¿DESTROZO la Primera República la unidad de ESPAÑA?

The Rise and Fall of the First Spanish Republic

Introduction to the First Spanish Republic

• The First Spanish Republic emerged as a hopeful alternative to Bourbon rule but faced rapid decline, marked by political instability within just 11 months.

• It was characterized by four presidents, three wars, a cantonal revolution, and a coup d'état, illustrating the chaotic nature of its governance.

Historical Context Leading to the Republic

• To understand the proclamation of the First Republic in 1873, one must look back a century to the French Revolution which alarmed the Bourbon monarchy.

• Napoleon's invasion led to Spain's War of Independence and liberal movements like the Constitution of Cádiz in 1812; however, King Ferdinand VI sought to restore absolutism.

Political Divisions and Civil Strife

• The reign of Isabel II saw deep divisions between Carlists (supporting absolute monarchy) and Isabelinos (advocating for constitutional monarchy), leading to civil war throughout the 19th century.

• Isabel II was eventually overthrown during "La Gloriosa" revolution in 1868, creating a power vacuum that sought a neutral monarch in Amadeo de Saboya.

Proclamation of the First Republic

• On February 10, 1873, Amadeo I abdicated; on February 11, Congress proclaimed the First Spanish Republic with significant support but questionable legality.

• Stanislao Figueras became president amidst uncertainty about whether it would be a federal or unitary republic; this division sparked immediate controversy.

Challenges Faced by Figueras' Government

• International recognition was limited initially; only countries like the USA and Switzerland acknowledged it promptly.

• The new regime inherited universal male suffrage from previous constitutions but faced challenges regarding its implementation and legitimacy.

Early Crises Under Figueras' Leadership

• Figueras’ presidency from February to June 1873 was marked by crises including political fragmentation after radical allies withdrew from government.

• A significant event occurred on February 24 when Barcelona unilaterally declared an independent Catalan state; this highlighted tensions within republican ideals.

Crisis of the Spanish Republic: Internal Struggles and Political Chaos

Attempted Coup and Legislative Suspension

• On April 23, an attempted coup in Madrid was organized by royalist and military factions aiming to restore the monarchy. The failure highlighted the internal and external enemies of the Republic.

• By April, the National Assembly was suspended, dissolving its permanent commission, leading to a significant loss of legislative power and political normalcy.

• Figueras called for elections for Constituent Cortes in May 1873; however, monarchists and many radicals boycotted these elections.

• The resulting parliament was dominated by federal republicans, which did not ensure stability but rather opened doors for further internal conflicts regarding the type of republic to be established.

Fragmentation within Republican Factions

• The Constituent Cortes convened on June 1, 1873, with a seemingly overwhelming republican majority that was actually divided into conflicting factions.

• The far-left faction consisted of intransigents (or socialist Jacobins), advocating for a grassroots Federal Republic focused on deep social reforms.

• Centrally positioned were Pirmargaleanos who sought a top-down approach to federalism—first drafting a constitution before organizing federated states.

• On June 8, despite chaotic sessions marked by individualistic oratory described as maddening by observer Benito Pérez Galdós, the Cortes voted overwhelmingly for a Democratic Federal Republic.

Leadership Crisis Following Figueras' Departure

• Just days after this vote, President Stanislao Figueras resigned amid personal grief and frustration over ineffective debates. He famously declared his exhaustion with politics before disappearing to Paris on June 10.

• In response to Figueras’ departure, intransigents attempted a coup by surrounding Congress; General Contreras took control of the War Ministry with volunteer forces.

• To stabilize governance amidst chaos, Castelar and Salmerón proposed Francisco Piri Margar as president—a respected figure among republicans—who assumed leadership on June 11.

Challenges Faced by New Leadership

• Upon taking office in June 1873, Piri Margar aimed to reconcile various republican factions while promising order and reform amidst growing instability.

• His government’s agenda included ending civil war (Carlist conflict), separating church from state, abolishing slavery in colonies, regulating child labor laws passed on July 24, and restoring communal lands taken during previous disappropriations.

Opposition from Intransigent Faction

• Despite some reforms being initiated under Piri Margar's administration, radical intransigents criticized his measures as insufficiently revolutionary; they demanded more drastic changes including tax abolitions.

• Tensions escalated when on June 20 a commission began drafting a new Federal Constitution while municipal elections were scheduled—contradicting intransigent desires for local sovereignty starting at community levels.

Political Turmoil in Spain: The Rise of Cantonalism

Shift Towards Authoritarianism

• Incorporation of figures like Maison Naves, Hilberges, and Carval indicated a rightward shift that alarmed radical sectors.

