Timeline: Modern Spain: the 19th Century

Jul 14, 1789

Start of the French Revolution

The French Revolution marked the beginning of the Modern Age

Jan 21, 1793

French Monarchy was abolished

Louis XVI was killed

May 18, 1804

Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of France

Oct 27, 1807

Treaty of Fountainebleau

Napoleon and Manuel de Godoy (Carlos IV's prime minister) signed the treaty which allowed the French army to cross Spain to conquer Portugal. But once the French army was there, Napoleon decided to conquer Spain as well.

May 2, 1808

Spanish war of Independence

There was a revolt in Madrid against the French.

Jul 20, 1810

Spain's colonies in America started to become independent

Mar 19, 1812

Constitution of Cádiz

Spanish government in Cádiz approved a new constitution called the Constitution of Cádiz, also known as La Pepa

Apr 10, 1814

End of Spanish War of Independence

Last fight was in Toulouse

May 4, 1814

Absolute Monarchy restored

Fernando VII returned to power. He abolished the Constitution of Cádiz and restored the absolute monarchy.

Mar 29, 1830

Salic Law abolished

Fernando VII enacted the "Pragmática Sanción" which made a female inherit the throne possible.

Oct 10, 1830

Isabel II was born

Sep 29, 1833

Fernando VII died

King Fernando VII died in Madrid when his daughter Isabel was three years old. Until she was 18, Spain was ruled by her mother, María Cristina.

Nov 14, 1833

The First Carlist War began

The Liberals supported María Cristina and Isabel II.
The Conservatives (the Carlists) wanted Carlos, Fernando VII's brother, to be king.

Aug 31, 1839

End of the First Carlist War

Convenio o Abrazo de Vergara

Sep 30, 1868

Isabel II leaves Spain

Isabel was forced to leave Spain

Jun 25, 1870

Isabel II abdicated

Isabel II abdicated so her son, Alfonso XII, could be the king.

Jan 2, 1871

Amadeo I became king

Amadeo of Savoy, an Italian prince, became king of Spain. He was chosen by the Cortes on 16th November 1870.

Feb 11, 1873

First Republic. Amadeo I abdicated

Amadeo I abdicated so the First Republic was proclaimed.

Dec 29, 1874

Restoration

A military coup led by General Martínez Campos was the end of the Republic. The monarchy was restored.
Alfonso XII, returned to Spain to become king. Antonio Cánovas del Castillo organized a political system based on two political parties: the Conservatives (Cánovas) and the Liberals (Sagasta).