Thucydides
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Thucydides |
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Isabella II of Spain was in character, the polar opposite of her esteemed namesake. Even in an age that tolerated much depravity from monarchs, her dissipated behavior caused a stir, and resulted in her explusion from Spain at the age of 38. In Isabella's defense, the environment in which she was raised, was, from the beginning rife with corruption, and she was surrounded on all sides with political opportunists and intrique. She was largely a child of her age. Isabella was born to the fourth wife of Ferdinand VII, and her mother quickly sought to have the Salic laws of Spain modified so that she, rather than her uncle Don Carlos, would inherit the Spanish throne. The infanta Isabella was strongly preferred by the Liberal ministers of the palace, because they feared Don Carlos, like his brother, would sabatage their schemes to "reform" the government. The primary principles of reform involved confiscating church property, and taxing independent and self-governing provinces in order to increase the revenues of the central government, but at the same time, the liberals sought to restrict the influence of the monarch. The prospects for greater government revenues, coupled with the prospects of protecting special interests combined to create enormous palace intrique on all sides of the political specturm. It was into this seething caldron that Isabella was thrust at a very early age, as she assumed the 'reigns of government' at the age of only thirteen. Three years later, at the age of only sixteen, the Spanish monarch was forced, over her strong and vocal objections, to marry a prince of France whom she despised. Although twelve children were born of the marriage, it is doubtful that even one of them was the biological product of the King-consort. Instead, Isabella found refuge from her unhappy marriage, in relationships with various intriguers primarily from the reactionary side of the political spectrum. Her interference in political affairs was resented on all sides and in 1868 she was overthrown when a military rebellion, led by Juan Prim and Francisco Serrano, deprived her of support from the army. She abdicated in favor of her son, Alfonso XII, and went into exile in France. The exile of Isabella was followed by years of turmoil in Spain, including a brief republic, a brief stint as King of Spain by Amadeus of Savoy, and the Third Carlist War. Finally, in 1874, her son Alfonso XII was installed as a Spanish Monarch, to reign under a newly ratified liberal constitution. The Carlist movement died down, and Isabella spent her remaining years in exile. Key events during the life of Isabella II of Spain
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The Wedding of Isabella II.