Although the evolution of various political systems looks complicated, at the end of the day, they are all caused by the people’s dissatisfaction with those in power.
This actually means that whether it is a monarchy or a parliamentary republic, fundamentally there is no real difference in goodness or badness.
The most fundamental issue is whether the needs of the masses can be met; this evolves into European dissatisfaction with those in power and the government, which is the true cause of revolutions.
If only the Spanish government had been able to pay attention to the current conditions of the people and introduce some policies to try and improve their lives as much as possible, perhaps this revolution wouldn’t have happened, and Spain’s absolute monarchy could have continued to exist.
This also meant that Spain’s problems were already extremely severe; the people could no longer fill their stomachs or survive, which triggered the revolution.
The report published by Carlo delved right into the core of Spain’s problems, addressing the most fundamental demand of the Spanish people: improving the quality of life.
Eating bread and drinking milk—although these seem like perfectly normal requests, for the year 1868, over 100 years ago, it was extremely difficult.
Even simplified by two levels down to simply having enough to eat and drink, the Kingdom of Spain’s government couldn’t fulfill it.
What Carlo needed to do was shift the blame entirely onto Queen Isabella and the Bourbon dynasty, whitewashing the monarchy as much as possible.
A bit later, on November 30, 1868, Madrid, Spain.
“General, there’s a report from Italy that requires your attention.” Prim, who was about to finish a busy day’s work, had his actions interrupted by a subordinate’s remark.
“A report?
From Italy?” Prim was somewhat surprised and asked, “What wind blew an Italian report all the way to Spain?” “It’s an article regarding monarchy versus republicanism, General.” The subordinate handed over a newspaper; right in the middle was a clearly printed headline: “We Need Bread, Not a Republic.” “Interesting.” Prim originally hadn’t planned to take the paper, but upon seeing the headline, he accepted it and opened it to read.
This report was reprinted by small newspapers in Madrid, translating the Italian into Spanish so the Spanish people could read it.
“How well has this report spread in other places?” After Prim finished reading the whole article, he suddenly asked a strange question.
“Besides minor circulation in Madrid, there’s been small-scale spreading in Barcelona, Valencia, and Valladolid, and newspapers in all those cities have reported such news.” Prim smiled, a profound look in his eyes, and said teasingly, “It seems someone deliberately placed this report on my desk.” “General, I…” Just as the subordinate was about to explain, Prim interrupted him, smiling, “Alright, I naturally believe in your loyalty.
What I mean is, at this moment, I’m afraid someone has already set their sights on Spain.
For an Italian report to circulate widely in so many cities in such a short time proves the enemy came prepared.
If they just happened to stumble upon this revolution by coincidence, that’s one thing.
But if our revolution was long anticipated by the person behind this, that is truly concerning.” Seeing his subordinate’s worried expression, Prim patted his shoulder and comforted him: “Alright, I have absolutely no intention of doubting you.
Now I give you a task: go to Italy and investigate the source of this report, and find out clearly who owns that newspaper.” Although he puzzled over who wanted to use this report for what end, the report itself was still very useful to Prim right now.
The simplest examples cited in it were irrefutable, because at this time, the powerful European countries were all monarchies.
This also helped Prim steer the new government towards a constitutional monarchy, utilizing the method of concentrating power in the national government to realize his desired reforms for Spain.
Why did Prim oppose a republic?
Because the republican system proposed by those peasants and workers was a loose Spanish federation.
This would not only set off waves of independence movements in Spanish regions that already leaned toward independence but also cause the Spanish government to lose control over various localities.
What the reformists wanted was a stable government to implement reforms, not a fragmented and chaotic one; this was why Prim ultimately chose a constitutional monarchy.
As one of the most powerful people within the ranks of the Spanish revolution, Prim’s opinion exerted significant influence.
The Spanish provisional government did not stop the spread of this report; even those major capitalist classes actively helped spread it to more Spanish cities.
Thanks to the heated discussion stirred up by this report, the Spanish people also began discussing the merits and demerits of the monarchy and the responsibilities of the overthrown Queen Isabella II.
Saving the country in a crisis was impossible for them, but when it came to madly shifting blame and avoiding their own responsibilities, those capitalists were experts.
Since Queen Isabella had already lost the throne, and the provisional government had no intention of welcoming back the Queen or Prince Alfonso…
Then if they didn’t hit someone when they were down right now, were they going to wait until others shifted all the blame onto themselves and that damned Queen before resting?
For their own interests, the capitalists wouldn’t show the slightest mercy.
Starting from December, the climate in Madrid grew much colder—at least it was for the Bourbon loyalists.
Queen Isabella II’s reputation could no longer be described merely as terrible, as her prior reputation was already horrible enough.
The people’s anger was redirected by the capitalists and some nobles with ulterior motives onto Queen Isabella.
At the very least, those factory owners and nobles who had frantically exploited Spaniards didn’t have to worry about taking a bullet in the back.
But for Queen Isabella, far away in France, this was not a good thing, because she was still thinking of finding an opportunity to restore her throne.
However, not all nobles were happy at this time.
The Carlist faction, originating from the same family as Queen Isabella, was in a very unpleasant mood.
Queen Isabella’s terrible reputation affected the Bourbon dynasty, and as a member of the Bourbon dynasty, “Carlos VII” currently had no fewer worries than Queen Isabella.
More importantly, after multiple generations of inheritance, the Carlist faction was no longer recognized by the majority of people.
Especially after the Second Carlist War, “Carlos VI” took power and became the leader of the Carlist faction.
But a few years later, this self-proclaimed King of Spain was arrested by government troops, and “Carlos VI” was forced to renounce his right to succession.
“Carlos VI’s” brother, Juan, capitalized on this and became “Juan III,” the King of Spain proclaimed by the Carlists without any preparation.
However, the Carlists didn’t strongly support this “King” who had picked up the crown.
Coupled with the fact that the childless “Carlos VI” was released soon after being forced to renounce his claim, a situation of two kings standing simultaneously emerged within the Carlist faction.
As self-entertaining kings who were already unrecognized by the majority, the appearance of two kings further lowered the Carlists’ support.
Although “Carlos VI” passed away soon after, the so-called pretender “Juan III” still failed to gain strong support from the Carlists.
As a result, the Carlists were completely powerless to stop this Spanish revolution, nor did they have the strength to push “Juan III” onto the throne.
Since starting his public opinion campaign, Carlo had kept his attention entirely on the situation in Spain.
Upon learning that the report had been widely reprinted and spread across various places in Spain, Carlo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But soon, Carlo began to have new worries.
Such actions were completely different from history, and the fact that the report could be widely spread in Spain definitely meant Carlo wasn’t the only one exerting effort.
It was fine if it achieved good results, but if it negatively affected the situation in Spain and pushed Spain towards a republic, Carlo’s teeth would ache with regret.
But right now, Carlo didn’t have any better solutions.
He could only pray that General Prim, who supported the monarchy historically, would be as capable as he was in history, taking the majority of seats in the Spanish parliamentary elections, becoming the Prime Minister of the Spanish government in one fell swoop, and taking control of all of Spain.
(END CHAPTER)