The reign of Fernando VII
Daniel Lorenzo Valdivieso
Once Fernando VII returned in Spain he was received by a group of absolutist parliamentarians with the Manifesto of the Persians, where he was demanded to restore absolutism in Spain. Hence, Ferdinand VII enacted the Decrees of Valencia (4 May 1814), where he annulled all the decisions adopted in the Cortes de Cádiz and restored absolutism. The first stage of Ferdinand VII’s reign is the so-called Absolutist Sexennium (1814-1820).

There were many internal problems, such as the bankruptcy, liberal coup d’états, and the war of independence of the American colonies.

On 1 January 1820 the Colonel Riego staged a coup d’état in Cabezas de San Juan (Seville) demanding the reestablishment of the Constitution of 1812. It was the beginning of the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823). Fernando VII could not control the new situation and accepted to establish a liberal regime.

Fernando VII demanded the aid of the international powers, which sent to Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis, led by the Duke of Angoulême. It was the end of the Liberal Triennium.

After the international intervention Fernando VII restored the absolutism again. It was the so-called Ominous Decade (1823-1833).

The liberals were ruthlessly repressed and persecuted in this period and many of them were executed, such as Riego himself, General Torrijos or Mariana Pineda (blamed for embroidering a liberal flag).

Fernando VII’s main problem was related to his succession: