Isabella II becomes Queen of Spain; First Carlist War begins

Background. Ferdinand VII, who suppressed liberal press from 1814 to 1833, died on 29 September 1833. His death triggered a succession crisis. Carlos, the late king's brother, revolted claiming legitimacy. The conflict involved factions over the throne's nature: Carlists sought absolute monarchy, while Liberals defended constitutional monarchy. The war lasted from 1833 to 1840.

Succession Crisis. Isabella II was proclaimed queen following Ferdinand VII's death on 29 September 1833. Maria Christina became regent for her daughter, who was two years old at the time. Maria Christina later introduced a bicameral model of government based on the Bourbon Restoration in France, known as the Spanish Royal Statute of 1834, a subsequent development that marked a shift from absolute to constitutional monarchy.

Political Factions. The war was fought between two factions. Conservative supporters of Carlos de Borbón were known as Carlists. Progressive supporters of the regent Maria Christina, acting for Isabella II, were called Liberals, cristinos, or isabelinos. The Carlists' goal was the return to an absolute monarchy, while the Liberals sought to defend the constitutional monarchy.