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Carlist Wars |
TheCarlist Wars (Spanish:guerras carlistas,Basque:karlistadak) were a series ofcivil wars that took place inSpain during the 19th century. The contenders fought over claims tothe throne, although some political differences also existed. Several times during the period from 1833 to 1876 theCarlists—followers ofDon Carlos (1788–1855), aninfante, and of his descendants—rallied to the cry of "God, Country, and King" and fought for the cause of Spanish tradition (Legitimism andCatholicism) againstliberalism, and later therepublicanism, of the Spanish governments of the day. The Carlist Wars had a strong regional component (Basque region,Catalonia, etc.), given that the new order called into question region-specific law arrangements and customs kept for centuries.
When KingFerdinand VII of Spain died in 1833, his widow, QueenMaria Cristina, becameregent on behalf of their two-year-old daughter QueenIsabella II. The country splintered intotwo factions known as theCristinos (or Isabelinos) and the Carlists. The Cristinos supported Queen Maria Cristina and her government, and were the party of the Liberals. The Carlists advocated forInfante Carlos of Spain, Count of Molina, a pretender to the throne and brother of the deceased Ferdinand VII. Carlos denied the validity of thePragmatic Sanction of 1830 that abolished the semiSalic Law (he was born before 1830). The Carlists wanted a return to autocratic monarchy.[1]
While some historians count three wars, other authors and popular usage refer to the existence of two major engagements, the First (1833–1840) and the Second (1872–1876) Carlist Wars, treating the 1846–1849 events as a minor episode.
The Carlists were primarily composed of rural and traditionalist elements, and were more successful initially due to their use of guerrilla warfare tactics. However, they were ultimately defeated by the liberal forces led by General Baldomero Espartero.[3]
