The Spanish Restoration: Alfonso XII and the Cánovas System
The Reign of Alfonso XII and the Cánovas System
Martínez Campos’s pronouncement ended the Democratic Sexenio, initiating the Restoration. This preparation was preceded by three key factors: the pacification of the country, international recognition of Prince Alfonso, and the acceptance of the monarchy by public opinion. These factors were sequenced in phases, as the military regime headed by Serrano ruled the country for eleven months, focusing on restoring order after the riots. The Manifesto of Sandhurst was crucial in gaining public acceptance for the monarchy of Alfonso XII. Finally, Martínez Campos’s pronouncement in favor of Alfonso de Bourbon, though a setback for Cánovas’s preferred civilian route, initiated the new era.
Foundations of the Cánovas System
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo organized the system, assuming the regency until the King’s arrival in Spain. He was a conservative who based the new regime on a liberal parliamentary system. The ruling was welcomed primarily by conservative groups. The new regime sought to overcome the problems of previous liberalism, specifically the partisan and exclusionary nature of the Moderates, military intervention, and civil strife. The foundations of this system were laid in the Constitution of 1876.
Key Actions of Cánovas’s First Government
Cánovas was the first to take power. His initial actions included:
- The end of the Carlist conflict, which resulted in the reform of the Foral regime to create a modern and efficient administration.
- The end of the war in Cuba, as established by the Peace of Zanjón in 1878. However, this did not prevent the Cuban problem from persisting, with the U.S. encouraging independence by supporting insurgents both inside and outside Cuba.
The Cánovas system was implemented through the 1876 Constitution, which was moderate and eclectic, proving to be highly effective.
The Constitution of 1876: Legislative Structure
The system of representation established two legislative chambers with equal powers:
- The Congress of Deputies: Composed of at least one member over 25 years old for every 50,000 inhabitants.
- The Senate: Composed of the sons of kings, and those elected for life by corporations and major contributors, maintaining a restricted suffrage for this chamber.
Elections were governed by different electoral laws, but all were subject to the franchise established by the Cortes.
Royal Prerogatives and Centralism
The King came of age at 16 years. The monarch retained executive power, shared legislative power with the Cortes, and held the power to dissolve all or part of the Cortes. Cánovas’s centralist attitude was patent in the unity of codes, driving patent laws throughout the country.
Church-State Relations and Social Policy
In church-state relations, the Catholic religion was declared the official state religion. Administrative and political reforms undertaken by Cánovas also focused on:
- The Free Institution of Teaching (Institución Libre de Enseñanza), whose mission was educational freedom, academic freedom, and science.
- Trade unions and workers’ associations, which, having been banned in 1874, remained active in hiding.
The Practice of Turnismo and Caciquismo
Finishing his period, Cánovas’s government made preparations for elections designed to simulate the existence of a democratic regime. The result was political stability achieved at the expense of marginalizing opposing forces. The Prime Minister was appointed from one of the leaders of the two main parties, who would take turns in power (Turnismo). The President chose his government, and the Minister of Governance was in charge of “making the box”—calculating the adjudication of members for the ruling party. Governors established a network of contacts with local chiefs (Caciques) so that they could control, directly or indirectly, large groups of people, ensuring through pressure that the election results would meet expectations.