Spanish Revolution of 1820

Spanish history

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July 14, 2026

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The Spanish Revolution of 1820 was a pivotal moment in Spanish history, driven by liberal ideals and military dissent. Following the French invasion and the War of Independence, a liberal constitution was drafted in Cadiz in 1812. This constitution aimed to establish a limited monarchy and a centralized administration, inspired by revolutionary France. However, King Ferdinand VII, upon his return in 1814, abolished the constitution and ruled as an absolute monarch. In 1820, a military revolt, or pronunciamiento, led by Major Rafael de Riego, forced Ferdinand VII to reinstate the constitution. This period, known as the Liberal Triennium, saw the reestablishment of liberal legislation. The revolution ultimately failed due to a conservative backlash and internal divisions among liberals, leading to the intervention of French troops and the collapse of the liberal system. This revolution also coincided with and influenced independence movements in Spanish America.123

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history of Europe
The conservative reaction
A rebellion in Spain was also suppressed, though only after several years, foreshadowing more than a century of recurrent political instability; the revolution also confirmed Spain’s loss of most of its American colonies, which had first risen during the Napoleonic occupation. A Greek revolution against Ottoman control fared…
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A rebellion in Spain was also suppressed, though only after several years, foreshadowing more than a century of recurrent political instability; the revolution also confirmed Spain’s loss of most of its American colonies, which had first risen during the Napoleonic occupation. A Greek revolution against Ottoman control fared…
Read More

Spain
The failure of liberalism
The revolution of 1820 brought into power the “jailbirds”—liberals of the 1812 vintage who had been persecuted by Ferdinand VII. The constitution of 1812 was reestablished together with other liberal legislation, including the sale of monastic property.
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The revolution of 1820 brought into power the “jailbirds”—liberals of the 1812 vintage who had been persecuted by Ferdinand VII. The constitution of 1812 was reestablished together with other liberal legislation, including the sale of monastic property.
Read More