Isabel II was the queen (1833-1868). It was a period of instability in Spain. There were frequent changes of government and military coups. Isabel was forced to leave Spain in 1868 and she abdicated. The monarchy was restored in 1874. The period after that is known as the Restoration.
After Isabel II left Spain:
• Amadeo of Savoy, an Italian prince, became king of Spain in 1871, chosen by the Cortes. But he faced a lot of opposition and he abdicated in 1873.
• In 1873 the First Republic was proclaimed. In 1874 there was a military coup led by General Martínez Campos, and the Republic ended.
In 1874 the Restoration began. Alfonso XII, Isabel II’s son, returned to Spain to become king. The politician Antonio Cánovas Del Castillo prepared it.
He organized a political system with two political parties: the Conservatives (led by Cánovas) and the Liberals (led by Sagasta). There were elections but only some men could vote. The elections were manipulated and both parties took turns in the government. This was a period of stability which lasted into the 20th century.
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