ABSTRACT
Gregorio Alonso examines the range of political ideologies in the second half of the century. Consideration is not only given to internal factors but how we might situate Spain internationally. Many of the processes, from military involvement in domestic affairs to corrupt electoral practices, were common to its neighbours though the declining position of Spain geo-politically was a clear marker of difference. Anti-clericalism of varying degrees of intensity formed part of the common platform of the liberal political family. Periods of political exile ensured exchange of experiences and ideologies across frontiers, whilst developments in the 1840s and conservative restoration, align with broader European trends. Spanish liberalism, federalism and republicanism were also picked up and re-interpreted by international audiences. Spanish conservatives recovered from political defeats and also learned from liberalism by embarking on their own projects of mass mobilisation. Renewed Carlism, a brief Republic and cantonalism ushered in an attempted political stabilisation with the Restoration political system which new forces would later challenge.
