1874

Spain became a

parliamentary monarchy

Alfonso XII was proclaimed King

of Spain

1876

Approval of the conservative

Constitution of 1876

It established limited male

suffrage

The last Carlist War ended in 1876 with the victory of Alfonso XII and his forces

There were only two official parties, the Liberals and the Conservatives, who alternated in power by manipulating election results.

The Republicans opposed the government because they felt excluded from the political system.

Regionalist movements developed in Andalucía, Cataluña, Galicia and País Vasco.

1885

Alfonso XII died / María Cristina,

his wife, became regent

1898

Disaster of ‘98As a result of the Spanish-

American War of 1898, Spain lost its last remaining

colonies to the United Sates: Cuba, Puerto Rico and the

Philippines.

The Disaster of 98’ had serious consequences: many

people criticized the government; loss of the

colonial markets; and working-class protests against conscription.

Only two official parties alternated in power.