# First Spanish Republic

> political regime that existed in Spain between 11 February 1873 and 29 December 1874

**Wikidata**: [Q497777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q497777)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Spanish_Republic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/first-spanish-republic

## Summary
The First Spanish Republic was a short-lived political regime that governed Spain from 11 February 1873 to 29 December 1874, established after the overthrow of King Amadeo I and preceding the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. It marked Spain's first attempt at a republican government, characterized by political instability and social unrest.

## Key Facts
- **Existed**: 11 February 1873 – 29 December 1874.
- **Preceded by**: Kingdom of Spain (under Amadeo I).
- **Succeeded by**: Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy.
- **Capital**: Madrid.
- **Currency**: Peseta.
- **Coordinates**: 40.2° N, 3.5° W (central Spain).
- **Type**: Historical sovereign state.
- **Key Events**: Cantonal rebellion (1873), Petroleum Revolution (1873), Battle of Portmán (1873).
- **Related Documents**: Spanish Draft Constitution of 1873 (unimplemented).
- **Sitelink Count**: 45 (Wikidata).
- **Part of**: Sexenio Democrático (1868–1874 democratic period).

## FAQs
- **Q: How long did the First Spanish Republic last?**  
  It lasted 1 year and 10 months, from February 1873 to December 1874, making it one of Spain's shortest-lived regimes.  

- **Q: What government structure did it adopt?**  
  It attempted to establish a federal republic, though the 1873 draft constitution was never fully implemented due to political instability.  

- **Q: Why did the republic collapse?**  
  The republic fell to a military coup led by General Arsenio Martínez-Campos, which restored the Bourbon monarchy under Alfonso XII.  

- **Q: What notable uprisings occurred during this period?**  
  The Cantonal rebellion (1873) saw regional cantons like Cartagena declare independence, while the Petroleum Revolution involved worker uprisings in Alcoy.  

- **Q: How is it connected to later Spanish history?**  
  It influenced the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939) and remains a reference point in debates over Spanish federalism.  

## Why It Matters
The First Spanish Republic represents a pivotal experiment in Spain's transition from monarchy to modern governance. Despite its brief existence, it highlighted tensions between centralized authority and regional autonomy, setting precedents for future political reforms. Its failure underscored the challenges of stabilizing a republic in a deeply divided society, shaping Spain's cautious approach to democratization in the 20th century.

## Notable For
- **First Republic**: Spain's initial attempt to establish a non-monarchical government.  
- **Federal Experiment**: Attempted decentralized governance through the 1873 draft constitution.  
- **Cantonal Rebellion**: A wave of regional secessions that weakened central authority.  
- **Petroleum Revolution**: A workers' uprising in Alcoy that demonstrated social unrest.  
- **Short Duration**: Collapsed after 22 months due to military intervention.  
- **Legacy**: Influenced the structure of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939).  

## Body

### History
The First Spanish Republic was proclaimed on 11 February 1873 following the resignation of King Amadeo I, ending the brief reign of the House of Savoy. It emerged during the Sexenio Democrático (1868–1874), a period of liberal reform. The republic was dissolved on 29 December 1874 after General Arsenio Martínez-Campos' coup in Sagunto restored Bourbon rule under Alfonso XII.

### Government and Politics
- **Structure**: A federal republic was proposed in the 1873 draft constitution, though it was never ratified.  
- **Leadership**: Four presidents held office during its tenure, including Nicolás Salmerón and Emilio Castelar.  
- **Challenges**: Frequent cabinet changes and clashes between radical federalists and conservative republicans hindered governance.  

### Key Events
- **Cantonal Rebellion (1873)**: Seventeen regions, including Cartagena, declared independence, leading to naval battles like the Battle of Portmán.  
- **Petroleum Revolution (1873)**: Workers in Alcoy established a short-lived socialist commune, suppressed by government forces.  
- **Pronunciamiento of Sagunto (1874)**: The military coup that ended the republic, supported by conservative elites.  

### Related Entities
- **Preceded By**: The Kingdom of Spain under Amadeo I (1870–1873).  
- **Succeeded By**: The Bourbon Restoration (1874–1931).  
- **Connected Regions**: The breakaway Canton of Cartagena (12 July – 12 January 1874).  
- **Cultural Links**: The Real Academia de España en Roma, founded in 1873, reflected republican cultural ambitions.  

### Legacy
Though the First Spanish Republic failed to endure, it laid groundwork for future democratic movements. Its emphasis on federalism and secular governance contrasted sharply with monarchical traditions, influencing later reforms. The republic's collapse also underscored the military's role in Spanish politics, a pattern that persisted into the 20th century.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel