The attempt democratic revolution: The revolutionary six years (1868-1874).
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The text we will discuss is the beginning of the Glorious Revolution of 1868. To better understand the significance of this document should be recalled briefly the events that led to the revolutionary upheaval.
The tumultuous reign of Queen Elizabeth II begins at the age of three years, with a legitimacy problem that confronts his uncle Carlos María Isidro. It brings together around to the most conservative and supporter of the ancien regime are called Carlist, who will star in a civil war in several stages. Carlism leaves no option to Elizabeth II and her mother, the regent Maria Cristina, to take refuge in the Liberals. The mood of both the ruler and your daughter is not very liberal, so consistently granted the power to more moderate liberals. Hence, instead of a constitution, Maria Cristina instruct de la Rosa a true charter granted as was the Royal Charter. As Julien said, progressives are out of power and denied normal access to the political system, so more and more aware that the only way to reach decision making positions is through the delivery or revolution. In fact only form government after the revolt or the threat of one. Specifically
the reign of Elizabeth II from 1856 will be a period of relative calm, ie a series of moderate governments emerged from the O'Donnell and Narvaez alliance. Relative calm broken by a series of statements as the failed General Prim in 1864 (Villarejo de Salvanes), which had to flee to Portugal. O the rising of the Sergeants in the barracks of San Gil, which ended in a cruel repression. San Gil events led to the fall of O'Donnell Narváez taking a position that allowed a dictatorial government mood, very much in Isabel II and own some extent the Old Regime.
were problems of economic and social problems in the industry, monetary and rail. Are the years which is passed on equity of R Industrial Revolution to the Second Industrial Revolution, from steam to electricity, the steel industry to the chemical, prosperous small industries, a business concentration. Implies exhaustion of the economic model that had brought to power the moderates and that they were concerned to maintain. Financial crisis, which bankrupted half of the banks. Also coincides with a crisis of livelihoods caused by crop failure, which is still affecting Spain. Yet, this country remains largely rural, which has resulted in a sharp increase in mortality. Social sectors mired in a general discontent provoked peasant revolts, military unrest and student protests as the night of St. Daniel in which students protested on behalf of professors as Emilio Castelar, apart from their chairs.
In August 1866 together Democrats and progressives in Belgium and reach the Covenant of Ostend, which undertake to overthrow Elizabeth II. Proposed universal male suffrage to elect a constituent assembly that would elect the form of government, whether monarchy or republic. Unionists, after the disappearance of O'Donnell also joined the pact with General Serrano, a supporter of the monarchy.
's death Narváez in 1866 left the crown in crisis. Bravo Gonzalez presided over the government until September, to take measures of repression and political and general banishing suspects. In this situation, the revolutionary preparations reached maturity in September 1868, when the Queen was enjoying the summer in San Sebastian. General Prim embarked in London bound for Cadiz, while a ship sailed for the Canary Islands to pick up there exiled General (Serrano, Sweet, Zabala, etc.). In Cadiz, the fleet, under Admiral Juan Bautista Topete awaiting orders. When he arrived Prim, 21 guns fired from the fleet, the country announced the dethronement Elizabeth II and is released on September 19 proclamation that concerns us. The Glorious Revolution had begun.
The Revolution of 1868 had some special features, so it was called "Glorious." Not only have produced a dethroning, which was important for more democratic liberalism, but because it meant more than a simple statement. We have to compare it perhaps with the revolutionary wave of 1848 by the social component. The Covenant of Ostend were representatives of the three parties oposicón: Unionists, liberals and Democrats who agreed to "destroy everything that exists in high places, but not directly advocated the republic.
This uncertainty is also manifest Topete. In fact, most of the text attempts to justify the lifting, appealing to the dignity of citizens, but does not develop a political agenda. The proclamation is published in the Gaceta de Madrid days later. Topete reported that its survey has the support of the Navy anchored in Cádiz, but more important is that advocates for sure that it represents the general will of the English. This is the general principle of any statement. The force of arms acquired its legitimacy, not the power under the fighting, but that is the symbol of the general will. The weapons are always a interim solution "until the nation recovers its sovereignty, stating his intention, and compliance."
Most Topete document serves to develop their own injustices of the reign of Isabel II. The reasons why only guns can return to the national sovereignty are exposed in the following way: the Constitution, ie the fundamental law serves the interests of a social group, so that citizens feel threatened. It's "trap" because it serves as a trap, legitimizes the power of this group to advocate as a representative of the nation. It is also alleged the conditions of the franchise, managed for always serve the party in government. But This corruption not only reaches the act of voting, but is general. This is the complaint of progressive liberals who can not gain power through legitimate means. Another
progressive aspirations is to give autonomy to municipalities, as had been attempted in the 1837 Constitution, which was gradually disappearing without being fulfilled. Parliamentary control of finance is also a security against the corruption of the administration and finance.
Education is also a workhorse of the progressives, especially after the tragic events that separated the river or Castelar Sanz their chairs, and caused the student uprising. Another battleground is the press, muzzled by their own deposits. Progressives had no legal means to disseminate their ideas, neither education nor the press.
The nature of social and economic protest movement is also evident with the complaint of the new wealth created under the moderates: "fortunes improvised", "defraud the public purse" ... In an environment of economic change, economic transition, easy to circumvent the law is great, especially if those who profit are those who control the legislative chambers. Financial capitalism is unregulated, allowing these easy money, they have the approval of power.
Topete is not convinced by arguments of how damaging this way of acting of capitalism, but appeals to the basic sense, the rejection of injustice, honor ...
Crown's role was essential in the political and institutional development of the reign of Isabel II. For the moderates, the Crown has an essential role in the political game. And after harvest Cánovas, the Crown has a moderating role, therefore the sovereignty was shared. However, the queen did not make this authority an instrument of reconciliation, but abused it to ward off the Liberal government progressive and try to governments tended to authoritarianism to the extent that the other political forces are allowed. That's why so Topete speaks of respect for a common law and that they want "in charge of observing the Constitution," ie, the queen, "lest your irreconcilable enemy."
All Ostende political program reflected in the document is the creation of an interim government representing all political forms. In practice, this interim government will be chaired by Serrano and Juan Prim man is strong and the rest will be many of the signatories of the proclamation. Was also in the plan Ostend universal suffrage for the election of Constituent Assembly. This will be the way for social regeneration. Regeneration is a concept that will soon become famous.
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