Política Exterior de España 1790-1808

Spain's Foreign Policy 1790-1808

• Spain remained neutral during the Coalition Wars due to internal conflicts with France.
• Floridablanca and Aranda led the government during this period.
• Spain declared war on France (1793-1795) after the execution of King Louis XVI, resulting in the War of the Pyrenees.
• The war was a disaster for Spain, leading to French occupation of territories in Catalonia and Basque Country under the Treaty of Basel.
• Facing rebellions in America fueled by revolutionary ideas, Spain allied with France (1796-1808) through the San Ildefonso Treaties to quell uprisings and weaken Great Britain.
• This alliance led to wars against Portugal (War of the Oranges) and Great Britain, culminating in the Spanish defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805).

Spain's Internal Situation & the French Invasion 1807-1808

• By late 1807, Spain faced financial bankruptcy, widespread famine, and declining popularity of the king and Godoy.
• The Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807) allowed French troops through Spanish territory to invade Portugal, an ally of Britain.
• The treaty proposed a joint occupation of Portugal and the creation of a Kingdom of the Algarve for Godoy.
• The French invasion of key Spanish cities triggered the Aranjuez Mutiny (1808).
• The mutiny led to the dismissal of Godoy and the abdication of Charles IV in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII.

The Rise of the First Spanish Republic

• Napoleon pressured Ferdinand VII and Charles IV to abdicate in his favor, placing his brother, Joseph I Bonaparte, on the Spanish throne (1808-1813).
• The First Spanish Republic was proclaimed following the abdications of King Amadeo of Savoy on February 11, 1873.
• Amadeo's inability to manage political divisions, especially within the Progressive Party, contributed to his decision to step down.
• The assassination of Juan Prim, a key supporter of Amadeo, and the monarch's declining popularity further fueled the political instability.
• The unstable political landscape with short-lived governments and the growing republican opposition, coupled with conflicts like the Third Carlist War and the Cuban War, led to the republic's declaration.
• Despite congressional and senatorial majorities being in favor of a monarchy, the lack of viable alternatives led to the declaration of the First Spanish Republic.

Internal Divisions Within the Republic

• Republican factions diverged over the organizational structure of the new state, leading to:
  • Unitarians: Favored a highly centralized state with all major decisions made from Madrid, promoting uniform legal and administrative systems.
  • Gradual Federalists: Advocated for a federation of states with the Cortes deciding on the distribution of power between them.
  • Cantonalists: Believed that federation should occur from the bottom-up, with each state voluntarily joining Spain on its own terms.

Initial Measures & the Proposed Constitution of the First Republic

• The republican government implemented social, popular, and democratic measures, including:
  • Abolishment of the consumption tax.
  • Elimination of conscription and the creation of a voluntary army.
  • Reduction of the voting age to 21.
  • Separation of church and state, ending government subsidies for the Catholic Church.
  • Regulation of child labor, prohibiting the employment of children under ten in mines and factories.

Outcomes of the Republic's Policies:

• Positive Outcomes: Increased government revenue for improved public finances.
• Negative Outcomes: Failure to modernize agriculture, perpetuation of land inequality, and a large-scale emigration from impoverished regions.
• Consequences of Economic Policies: While the government received substantial income, campesinos remained in dire straits, unable to purchase land due to high prices and heavy debt.
• Land Ownership: The latifundio system intensified in the south, while smallholdings (minifundios) increased in the north.
• Expropriation of Church and Municipal Lands: These acts resulted in a loss of wealth for the entities involved, fueling their opposition to liberal reforms.

The Role of the Railway & Spain's Industrialization

• Spain's industrialization lagged behind other countries like Russia and Italy, but also ahead of countries like the United States and northwest Europe.
• Causes of Spain's Industrial Lag:
  • Agricultural Backwardness: Traditional farming methods and dominance of large landholders.
  • Weak Domestic Market: Poor infrastructure and widespread poverty limited demand.
  • Dependence on Foreign Technology and Energy: Reliance on imported technologies and inefficient coal supplies.
  • Lack of Entrepreneurial Bourgeoisie: The upper classes preferred land ownership and living off rents, while political instability discouraged investment.

