History of Ferdinand VII of Spain

Ferdinand VII of Spain, also known as "Ferdinand the Desired" and later as "the Felon King," was a central figure in Spanish history during the turbulent late 18th and early 19th centuries. His reign was marked by political unrest, warfare, and the struggle for independence across Spanish America. To understand Ferdinand VII's political significance, one must delve into the complex and shifting landscape of Spain during his lifetime.

Ferdinand was born on October 14, 1784, to Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. His youth was characterized by a tumultuous environment at the Spanish court, where court intrigues and the influence of powerful individuals like Manuel Godoy, the prime minister and favorite of his mother, played a prominent role. Godoy's influence was particularly resented by Ferdinand, who often conspired against him in attempts to align himself more closely with public opinion, which was largely against Godoy due to his perceived incompetence and corruption.

Ferdinand's political journey truly began as discontent grew with Godoy's leadership. The machinations of the young prince culminated in what is known as the "El Escorial Conspiracy" of 1807, wherein Ferdinand tried to oust Godoy with the hope of reforming the government. However, the plot failed, and Ferdinand was temporarily placed under house arrest until he reconciled with his father, Charles IV.

The political landscape dramatically shifted during the Napoleonic Wars. Spain, initially an ally of France, saw its relationship with Napoleon sour, especially after the French invasion of Spain in 1808, which led to what became known as the Peninsular War. Amidst this chaos, the Abdications of Bayonne took place. Under pressure from Napoleon, Charles IV abdicated in favor of Ferdinand, who then, in turn, was coerced into relinquishing the throne to Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte.

Ferdinand's abdication played a pivotal role in his political career, as he was subsequently held in France by Napoleon, effectively under house arrest, for several years. During this time, Spain was engulfed in a struggle against French forces, with the Spanish people waging a guerilla war. The Spanish resistance, along with British military assistance, eventually led to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy.

In 1814, Ferdinand returned to Spain, where he assumed the throne with significant public support, under the moniker "Ferdinand the Desired." His return, however, quickly took on a more repressive tone when he opted to ignore the liberal Constitution of 1812 that had been established in his absence by the Spanish Cortes. By abolishing the constitution and reinstating absolute monarchy, Ferdinand VII began a period known as the "Ominous Decade" (1823–1833), characterized by reactionary policies and repression of liberal ideologies.

During his reign, Ferdinand faced several liberal revolts and military uprisings, most notably in 1820 when a military coup led by Rafael del Riego forced Ferdinand to reluctantly reinstate the Constitution of 1812. However, this liberal phase was brief, as the Holy Alliance, an association of European powers against revolutionary movements, intervened to restore absolute monarchy in Spain by sending a French army, known as the "Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis," to suppress the liberal government.

By 1823, Ferdinand had once again abolished constitutional rule and embarked on fierce repression against liberals, intellectuals, and any perceived dissidents. His despotic governance earned him the epithet "the Felon King," as citizens faced widespread censorship, surveillance, and punitive measures.

Parallel to Spain's domestic turbulence was the independence struggle in Spanish America. During Ferdinand's reign, most of the Spanish colonies in the Americas declared independence, resulting in a significant loss of Spanish prestige and influence. Although Ferdinand and his government attempted to quash these independence movements, the efforts were largely unsuccessful, culminating in Spain losing most of its American territories by the end of his reign.

One of Ferdinand's final political acts before his death was the controversial Pragmatic Sanction of 1830, which overturned the Salic Law prohibiting female succession. This edict allowed his daughter, Isabella II, to inherit the throne, which would later spark the Carlist Wars as factions within Spain debated the legitimacy of the law and the succession.

Ferdinand VII's reign was rife with contradiction and conflict. It epitomized the struggle between traditional monarchy and emerging liberal thought during a period when political absolutism was increasingly being challenged throughout Europe. His legacy is a complex tapestry of attempts to maintain royal authority amidst a backdrop of revolutionary change, war, and the gradual disintegration of the Spanish colonial empire. Ferdinand died on September 29, 1833, leaving a deeply divided Spain, thus setting the stage for continued political strife and the eventual liberal reforms of his successors.