Spain in the 19th Century: Isabel II, the Restoration, and the end of the Empire

Apuntes

Fernando VII changed the Law of Succession to the throne. The new law allowed his daughter Isabel to become queen. When the King died in 1833, Isabel was only three years old. Her mother, Queen María Cristina of Bourbon, became regent and supported liberalism and constitutional monarchy. The Infante Carlos, brother of Fernando VII, disagreed with the new Law of Succession and claimed the throne. Carlos was supported by the absolutists, known as the Carlists. The Queen Regent had the support of liberals, also know as the Isabellines. The Carlist fought against Isabellines in the First Carlist War (1833-1839). In 1843, at the age of thirteen, Isabel was proclaimed Queen Isabel II. During her reign, the liberal politicians who supported her, formed two parties: The Moderate Liberal, represented by Narváez. The wealthy clases supported this group. They defended conservative liberalism. While in power, they approved the Constitutiosn of 1845. The Progressives, led by Espartero, represented the middle and lower clases. This group wanted to extend liberties to more people. The reign of Isabel II ended in 1868. A group of army generals rebelled against the Queen that year and forced her in...