Leopoldo O'Donnell takes control of the Spanish government
- When
- 1856
- Where
- Madrid (inferred institutional locality; physical coup site not stated in sources)
- Episodes
- 1
General Leopoldo O'Donnell seized control of the Spanish government in July 1856, ending the Progressive Biennium. This coup, driven by instability, resulted in Espartero relinquishing power. O'Donnell formed a government as Prime Minister, marking the transition from Progressive to Moderate dominance.
Episodes
Background and detail
Background. The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856) was a period where the Progressive Party attempted to reform the political system of Isabella II's reign, which had been dominated by the Moderate Party since 1843. Street protests began in Zaragoza in February 1854 and extended throughout the country by July. O'Donnell, a moderate, had previously led the Vicalvarada in 1854 to demand an end to corruption.
The Coup. In July 1856, facing instability and conflict, O'Donnell led another coup. This action ended the Progressive Biennium. Espartero relinquished power in O'Donnell's favour on 14–15 July 1856. Queen Isabella II asked O'Donnell to form a government, making him the 44th Prime Minister of Spain.
Aftermath. The coup resulted in the seizure of power by O'Donnell, who was a 'puritan' moderate. A Liberal Constitution drafted in 1856 was never enacted because the counter-revolutionary coup by O'Donnell seized power. This marked the end of the Progressive attempt to reform the political system.
People involved
- Leopoldo O'Donnell · General and Prime Minister
- Baldomero Espartero · Former Prime Minister
- Isabella II · Queen of Spain
Sources
- Leopoldo O'Donnell Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-24
- Bienio progresista Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-24
- Isabella II Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.