Spain, the reign of Fernando VII

6. SPAIN: THE REIGN OF FERNANDO VII THE EMANCIPATION OF SPANISH AMERICA - During the Peninsular War and the reign of Fernando VII, Spain’s American colonies began fighting to gain their independence.

- Causes: 1. The dissatisfaction of the criollos,descendents of Europeans born in Latin America. They felt ignoredand mistreated by the mother country.

2. The independence of the United States of America, which providedan examplefor Spain’s colonies in the Americas.

3. During the Peninsular War, the colonists were cut off from Spain. They formed their own juntas to run the colonies.

- The fight for independence was directed by criollo military leaders.

6. SPAIN: THE REIGN OF FERNANDO VII ABSOLUTISM AND LIBERALISM IN SPAIN - The reign of Fernando VII was long.

- It was divided into three periods: 1. Absolutist sexennium - Fernando VII had promised to mantain the Constitution of Cádiz.

- When he returns to Spain, he realises that his reputation among the lower classes, together with the support of the Church and the Concert of Europe, make it possible for him to break his promise.

- Encouraged by reactinaries, he abolishes the constitution and the everything the Cádiz Cortes had ordered, re-establishing the Ancien Régime.

- Fernando VII rules as an absolute monarch. He persecutes the liberals, who are forced into exile.

- Fernando tris to regain control of Spain’s American colonies.

6. SPAIN: THE REIGN OF FERNANDO VII 2. Liberal Triennium - Riego, a liberal military leader, stages a coup d’Êtat and forces the king to swear to assume the constitution.

- This type of rebellion, known as a pronunciamiento, was very common in 19th-century Spain, Portugal and Latin America.

- The monarch swears it, but the immediately requests the help of the Holy Alliance.

- France sends troops to his aid.

- These soldiers were referred to as the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saints Louis.

- They defeat the liberals and reinstate Fernando VII.

6. SPAIN: THE REIGN OF FERNANDO VII 3.Ominous Decade - The king executes Riego and begins persecuting the liberals again.

- For the next ten years, until his death, Fernando VII returns to absolutism.

- Another attempted coup d’état in 1830 ends in failure.