Contemporary Age

1-Introduction

The Industrial Revolution started in Britain in 1760 and spread across Europe during the first part of the 19th century. Factories, thanks to new machinery and inventions, were built mostly in cities. People began to migrate from rural areas to cities to look for work.

Politically, there was also a huge change. The French Revolution  in 1789 meant the end of absolutism in France, the end of unlimited powers for the king and the beginning of new liberal ideas.

2-Revolution and changes in Spain

Carlos IV came to the Spanish throne in 1788 just as the French Revolution was beginning.

Relations between Spain and France, distant up until now, improved and in 1807 the Spanish Prime Minister, Manuel Godoy, signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau with Napoleon Bonaparte. They agreed to invade Portugal and divide it between each other. However, France used this alliance to achieve another objective – the invasion of Spain.

Carlos’ son, Fernando led the Mutiny of Aranjuez in 1808 against Godoy. It forced Carlos IV to abdicate in favour of his son who became King Fernando VII. Napoleon then forced Fernando to abdicate and put his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, on the throne of Spain.

3-The War of Independence

The French invasion caused an uprising in Madrid on 2 May 1808 and the War of Independence began. However, it was not only a war against France but also a civil war in Spain about who the monarch should be.

With the help of the British, the French were defeated and, in 1814, Napoleon recognised Fernando as King of Spain. 

This meant the return of absolutism.

4-The Constitution of 1812

Cádiz was the only place that was not under French rule and delegates met there to draw up a Spanish constitution, which was signed in 1812. It was the most liberal constitution of its time and the first in Spain. The Constitution established:

• Freedom of the press
• Equality for all
• Voting rights for all men over 18
• Freedom of expression
• National sovereignty
• A constitutional monarchy

However, it was abolished in 1814 when Fernando VII came to the throne.

5- The reigns of Fernando VII and Isabel II

Fernando VII returns to the throne , he declared the constitution illegal and become an absolute monarch.

The heir to the throne was supposed to be Fernando’s brother, Carlos, but Fernando VII instead chose his eldest daughter, Isabel. Isabel was only three years old when her father died in 1833, so her mother, María Cristina, and General Espartero ruled as regents until Isabel came to the throne at the age of 13 as Isabel II.

The beginning of the regency period was marked by civil wars known as the Carlist Wars. There were fights between two sides:

• the supporters of the regent queen, María Cristina,
• and supporters of the late king’s brother, Carlos.

Those supporting Carlos were called Carlists and were in favour of an absolute monarchy.

During Isabel II’s reign, Spain became a parliamentary monarchy. However, political instability and conflict led to her exile in 1868.

6-The labour movement.

Conditions for the working class in the 1800s were very bad. Workers in rural areas were unemployed for part of the year and industrial workers were also badly paid and worked long hours in dangerous conditions.

Many workers started organising themselves into associations (unions) to demand improvements in their wages and working conditions.