reform that went beyond a mere change of government. It established a democratic government that sought to address the interests of various social groups, whether in the form of a monarchy or a republic. This period also saw the beginnings of industrialization, with Asturian blast furnaces surpassing the Andalusian ones that had flourished previously. While Asturian iron was of lower quality, it was much cheaper.
Causes of the End of Isabella’s Reign
The causes that led to the end of Isabella’s reign were primarily a crisis in the political system. Governments were dominated by political moderates who were conservative, repressive, and authoritarian. They acted outside the constitution, excluding liberals and Democrats from the government. The democracies were fictitious, as the majority of citizens (peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie) had no right to political participation. Fiscal fraud was rampant, and no government dared to convene elections that they were sure to lose. Another cause was the depression, mainly triggered by the global financial crisis of 1866, which caused the collapse of the stock market, a slowdown in rail transport, and the failure of banks and companies. This affected the Catalan textile industry and was compounded by a subsistence crisis caused by poor harvests, leading to increased hunger and death. Adding to this was the declining prestige of the crown, linked to the policies of the moderates. The image of the queen and the court was tarnished in the eyes of the people.
The Pact of Ostend and “La Gloriosa”
This resulted in the signing of the Pact of Ostend, where progressive Democrats agreed to convene a new Constituent Assembly and take action against Isabella II. The opposition parties (led by Juan Prim, representing the progressives, and General Serrano, Duke de la Torre, representing the Liberal Union, along with the Democrats) chose revolutionary movement through a military coup led by Topete in Cadiz to implement universal suffrage and dethrone Isabella II, due to the impossibility of achieving power through legal means. This led to the Revolution of 1868, “La Gloriosa,” which ended in the defeat of the government and crown at the Battle of Alcolea (Córdoba) and the exile of Isabella II to France.
The Interim Government
The rebel soldiers entered Spain in October 1868, and an interim government was formed, excluding the Democratic Party. Serrano became the president, and Prim became the minister and strongman of the government. Elections were held, relatively clean, with 70% of the electorate participating. These elections occurred in an atmosphere of controversy over the form of state: Monarchy or Republic, ultimately resulting in the victory of progressive monarchists who dominated discussions and votes in the Courts charged with drafting a new constitution.
Challenges Faced by the Government
That government faced several challenges:
- Discontent among Republicans when the government leaned toward monarchy.
- Opposition from Carlists.
- The agricultural crisis of 1867 and 1868, leading to a rebellion by Andalusian peasants, agricultural riots, and land occupations, such as the revolt of 1867 in the plain of Granada, centered in Loja.
- Disappointment among political parties.
- The war in Cuba (1868-1878), one of the few remaining Spanish colonies in America, which led to another major problem.
But the biggest problem they faced was finding a king, since neither Isabella II and his heir (the future Alfonso XII) or the option Carlist were valid options.