• On June 30, extraordinary powers were requested from the Cortes to control caldistas in the north and Catalonia; seen as a veiled dictatorship by hardliners.

• The approval of these measures led to increased tensions in Madrid, with police authorized to enter homes during disturbances.

Constitutional Ambitions and Challenges

• A new Federal Constitution drafted by Emilio Castelar proposed dividing Spain into 17 states with full political autonomy, including Cuba and Puerto Rico.

• The ambitious text aimed for a strict separation of powers but was criticized as either too conservative or too radical amidst internal strife.

Political Fractures and Resignation

• On July 1, 1873, hardliners left the Cortes in protest against extraordinary powers granted to Pirmar Margal; they viewed themselves as true federalists.

• José María Orense announced their withdrawal from the Cortes, claiming it was a victory for freedom; this act signaled deepening divisions within the government.

• Following their exit, hardliners called for immediate action through cantonal formation; Roque Barcia's manifesto on July 8 marked a pivotal moment in escalating tensions.

Insurrection Attempts and Government Response

• Initial attempts at insurrection faced limited support except in Cartagena where rebellion was declared on July 12; Pirmar Margal managed to suppress it temporarily.

• Amidst rising chaos from various fronts including the Third Carlist War and unrest over oil revolts, Pirmar Margal's leadership faltered under pressure.

Fall of Pirmar Margal's Government

• After just 37 days in power, Pirmar Margal resigned on July 18 due to overwhelming challenges from both radicals and moderates amid national turmoil.

• Nicolás Almerón succeeded him as a moderate republican aiming for gradual transition towards federalism while prioritizing suppression of cantonal uprisings.

Expansion of Cantonal Rebellion

• Following Almerón’s rise on July 19, insurrections spread beyond Cartagena into regions like Andalucía and Valencia with numerous provinces experiencing localized rebellions.

The Cantonal Revolution in Spain

Overview of the Cantonal Movement

• The cantonal movement aimed to abolish unpopular taxes, secularize church property, implement social measures for workers, release political prisoners, and replace the regular army with popular militias. It represented a promise of justice and progress for small merchants, artisans, and laborers.

• In cities like Barcelona and Jerez, the insurrection faced strong opposition and did not gain traction. However, in places such as Córdoba, it was met with military resistance.

The Canton of Cartagena

• Cartagena became the epicenter of the cantonal rebellion where it established a state within a state. The city minted its own currency using resources from local mines to fund its defense.

• The red flag raised at Castillo de Galeras symbolized revolutionary spirit; however, it was reportedly an improvised adaptation of a Turkish flag.

• The cantonal fleet bombarded Almería for refusing to join the movement but faced interception by British and German ships that labeled them as pirates.

• Leaders considered raising the U.S. flag over Cartagena seeking international protection against central government bombardments. This highlighted their desperate situation amidst prolonged resistance.

Wider Impact Across Regions

• While Cartagena was prominent, other regions like Andalucía and Valencia also saw proclamations of cantons during late July 1873. Local revolutionary councils emerged but lacked coordination.

• In Málaga, municipal authorities led the movement; however, many cantons were short-lived due to rapid military responses.

• Valencia's canton showed some resilience until being bombarded by central troops. Other towns experienced insurrections linked to social tensions but were mostly ephemeral compared to Cartagena’s sustained effort.

Government Response under Salmerón

• Salmerón adopted strict measures against sympathizers of the cantonals by dismissing local authorities and mobilizing additional forces while declaring cantonal ships as pirates.

• Despite initial successes in suppressing most uprisings except Málaga and Cartagena, internal contradictions within the Republic surfaced as right-wing factions demanded harsher actions against rebels.

Political Turmoil Following Salmerón's Resignation

• Salmerón resigned on September 6 after just over a month in power due to moral objections against executing soldiers who had defected to cantonals. His departure marked instability within the Republic.

• Emilio Castelar succeeded him amid criticism regarding military tactics used against rebels which included bombarding cities and inviting foreign intervention—actions that weakened republican credibility further.

Conclusion: A Fragile Republic

• Within eight months of its establishment, Spain's First Republic cycled through three presidents while facing challenges from both external threats (carlistas) and internal discord among republicans themselves.

Castelar's Vision for Spain

The Unity of the Nation

• Castelar emphasized the importance of national unity over individual freedoms, stating, "Before liberty, before the Republic, I belong to my idolized Spain."

• He believed in a federation that maintained the integrity of the nation, asserting that they could be a federation without breaking the unity of the homeland.

