LA CRISIS DEL ANTIGUO RÉGIMEN (1788-1833) | Historia de España 🇪🇸

The Crisis of the Absolute Monarchy in Spain

Introduction to Historical Context

• At the beginning of the 19th century, Spain was an absolutist kingdom influenced by Enlightenment ideas from France, which led to significant political changes.

• Napoleon Bonaparte is introduced as a pivotal figure in contemporary history, impacting Spain's political landscape.

The War of Independence and Its Significance

• Professor José Antonio Lucero discusses how the War of Independence marked a crisis for the Bourbon dynasty and initiated liberal movements leading to Spain's first constitution.

• Liberalism proposed essential societal changes, emphasizing individual rights over birthright and establishing national sovereignty.

Background Leading to Conflict

• The War of Independence (1808-1814) was preceded by fears stemming from the French Revolution, prompting King Carlos IV to implement strict measures against revolutionary ideas.

• Tensions escalated after Louis XVI's execution; Spain declared war on France in 1793, resulting in military defeats and alliances that would shape future conflicts.

Key Events Preceding the Invasion

• The Treaty of San Ildefonso (1796), following Spanish defeat, led to a military pact with France against England.

• The Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807) allowed French troops access through Spanish territory under pretense but revealed Napoleon’s true intentions for control over Spain.

Political Turmoil and Abdications

• Amidst confusion about royal authority, the Mutiny of Aranjuez occurred when Fernando VII instigated public unrest against Godoy, leading to Carlos IV's abdication.

• Both kings were summoned to Bayonne where Napoleon forced Fernando VII’s abdication in favor of his brother Joseph Bonaparte as king.

Outbreak and Phases of the War

Initial Uprisings Against French Rule

• The uprising on May 2nd, 1808, marked the start of widespread resistance against French occupation centered in Madrid.

Early Resistance Efforts

• Following initial conquests by French forces post-uprising, notable events included mass executions aimed at suppressing rebellion depicted famously in Goya’s painting "The Third of May."

Shifts in Military Dynamics

• Despite early victories like Bailén (July 1808), subsequent years saw increased French dominance until guerrilla warfare tactics emerged as a response.

The Spanish War of Independence: Key Events and Consequences

Allied Counteroffensive and French Defeats

• The allied counteroffensive, supported by the British, led to significant victories against the French in Spain. Wellington's victory at Arapiles on July 22, 1812, marked a crucial weakening of French forces.

• Subsequent Spanish victories included the Battle of Victoria on June 16, 1813, and the Battle of San Marcial on August 31, 1813. These successes ultimately forced a French retreat from Spain.

Consequences of the War

• The war resulted in high mortality rates, halted productive activities, abandoned lands and crops, destruction of industry, and significant loss of American territories previously held by Spain.

• Political consequences included the emergence of three main political factions: afrancesados (pro-French), liberals (supporting constitutional measures), and absolutists (favoring absolute monarchy). Each group had distinct views on governance during this tumultuous period.

Political Dynamics During the War

• Afrancesados supported revolutionary measures under Joseph Bonaparte but faced opposition from both liberals who wanted Fernando VII back as king and absolutists who sought to restore absolute monarchy. This created a complex political landscape amid foreign occupation.

• Many Spaniards formed provincial juntas as local governing bodies to manage political affairs while rejecting Joseph Bonaparte's legitimacy due to perceived authority vacuums created by his rule. These juntas were characterized by their revolutionary stance against French invaders.

Formation of Central Authority

• In September 1808, a Supreme Central Junta was established to consolidate power among various provincial juntas and called for constituent courts in 1809; it later became known as the Regency Council for Spain and its Indies. This council aimed to unify efforts against French control.

• Elections for constituent courts were held on September 24, 1810; these courts convened primarily in Cádiz due to its strategic location away from French influence. They represented diverse interests including merchants and some clergy members alongside liberal reformers seeking change from old regime constraints.

Constitutional Developments

• The Constitution was approved on March 19, 1812 (St. Joseph's Day), marking Spain’s first constitution influenced by Enlightenment ideals and the French Revolution principles such as national sovereignty and separation of powers. It introduced universal male suffrage along with civil liberties like property rights and freedom from guild restrictions in industry.

• Following Spanish victory in the war (by 1814), Fernando VII returned from exile aiming to reclaim his throne amidst conflicting desires between liberal groups wanting constitutional monarchy versus absolutist factions desiring restoration without concessions to liberalism—leading him to be dubbed "the Desired."

Restoration Attempts Post-War

• Upon returning in 1814, Fernando VII faced pressure from both sides: liberals advocating for constitutional governance based on the new constitution versus absolutists pushing for a return to pre-war monarchical practices without reforms or compromises with liberal ideologies.

• General Elío presented Fernando with "the Manifesto of the Persians," which garnered support for restoring traditional regime principles over liberal reforms—ultimately leading Fernando VII towards reinstating absolute monarchy between 1814–1820 despite earlier revolutionary changes that had taken place during his absence from power.

The Absolutist Sexenio and the Rise of Liberalism in Spain

The Context of the Absolutist Sexenio

• The absolutist sexenio is characterized by the abolition of the Cádiz Constitution and systematic persecution of Spanish liberals. Fernando VII's government lacked a clear program, focusing instead on personal interests within his close circle.

• A significant agrarian crisis and fiscal issues arose due to colonial losses in America, prompting liberal groups to conspire against the absolutist regime. One notable conspiracy succeeded on January 1, 1820, led by Rafael de Riego.

The Triumph of Liberalism

• Riego's uprising was supported by troops heading to Cádiz to quell independence movements in America but instead took place in Sevilla. This led to King Fernando VII accepting a liberal system through sanctioning the 1812 Constitution.

• Between 1820 and 1823, the Trienio Liberal emerged, expanding upon measures from the 1812 Constitution. However, divisions arose among liberals: moderates sought shared sovereignty with good relations with the church while progressives aimed for total national sovereignty and broader suffrage.

External Influences and Repression

• Fernando VII received support from other European absolutist monarchies through the Holy Alliance (Prussia, Russia, France, Austria), which sent military aid to Spain in 1823 known as "the hundred thousand sons of Saint Louis," effectively ending liberalism and reinstating absolutism for ten years.

The Ominous Decade

• This period marked a decade-long resurgence of persecution against liberals. Despite this repression, some reforms were initiated that aimed at progress without breaking from the old regime—such as creating a commercial code and establishing Banco de San Fernando.

• Discontent grew within absolutist factions leading them to support Don Carlos, brother of Fernando VII. Future developments regarding this internal conflict will be explored in subsequent discussions.