War Crisis and Revolution in Spain (1800-1814)
The War Crisis of the Old Regime and Revolution (1800-1814)
Old Regime: Stage before the French Revolution, Modern.
Absolute Monarchy: The king has all the powers, supposedly given by God.
Stratified Society: Society is divided into estates. The law favored the privileged, who lived more comfortably. Two classes:
- Privileged: Nobility and high clergy (not taxed).
- Not Privileged: Peasants, bourgeoisie, and lower clergy (pay taxes).
Manorial Economy: Wealth was in the land, which was in the hands of the nobility.
Absolutists: Supporters of the former regime (nobility and higher clergy).
Liberals: Advocates of change in the status quo (farmers, bourgeoisie).
Charles IV was the absolute monarch of Spain, but was ruled by his favorite, Godoy.
With Godoy in government, there was French dependency (Napoleon). Godoy signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau with Napoleon. This treaty allowed the passage of French troops through Spain to Portugal and for the conquest of England. Napoleon also wanted to stay in Spain, leading to the War of Independence.
Serious problems with the state treasury and social unrest: Epidemics, bread prices rising.
After this, the Mutiny of Aranjuez occurred, where the people wanted Charles IV to abdicate and remove Godoy for a change of government in 1808. They wanted Ferdinand VII, son of Charles IV.
Napoleon did not like this and took Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to Bayonne, where Ferdinand VII abdicated in favor of Charles IV, who in turn abdicated in favor of Joseph I, brother of Napoleon. The population did not want a French king, which generated the popular uprising of May 2, 1808. After the riot, the War of Independence began (1808-1814), an international conflict: Spain, Portugal, and England against France. A civil war broke out between Francophiles (supporters of the French) and patriots (opposed to the French occupation).
The War of Independence
Stage 1: May to October 1808. The French army’s inability to dominate the Iberian Peninsula. The defeat of French troops in Bailén (Jaén). The Spanish troops were liberated by General Castaños. Then Joseph I left Spain, and the British supported the Spanish against France.
Stage 2: October 1808 – July 1812. This stage is characterized by French military hegemony (fall).
Stage 3: July 1812 to 1814. A massive offensive by the allied army, which culminated in the expulsion and loss of French troops. Three wins: Battle of Arapiles (Salamanca), Battle of Vitoria (Vitoria), and the Battle of San Marcial (Guipúzcoa). The War of Independence ended with the Treaty of Valençay. Napoleon recognized Ferdinand VII as King of Spain.
Political Revolution
During the War of Independence, juntas were created to coordinate military actions and create agencies. These were formed by people elected by citizens.
The Supreme Central Junta was established to coordinate the activities of all juntas and convened the Cortes of Cádiz in 1810. Members met, without estates.
- Members:
- Absolutists: Absolute Monarchy.
- Liberals: Sovereignty resides in the Cortes (town).
- Center: Power sharing between the king and the Cortes.
Liberal ideas were imposed by a majority, and the Constitution of 1812 (La Pepa) was adopted. Sovereignty resides in the people (national sovereignty).
It claims the separation of powers: Executive power is vested in the king. Legislative power resides in the Cortes. Judicial power rests in the court.
It recognizes individual rights (freedom). Proclamation of Catholicism as the unique official religion of the state. It installed universal suffrage and created a national militia (defending the constitution). This included social and economic measures and suppressed the Inquisition and the guilds.