1. SPAIN: THE RESTORATION, LIBERALISM AND DEMOCRATIC IDEAS

THE REIGN OF FERNANDO VII (1814–1833)

The absolutist phase (1814–1820)

The liberal phase (1820–1823)

The ominous decade (1823–1833)

Fernando VII enjoyed the support of the Spanish people, the Cádiz Cortes and the absolutists

absolutists wanted a return to the Ancien Régime, as outlined in the Persian Manifesto

Fernando VII agreed with the absolutists' demands, so he dismissed the Cortes

abolished the Constitution of 1812 and re-established absolute monarchy

a period of political instability followed, as some liberals organised military coups designed to overthrow absolutism

1820, a coup led by Riego and Quiroga succeeded

Fernando VII was forced to reinstate the Constitution of 1812

guarantee the freedoms that had been suppressed during the previous phase

1823 Fernando VII asked the Holy Alliance for assistance

sent a French army, the 100 000 Sons of St Louis', who defeated the liberals

Fernando VII re-established the absolute monarchy and persecuted the liberals

Fernando VII proclaimed his Pragmatic Sanction

replaced Salic law, which had been in place since Felipe V's reign and which excluded females from the line of succession

Pragmatic Sanction meant that on Fernando VII's death, his daughter Isabel became queen

This angered Fernando's brother Carlos, and became a source of conflict

THE REIGN OF ISABEL II

The crown retained power, but this power was shared with the Cortes, which the crown could call and dissolve

The queen was supported by the liberal political parties, the Moderates and the Progressives

Various constitutions were approved, depending on which party was in government

Progressive constitution in 1837

Moderate constitution in 1845

military participated actively in politics, as heads of government and ministers, and also leading military revolts to acquire more power

1833 to 1843, when Isabel was still a minor, two regents governed in her name: her mother, María Cristina Bourbon, and General Espartero

first Carlist War (1833–1839)

because Fernando VII's brother Carlos claimed the throne

liberals supported Isabel II in exchange for the government becoming more liberal

1843 Isabel II reached the age of majority, although she was only 13 years old

alternation in power between the Moderates and Progressives

second Carlist War (1846–1849)

war was caused by Isabel II's refusal to marry Carlos Luis Bourbon, the Carlist claimant

If they had married, the succession dispute would have ended

Spain's division into 49 provinces

social instability caused by discontent among the peasants over poor working conditions

The crisis and the end of Isabel II's reign

manipulation of election results by successive governments

new political parties who opposed the monarchy

Democrats, who believed in universal manhood suffrage, and the Republicans, who wanted Spain to be a republic

poor harvests and by a halt in railway construction

unemployment increased and many small and medium investors were ruined

THE DEMOCRATIC SEXENNIUM (1868–1874)

The provisional government (1868–1870):

General Serrano, who was regent, and General Prim

They also called the Constituent Cortes in order to write a new constitution

The constitutional monarchy (1871 –1873):

Constitution of 1869 was 19th-century Spain's most democratic constitution

introduced universal manhood suffrage, freedom of religion, and guaranteed a range of other rights and freedoms

established a constitutional monarchy

Amadeo of Savoy, the son of the Italian king, Victor Emmanuel II, was named King Amadeo I of Spain

third Carlist War (1872–1876) began because the provisional government had not chosen the Carlist candidate, Carlos VII, as king

Amadeo abdicated because he faced opposition from both the Republicans and the supporters of Alfonso, Isabel II's son

The First Republic (1873–1874):

third Carlist War continued, and Alfonso's supporters rejected the republic

were revolts in Andalucía, Levante and Murcia that demanded the creation of a federal republic

main problem the republic faced was the divisions among the Republicans

federal republic, divided into 17 federal states

centralised, or unitary, republic, in which the central government would control all the political and administrative institutions

there were four different presidents in one year:

Figueras

Pi y Margall

Salmerón

Castelar