In the 1600s, what’s the name for the period in England after the death of King Charles?
The period in England after the death of King Charles I in 1649 is known as the Interregnum. This period lasted until 1660, during which England was a republic known as the Commonwealth of England. It was followed by the Restoration, which saw the return of the monarchy with King Charles II.
Yes, a similar period occurred in Spain. In 1868, Spanish reformers indeed toppled the monarchy of Queen Isabella II, leading to the establishment of a short-lived republican regime. This period is known as the Sexenio Democrático (Democratic Sexennium), which lasted from 1868 to 1874. During this time, Spain experienced various forms of government, including a provisional government, a constitutional monarchy under King Amadeo I, and finally the First Spanish Republic, before the Bourbon monarchy was restored in 1874 with the reign of Alfonso XII.
After being deposed in 1868, Queen Isabella II went into exile in France. She initially settled in Paris, where she lived for several years. Despite her exile, she continued to be involved in Spanish politics and eventually abdicated the throne in favor of her son, Alfonso XII, in 1870. Alfonso XII later became king following the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1874.
Amadeo I, also known as Amadeo of Savoy, was chosen as the king of Spain following the deposition of Queen Isabella II and during the period known as the Sexenio Democrático. After Queen Isabella II was deposed and went into exile, Spain was in search of a new monarch to stabilize the country.
In 1870, the Spanish Cortes (parliament) elected Amadeo I as king. He was the second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and was seen as a neutral and modernizing figure. Amadeo I accepted the offer and began his reign on January 2, 1871. However, his reign was fraught with political instability, opposition from various factions, and widespread unrest.
Facing insurmountable challenges and lack of support, Amadeo I abdicated the throne on February 11, 1873. His abdication led to the establishment of the First Spanish Republic. The Republic itself was short-lived, and the monarchy was eventually restored in 1874 with the ascension of Alfonso XII, the son of Queen Isabella II.
The First Spanish Republic, established in 1873 after the abdication of King Amadeo I, was short-lived due to several factors:
Political Fragmentation: The Republic faced deep political divisions between various factions, including federalists, centralists, radicals, and moderates. These groups had conflicting visions for the future of Spain, leading to frequent changes in government and policies.
Lack of Support: The Republic lacked broad support from key sectors of society, including the military, the church, and the aristocracy, who were traditionally aligned with the monarchy. This lack of support undermined its stability and effectiveness.
Economic Problems: Spain was experiencing significant economic difficulties, including widespread poverty and unemployment. The Republic struggled to address these issues, further eroding public confidence in the government.
Regional Separatism: There were strong separatist movements in regions like Catalonia and the Basque Country, which sought greater autonomy or independence. The central government's attempts to suppress these movements led to increased tensions and instability.
Carlist Wars: The Republic had to contend with the ongoing Carlist Wars, a series of civil wars involving supporters of the traditionalist Carlist claimants to the throne. The conflict drained resources and further destabilized the country.
Military Intervention: The military played a significant role in the politics of the period, often intervening to support or depose governments. In January 1874, General Pavia staged a coup and dissolved the Republican Cortes, leading to a period of military rule.
The return of a monarch, specifically Alfonso XII in 1874, helped stabilize the situation for several reasons:
Symbol of Unity: The monarchy served as a unifying symbol for many Spaniards, transcending the deep political and regional divisions that plagued the Republic.
Restoration of Order: The return of the monarchy was seen as a way to restore order and stability. Alfonso XII's reign began with efforts to reconcile different political factions and implement moderate reforms.
Military Support: The restoration of the monarchy had the backing of the military, which helped to quell uprisings and maintain order.
Political Moderation: Alfonso XII and his advisors pursued a more moderate and pragmatic approach to governance, avoiding the extremes that had characterized the Republic. This included integrating various political groups into the government and addressing some of the economic and social issues.
Historical Continuity: The monarchy represented a return to historical continuity, reassuring those who were wary of the radical changes and instability of the Republican period.
Overall, the return of the monarchy under Alfonso XII provided a sense of continuity, stability, and moderate governance that helped Spain recover from the turmoil of the previous years.
