History of Ferdinand VII of Spain

Ferdinand VII of Spain, often dubbed "El Deseado" (The Desired), occupies a contentious place in Spanish history marked by turbulent political shifts, periods of authoritarian rule, and the backdrop of Napoleonic interference. As a politician, Ferdinand's legacy is somewhat paradoxical, oscillating between being perceived as a legitimate monarch struggling against foreign invasion and being an absolutist ruler whose policies sowed internal discord and halted potential progress.

Ferdinand was born on October 14, 1784, in the royal family of King Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa of Parma. From a young age, he was engulfed in the royal politics of Spain, which during his father's reign was managed mostly by the king's favorite, Manuel Godoy. Godoy's influence at court generated considerable opposition and tension, a critical factor that set the stage for Ferdinand's later endeavors in politics. As the Spanish populace's disenchantment with Godoy grew, Ferdinand positioned himself as a rival to Godoy and, by extension, to his father, fostering alignments with factions critical of the royal favorite.

The political atmosphere of Spain during Ferdinand's formative years was significantly impacted by broader European upheavals, chiefly the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The latter period proved particularly consequential for Ferdinand's political life. In 1807, Spain was coerced into the Treaty of Fontainebleau, which permitted French troops to traverse Spain en route to Portugal. This diplomatic maneuver led to the eventual occupation of Spain itself, a critical juncture in Ferdinand's life and the nation's political trajectory.

By 1808, internal disquiet against Charles IV's regime reached a boiling point, precipitating the Tumult of Aranjuez, which resulted in Godoy's fall and Charles IV's abdication. Ferdinand ascended to the throne as Ferdinand VII. His early reign, however, was short-lived due to Napoleon's strategic maneuvers. In a bid to consolidate his influence over the Iberian Peninsula, Napoleon summoned Ferdinand to Bayonne, where he coerced him into abdicating the throne in favor of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother.

Ferdinand's forced abdication and subsequent imprisonment in France catalyzed widespread resistance within Spain, birthing a grassroots insurrection known as the Peninsular War (1808-1814). Spanish patriots, horrified by French occupation and the imposition of a foreign king, rallied behind supposed traditional values and the rejected monarch, painting Ferdinand as a symbol of resistance and a beacon of hope for a restoration of authentic Spanish rule.

During Ferdinand's absence, the Cortes of Cádiz assembled in 1810, reflecting a shift in Spanish governance toward liberal constitutionalism. In 1812, the Cádiz Cortes promulgated the Spanish Constitution, a foundational liberal document that curtailed monarchical power and promised a new era of governance based on Enlightenment principles. However, when Ferdinand was restored to the throne in 1814 following Napoleon's defeat, the newly minted political landscape was thrown into turmoil.

Upon his return to Spain, Ferdinand VII's actions as a political leader revealed a deep-seated commitment to absolutism and a rejection of constitutional constraints. Dismissing the Constitution of 1812 and re-establishing absolute monarchy, Ferdinand initiated a period of reactionary governance. This era, often referred to as the "Ominous Decade" (1823-1833), was marked by political repression, censorship, and persecution of liberals who had pushed for reform.

Despite his authoritarian inclinations, Ferdinand's reign was punctuated by political volatility and intermittent demands for liberal governance. These pressures culminated in the 1820 revolution led by Rafael del Riego, which forced Ferdinand to accept the liberal constitution once more, during a brief period known as the Trienio Liberal (1820-1823). Yet again, this liberal interlude was short-lived. In 1823, French intervention, known as the "Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis," restored Ferdinand’s absolute rule.

Ferdinand's political maneuvering had long-term implications for Spain. His refusal to abide by the liberal constitution perpetuated division and conflict, sowing seeds for future civil strife. His desire for a restored absolute monarchy contrasted sharply with emerging ideas about constitutional governance and civil liberties, thereby thwarting potential political modernization during his reign.

In contrast, one of Ferdinand’s critical decisions as a politician was his pragmatic approach towards the end of his life regarding his succession. The abolition of the Salic Law through the Pragmatic Sanction of 1830, which allowed his daughter Isabella to succeed him, sparked the Carlist Wars after his death due to conflicting claims between his brother, Carlos, and his young daughter. This succession crisis underscored the divisive nature of Ferdinand's reign.

Ferdinand VII died on September 29, 1833, leaving behind a complex legacy as a monarch and political figure. His life and reign highlight a period in Spanish history fraught with conflict between tradition and reform, power and progress. As a politician, Ferdinand's actions were primarily driven by the exigencies of maintaining power and control, often at the expense of broader political development. In sum, Ferdinand VII’s reign was one marked by an oscillation between authoritarian absolutism and reluctant acquiescence to the liberal demands of a nation in the throes of transformation.