8/3/2019 The Configuration of the Liberal State

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The Configuration of the Liberal State (1833-1868).

The tensions between those who defended the Ancien Rgimeand the partisans of theLiberal Revolution took most of the mid 1800's. In the practice, the Liberal Modelconsolidated in spite of the Carlist Wars that endured most of the century. The currentpolitical tendencies (Right and Left wings) arose in this moment under the name of

Moderates and Progressives, and contested for power throughout the century.

In 1833 Fernando VII died and since his daughter Isabel was underage, a Regency of theQueen Mother Mara Cristina was established. The main issue of this period was the Civil Warbetween Carlists and Isabelians. The Isabelians Liberals represented the bourgeoisie, part ofthe Aristocracy and the urban common people. The absolutist Carlists had on their side therural clergy, the low aristocracy and in many places the peasants and the craftsmen.

The Crown asked the Moderates (Conservatives) to govern in the first stage but theirresistance to change was the cause of many uprisings and revolts. The Progressives replacedthem and undertook a far deeper reform. In 1836 Mendizbal (Progressive) started hisDesamortizacin, or Ecclesiastical confiscation as a first step to get the Land Reform.Meanwhile, the progressives drafted and approved the Constitution of 1837.

The persistence of the uprisings forced Maria Cristina to resign the Regency in 1840. She was

succeeded by the progressive General Espartero as the Regent until 1843.

THE RULE OF THE MODERATES (1843-1868).

After the coming of age of Isabel II in 1843, the moderates would rule for nearly 25 years andtailored the Liberal State. The first stage of their rule is known as the Moderate Decade(1844-1854).The new Constitution of 1845 enclosed the guidelines of the ModerateLiberalism:- A Shared Sovereignty between the Cortes (Parliament) and the Queen.- A Censitary Suffrage determined by the incomes: Only the wealthy citizens had the rightto vote.- Limited Liberties.Besides, the moderates undertook a State administrative reorganization:- Division of the territory in Provinces.- A new System of Education. The Moyano Law of 1857, named after the minister

Claudio Moyano, tried unsuccessfully to improve the national instruction and eradicateilliteracy. It was the most long-lasting Educational law, since it was in force until 1970.- The Foundation of the Guardia Civil.- The Tax Reform.

This was the third Constitution in 30 years. The change of Law according to the GoverningParty became unfortunately usual in the Spanish political life of the 19th century Spain. Someother problems soon became also chronic: Social unrest, Sexual Scandals in the courtthat involved the Queen herself and Political instability.

THE PROGRESSIVE BIENNIUM (1854-1856)

The situation changed briefly in 1854 after apronunciamiento called La Vicalvarada; itwas the beginning of the Progressive Biennium (1854-1856). The progressives deepenedthe Economic Reform in 1855 with the Railways Law that gave major benefits and privilegesto whoever would invest in the construction of railways and the Civil Confiscation(Desamortizacin) of Madoz.In this new Desamortizacin, the properties owned by municipalities, military orders,hospitals, hospices and casas de misericordia(charity homes) were confiscated and sold toraise funds for the State as those of the Clergy in the time of Mendizbal. The negativeconsequences were suffered not only by the owners of these institutions but by the poorervillagers, who used the municipal commons for their subsistence.But these reforms barely developed. A newpronunciamiento brought back the power to theModerates in 1856. General ODonnell resumed the Constitution of 1845 and undertook aperiod ofauthoritarianism marked by economic stability.

This Situation lasted until 1866 when the economic crisis, the drop in popularity of the Queenand several political Scandals led to the Revolution of 1868 also known as La Gloriosa.Most of the opposition groups agreed to establish a democratic regime and expel the QueenIsabel II who had to go into exile in Paris.