Spain in the nineteenth century (1814–1873)

• The 19th century was the twilight period of Spain as

colonial power. While other European powers were
succeeding in their imperialistic venture, Spain lost
one by one her rich colonies in South and Central
America. She lost Paraguay(1811),
Argentina(1816), Chile(1817), Colombia and
Ecuador(1819), Venezuela(1822),Peru(1824) &
Bolivia(1825). The Central American colonies of
Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador &
Nicaragua gained their independence on 1821. All
these former colonies rose in revolution against
Spanish arrogance & despotism
• Her real troubles began in 1808 when French troops
under Napoleon Bonaparte occupied Spain &
installed to the throne a puppet ruler. However when
the fortunes of Napoleon declined, the patriotic
Spaniards helped by British forces defeated the
French in a series of bloody encounters & by 1814,
had driven the French forces from the Spanish soil.
• Ferdinand VII was restored to the Spanish throne.
His rule, however, was marked by chaos & political
instability. During the French occupation, liberal
reforms were instituted. The principles of equality,
liberty & fraternity introduced by Napoleonic
administrators had been accepted
 as the political program of Spanish liberals. But
Ferdinand VII violently opposed the liberal
reforms. He disregarded the Constitution of 1812
& the Spanish Cortes that permitted the Philippines
to send her representatives to the lawmaking body.
Ferdinand VII died in 1833 without a male heir. The
succession of his daughter, Isabella II to the throne
provoked the Carlist Wars from 1833 to 1839. The
civil war was a continuous struggle between the
Liberal Party, headed by Don Carlos, Ferdinand’s
brother & the Conservative Party, who wanted
retention of the monarchy.
Don Carlos, brother of
Ferdinand VII, was the
leader of the Carlist
Movement
Ferdinand VII, Isabella II & Alfonso XII of Spanish
Monarchy during 19thcentury
• A revolution in 1868, forced Isabella II to leave
Spain & this ushered the birth of the Spanish
Republic. However, after six (6)years of
existence, the republic ended as a result of
another civil war. The monarchy was restored in
1873 & Alfonso XII was proclaimed king. His
conservative minister, Canovas del Castillo,
strengthened the monarchy & suppressed
Carlist movement. To appease the pro-liberal
Spaniards, the new administration convoked the
Cortes & a new constitution that embodied some
democratic features was promulgated in 1876.
King Alfonso XII died in 1885 leaving behind an infant heir as
successor to the throne The Conservatives led by Canovas del
Castillo(right picture), agreed with Praxedes Sagasta(left picture) the
leader of the Liberals, that in order to maintain national unity, their two
factions must alternate in the administration of the country’s affairs.
This was the Rotativism or Canovite System & was implemented
primarily to save Spain from the disastrous effects of bitter political
disunity.
POLICIES AND EVENTS IN THE 19TH CENTURY SPAIN AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE
PHILIPPINES 

1 Spain faced struggle for liberalism. The liberals inspired by the ideals of liberty,
equality & opportunity wanted to limit absolutism so that the people may
enjoy their constitutional & human rights while the conservatives wanted the
retention of monarchy
 
2 The Philippines was affected by political instability in Spain. From 1853 to
1893, there were 41 governor-generals in the Philippines, each serving an
average term of only one year

3 The Philippines was affected by the union of Church & State (Frailocracy). The
union of Church & State was a source of conflict between government &
church authorities. The Church complained to the King of Spain about the
harsh treatment given to the people by the civil officials. On the other hand,
the Governor general complained to the King on the interference of church
officials in the civil & internal affairs of the government
4 Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes was denied to the Filipinos.
The Spanish Cortes was the lawmaking body of Spain
 
5 Racial discrimination was offensive to the Filipinos
 
6 Denial of human rights spurred the Filipinos to fight for them. During the
19thcentury. The Spaniards struggle hard to secure respect & recognition of
their human rights. The Filipinos could not understand why the Spaniards
who fought for their sacred rights would deny them the same rights
 
7 The spirit of reforms in Spain influenced Philippine progress. There was
economic progress and improvement in education. Educational Decree of
1863 provided for the establishment of public educational system & a
normal school for men. The Filipinos had a brief taste of liberal regime
under Spanish Governor General Carlos Maria Dela Torre