The Textile Industry and the Rise of the Labor Movement

• Textile Industry: The cotton textile industry emerged alongside the development of the railway.
• Labor Movement: Following the dissolution of the First Republic, the labor movement faced persecution and repression.
• Rise of Anarchism: Anarchists went underground after the suppression of labor organizations.
• Legalization of Labor Associations: In 1881, Sagasta's government legalized all labor associations, leading to the emergence of the Federation of Workers of the Spanish Region (FTRE) with strong bases in Catalonia and Andalusia.
• The Black Hand Affair: A wave of crimes attributed to the secret society, including the assassination of Cánovas in 1897, led to the association of Andalusian anarchism and the FTRE with lawlessness, paving the way for their persecution.
• Direct Action: Towards the end of the century, anarchist organizations resorted to direct action, such as the bombing of the Liceo in Barcelona in 1893.
• Socialism: Socialists focused on legalizing strikes, reducing working hours, and prohibiting child labor under the age of nine.
• Formation of the PSOE: In 1879, socialists formed the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) with Pablo Iglesias as its leader.
• Formation of the UGT: In 1888, the General Union of Workers (UGT) was established, also with socialist leanings.

Social Transformation in 19th Century Spain - Focusing on the Status of Women

• Population Growth: Spain's population grew from 10 million to 18 million during the 19th century, a demographic boom driven by the eradication of the plague and the introduction of crops like potatoes and corn.
• Continued Challenges: Spain saw significant demographic crises due to epidemics like yellow fever and cholera, as well as famines caused by sharp increases in basic food prices.
• Sectoral Employment Distribution: In 1900, 65% of the Spanish workforce remained in the primary sector; only 18% in the secondary sector and 17% in the tertiary sector.
• Urbanization: Only one-third of the population resided in urban centers.
• High Literacy Rates: Literacy rates remained high in 1900, reaching 63%.

Spain's Social Structure:

• The 19th century witnessed a transition from a society based on estates (distinguishing privileged groups like nobility and clergy) to a society organized around classes based on economic power.
• Significant Social Changes:
  • Decline of the Nobility: The abolition of the Old Regime and the loss of political power due to the suppression of feudal privileges and the loss of material assets from disamortization.
  • Aburguesamento of the Nobility and Ennoblement of the Bourgeoisie: Nobility invested in capitalist enterprises and acquired administrative positions, while the bourgeoisie sought to attain noble titles and land.
  • Rise of the Middle Class: Comprised professionals (teachers, doctors, lawyers), civil servants, and high-ranking businessmen.
  • Importance of Military Figures: Military figures had a strong political influence, often referred to as "espadones", and played a pivotal role in political changes, including numerous pronunciamientos (military coups).
  • The Proletariat: Industrial workers in the cities whose low wages and long working hours, often exceeding twelve hours, made them vulnerable. Child labor was legal, women were paid less than men, and workers lacked basic protections such as job security, health care, and education.

Summary of Key Points

• Spain's Foreign Policy: Spain's foreign policy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries was primarily shaped by the French Revolution, the resulting wars with France, and Spain's internal struggles.
• Internal Conflicts: Domestic conflicts weakened Spain's position and led to several internal power struggles.
• Impact of Napoleon: Napoleon's intervention in Spain marked a significant turning point, leading to the French occupation and the eventual rise of the First Spanish Republic.
• First Spanish Republic: The republic faced significant challenges, including internal divisions, economic instability, and ongoing rebellions.
• Social Transformation: The 19th century was a period of significant social change in Spain, with the rise of a new class structure, a burgeoning middle class, and a growing industrial workforce.
• Labor Movement: The labor movement emerged in different forms, with socialist and anarchist groups advocating for workers' rights and political change.
• Agricultural Challenges: Despite the growth of certain industries, Spain's agriculture remained largely backward, contributing to economic inequality and social unrest.
• Women's Condition: Women continued to face significant social and economic inequalities, with limited access to education, healthcare, and political power.

Este quiz explora a política exterior de España entre 1790 e 1808, abordando os conflitos e alianzas que tiveron lugar durante as Guerras da Coalición. Detallaremos a intervención española nas guerras contra Francia e Gran Bretaña, así como as consecuencias das alianzas e tratados. Descubre como a situación interna de España influíu na súa política exterior durante este período crítico.