Isabella II of Spain Facts & Worksheets

• Don Carlos, refusing to recognise Isabella's claim, launched a series of civil wars, known as the Carlist Wars, to fight over the succession. The Carlists, representing a more traditional and absolutist vision of Spain, found support in the Basque regions and parts of Catalonia. Isabella and her mother, on the other hand, became figureheads for the Liberals, who favoured a more constitutional monarchy and progressive reforms.
• Queen Regent Maria Cristina soon found herself struggling to navigate the political landscape of Spain, facing accusations of corruption and favouritism, as well as the growing popularity of the First Carlist War general, Baldomero Espartero. In 1840, she chose to abdicate, paving the way for Espartero's rise to the regency.

Reign as Queen of Spain

Isabella's reign as Queen of Spain lasted from 1833 to 1868. After officially coming of age, she assumed her royal duties on 10 November 1843 in accordance with the terms of the 1837 constitution. Although liberalism was on the rise in Spain during this period, Isabella's reign was unstable as she was caught between competing ambitions and shifting alliances.

Moderates and Progressives

• The divisions between the Moderates and the Progressives, the two main liberal parties in Spanish politics, were a defining feature of Isabella's reign.
• The fundamental difference between Moderates and Progressives lay in their approach to reform. Moderates, drawn primarily from the wealthy elite and landed aristocracy, favoured gradual change and a strong central government. They were wary of expanding suffrage, fearing it would empower the lower classes and threaten their own privileged position.
• Progressives, on the other hand, drew support from a broader base that included intellectuals, professionals and the growing urban working class. They advocated for more radical reforms, including expanded suffrage, greater individual liberties, and limitations on the power of the monarchy and the Church.

Key Points of Contention:

• • Suffrage: Moderates advocated for limited suffrage based on property ownership, ensuring that power remained concentrated in the hands of the wealthy. 

• • Role of the Monarchy: Moderates favoured a strong monarchy with significant powers. Progressives, while not necessarily opposed to the monarchy, sought to limit its powers and strengthen the role of the Cortes (parliament).
  • Religious Influence: Moderates generally supported the traditional influence of the Catholic Church in Spanish society and politics. Progressives, influenced by Enlightenment ideals, sought to reduce the Church's power and promote secular education.
  • Economic Policy: Moderates tended to favour protectionist economic policies that benefited landowners and industrialists. Progressives, more aligned with the interests of the urban working class, advocated for free trade and economic liberalisation.
• Isabella, lacking strong political convictions of her own, found herself playing the role of a reluctant arbiter between these factions. When it suited her or when pressure increased, she would appoint governments run by one group only to dismiss them and favour the other. This constant shifting of alliances hindered the implementation of any coherent long-term policies.

Espartero and Narváez

• Two powerful figures dominated Isabella's early reign: Baldomero Espartero and Ramón María Narváez. These influential military and political figures embodied the divisions within Spanish liberalism.
• Baldomero Espartero rose through the ranks during the First Carlist War, which took place between 1833 and 1840. His contribution to the capture of Bilbao and the Convention of Vergara transformed him into a national hero.
• In 1840, following the abdication of Queen Regent Maria Cristina, Espartero became the regent for the young Isabella II. His dedication to progressive ideals was what made him a successful regent. 
• He sought to limit the Church's influence in education and politics, angering conservatives and devout Catholics. He believed that education was key to progress and implemented reforms to expand access to schooling. He also favoured free trade policies and sought to dismantle traditional monopolies, aiming to stimulate economic growth.
• However, Espartero's progressive agenda generated opposition. His authoritarian tendencies and suppression of dissent alienated many. His decision to bombard Barcelona in 1842, following a revolt provoked by economic hardship, led to accusations of tyranny. By 1843, Espartero's popularity had waned considerably.
• In stark contrast to Espartero, Ramón María Narváez represented the conservative wing of liberalism. Narváez emerged as the leading figure of the Moderate Party. He served as Prime Minister to Isabella II on multiple occasions, most notably during the Década Moderada from 1844 to 1854.
• His political philosophy revolved around the consolidation of power and the suppression of dissent. He believed that a firm approach was necessary to address Spain's ongoing instability and opposition to the established order. He curtailed the autonomy of Spain's regions, imposed strict censorship laws, defended the monarchy and its prerogatives, and maintained close ties with the Catholic Church.
• However, his authoritarian approach and suppression of political freedoms made him unpopular with liberals and progressives. While his supporters praised him as a defender of order, his critics denounced him as a tyrant who suppressed dissent and hindered progress.
• Caught between the rivalling influences of Espartero and Narváez, Isabella was unable to assert her own authority. Instead, she heavily relied on their counsel, yet their conflicting political agendas prevented her from charting a clear course forward. Her reign was characterised by a constant shifting of allegiances. 
• Isabella's inability to choose a definitive path, either Espartero's progressive vision or Narváez's conservative approach, ultimately weakened her own position. Her reign became defined by political manoeuvring and short-lived governments, which compromised her authority and led to the eventual revolution that would force her from the throne.