Response to Insurrection

• Castelar viewed regional insurrections as a threat reminiscent of a small medieval era, with provinces attempting to revive old crowns and cities declaring enmity against each other.

• To address these challenges, he sought extraordinary powers from Congress not just for specific regions but for all of Spain to combat both civil war and rebellion effectively.

Establishing Authority

• On September 18th, 1873, Congress approved his proposal allowing him to govern by decree; this marked the beginning of what was termed Castelar's civil dictatorship.

• He reorganized military forces significantly and imposed strict measures including penalties for desertion and restrictions on press freedoms. This created an effective state of emergency across Spain.

Political Maneuvering and Challenges

Coalition Building

• Castelar aimed to broaden support for the Republic beyond federalists by engaging conservatives and historical political figures like General Serrano and Sagasta in hopes of unifying various factions.

• In Málaga, he decisively ended ambiguous agreements made by his predecessor regarding autonomy with local leaders. His actions were aimed at demonstrating that republican authority could match monarchical power.

Internal Conflicts

• By late 1873, internal divisions grew as former allies began viewing Castelar as someone who was distancing himself from core republican values; tensions escalated within Congress leading to significant opposition against him.

• Salmerón’s faction accused him of compromising republican ideals through agreements perceived as aligning too closely with conservative interests. This culminated in calls for censure against him in early January 1874.

The Downfall: Pavía's Coup

Breakdown of Support

• As dissent grew among his supporters due to controversial decisions such as agreements with Rome regarding church appointments, Salmerón publicly demanded revocation which further alienated factions within Congress from Castelar’s leadership.

• On December 24th, amidst rising tensions and rumors of a coup d'état brewing against him, Castelar sought loyalty assurances from military leaders like Manuel Pavía but faced increasing isolation politically.

The Coup Execution

• The situation reached its climax on January 2nd when Pavía withdrew support during a critical session where accusations flew between factions; this led directly into military intervention later that day resulting in chaos within Congress itself.

• Following Pavía's orders on January 3rd at approximately 6:55 PM, soldiers entered Congress amid shouts supporting national sovereignty while dispersing members violently—marking an abrupt end to Castelar’s presidency and initiating Serrano’s rule instead.

Aftermath: Serrano's Dictatorship

Transition of Power

• Francisco Serrano assumed control following the coup forming a government inclusive of constitutionalists and radicals while excluding federals entirely from power structures moving forward post-Castelar era.

Justification for Actions

• Serrano justified his takeover through a manifesto claiming it was necessary to prevent disintegration or carlist victories while announcing future elections would determine Spain's governmental structure eventually despite immediate dictatorial governance being established thereafter.

This structured overview captures key moments from the transcript while providing timestamps linked directly back to their respective sections for easy reference during study or review sessions.

Historical Context of the First Spanish Republic

The Fall of Key Cities and Political Maneuvering

• Spain faced military pressure, leading to the fall of Málaga in September 1873 and Cartagena on January 12, 1874. Anonete Gálvez fled towards Oran during this turmoil.

• By autumn 1874, Cánovas had prepared a historical narrative, publishing "El Manifiesto de Sardu" on December 1, signed by Alfonso, promoting a constitutional monarchy as a modern solution.

• On December 29, General Martínez Campos declared support for Alfonso XI in Sagunto while Serrano ordered no resistance from his northern campaign. This led to the dissolution of the government by Primo de Rivera without conflict.

Historiographical Debates on the First Republic

• The historiography surrounding the First Republic has been intense; Castelar equated cantonalism with socialism and Paris Commune separatism, framing it as a threat to national unity. This perspective influenced later historians like Rivilla and Méndez Pelayo.

• P. Margal's defense inadvertently reinforced negative perceptions of republican leaders as chaotic and divided due to their inability to unify against external pressures.

• Gardos criticized republican leaders for lacking energy and realism while being overly idealistic; many republicans later echoed this sentiment about the inevitable failure of the Republic in 1873.

Reevaluating Republican Viability

• Recent voices like Florencia Peirow argue for a broader understanding of the Republic's context, noting its emergence amid two devastating wars (the Carlist War and Cuban War) that drained resources significantly. She posits that Martínez Campos' coup was pivotal in ending this fragile yet energetic democratic experiment.

• Most historians agree that Spain was ill-prepared for a republic due to institutional instability, economic challenges, military divisions, and lack of social support for republican ideals amidst ongoing conflicts across multiple fronts. The First Republic emerged from a dynastic crisis without substantial consensus or backing from key societal sectors.