Crisis of the Ancient Regime

  • The reign of Carlos IV began

    The reign of Carlos IV began
    Spain at the end of the 18th century was plunged into a deep structural crisis, both political and economic, as well as social. Therefore, they decided to change king; the reign of Charles IV began.
  • Floridablanca was named valid of Carlos IV

    Floridablanca was named valid of Carlos IV
    He was the first valide of Carlos IV
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    Reign of Carlos IV

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    Floridablanca as valid

  • Aranda was named valid of Carlos IV

    Aranda was named valid of Carlos IV
    He was replaced when Luis XVI, cousin of Carlos IV, was beheaded.
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    Aranda as valid

  • Godoy was named valid of Carlos IV

    Godoy was named valid of Carlos IV
    Manuel Godoy was a controversial figure and supporter of enlightened despotism. He first opposed relations with France, but later allied himself with Napoleon to fight against England, the common enemy.
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    Godoy as valid

  • End of the French Revolution

    End of the French Revolution
    The French Revolution was a social and political conflict, with several periods of violence, that convulsed France and other European nations, confronted supporters and opponents of the system known as the Ancien Régime against each other.
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  • Naval Battle of Trafalgar

    Naval Battle of Trafalgar
    The Franco-Spanish were defeated by the English. In response to the defeat, Napoleon made a continental blockade of England, but Portugal did not comply, so Napoleon wanted to conquer it.
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  • Treaty of Fontainebleau

    Treaty of Fontainebleau
    Godoy signed it with Napoleon, allowing the French army to enter Spain in order to conquer Portugal. However, Napoleon began to invade Spain peacefully.
  • Aranjuez Mutiny

    Aranjuez Mutiny
    In view of the situation with the French, Fernando VII forced his father Carlos IV to abdicate, which led to Godoy's dismissal.
  • The reign of Charles IV ended

    In the mutiny of Aranjuez, Ferdinand VII forced his father Charles IV to abdicate.
  • Bayonne abdications

    Bayonne abdications
    Napoleon, due to the abdications of Bayonne , succeeded in placing his brother José Bonaparte I on the Spanish throne.
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  • The War of Independence began

    The War of Independence began
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    War of Independence

    It was a patriotic war, against the French invader; a civil war, between liberal Spain (Frenchified, a minority supporting Joseph Bonaparte) and traditional Spain (absolutists, a majority supporting Ferdinand VII); and an international war, France against Portugal, England, Spain.....
  • The Cadiz Courts were convened

    The Cadiz Courts were convened
    In the absence of a government in the nation during the war, the people organised themselves and the Supreme Central Junta arose, which assumed political power during that period of time, taking charge of the government in the unoccupied areas. They convened Cadiz Courts.
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    Cadiz Courts

    The legislative work of Cadiz Courts lasted from 1810 to 1814, and although they were constituent Courts, they legislated on the basis of decrees in order to put an end to the Ancient Regime in Spain.
  • Constitution of 1812

    Constitution of 1812
    The first Spanish Constitution. It was the 1st attempt to lay the foundations of liberalism in Spain. It defended national sovereignty, parliamentary monarchy, the Cortes, limitation of the king's power, legal equality, separation of powers, census suffrage…
    Articles of the Constitution
  • The Constitution was abolished

    The War of Independence didn’t allow its application and Fernando VII, of absolutist ideology, abolished it in 1814.
  • The reign of Fernando VII began

    The reign of Fernando VII began
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    Reign of Fernando VII

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    Absolutist Sexennium

  • The War of Independence ended

  • Carlos IV died

  • Military uprising

    Military uprising
    After several attempted uprisings, Colonel Riego came to power in 1820 and forced Fernando VII to become a liberal. During these years, known as the liberal triennium, the Constitution of 1812, liberal laws, political parties and freedom of the press were accepted.
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    Liberal Triennium

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    Absolutist Decade

  • Fernando VII and Maria Cristina de Borbón got married

    Fernando VII and Maria Cristina de Borbón got married
    In 1829 Ferdinand VII married María Cristina de Borbón (his cousin), a year later he proclaimed the "Pragmática sanción", revoking the Salic law.
    Prado museum, María Cristina
  • Isabel II was born

  • The 1st Carlist War started

    The 1st Carlist War started
    The conflict between Isabel and Carlos (Fernando VII's brother) over who would inherit the throne led to the first Carlist War.
    1st Carlist War
  • The reign of Fernando VII ended

    In 1833 Fernando VII died and his reign came to an end.
  • The reign of Isabel II began

    The reign of Isabel II began
    In 1833 Fernando VII died and Isabel, only three years old, inherited the throne. Due to her age, Maria Cristina took over the regency until Isabel turned 18.
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