Trienio Liberal begins with Cádiz insurrection (1820)

The Trienio Liberal began with a military insurrection in January 1820, led by Rafael del Riego against Ferdinand VII's absolutism. Soldiers at Cádiz, angry over pay and conditions, mutinied, forcing the King to accept the 1812 Constitution. This event marked the start of a three-year liberal period in Spain, characterized by the restoration of constitutional rule.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Ferdinand VII refused to accept the liberal Spanish Constitution of 1812, causing widespread unrest, particularly within the army. Soldiers assembled at Cádiz for an expedition to South America were dissatisfied with infrequent pay, bad food, and poor quarters. This dissatisfaction created a fertile ground for mutiny, as liberals sought to restore the constitution abolished by the King in 1814.

The Insurrection. On 1 January 1820, Rafael del Riego, Antonio Quiroga, and other officers initiated a mutiny in Andalusia. Riego, leading his battalion at Cabezas de San Juan, proclaimed the restoration of the 1812 Constitution. This event, known as the Pronunciamiento de Riego, was a major development in Spanish liberalism, forcing the King to concede to constitutional demands.

Political Aftermath. Despite the rebels' relative weakness, Ferdinand VII accepted the constitution on 9 March 1820, granting power to liberal ministers. This ushered in the Liberal Triennium, a period of liberal rule. The uprising forced the King to restore the Constitution, marking the beginning of a three-year period where a liberal government ruled Spain.

People involved

Sources

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