Universal male suffrage and the political regeneration in Spain and France (1868-1871)

Abstract

Throughout the 19th century, the establishment and the consolidation of universal male suffrage was a slow and difficult process. It was instituted in several nations where revolutions and/or wars had created a need for it. This was the case in Spain and in France where, between 1868 and 1871, a change in the political regime led to the introduction of legislative elections. In this context, universal suffrage, together with certain other rights, was considered a basic element for political regeneration. Thus, the initiatives taken by the political parties that were fighting for seats, the reaction of the media, the citizens confronted with the announcement of elections, and the attitude of the Government constituted a novel political environment. By comparing the situation in Spain and France, this paper explores how the different political cultures—liberal, republican, legitimist—shaped the profiles of the political representatives. Elements both of continuity and change in Spanish and French politics may be detected behind the personalities of those who were standing for parliament after the respective failures of Isabel II and Napoleon III. For the purposes of this discussion we have focused on two elements: the mechanisms used to set up the candidatures, and the speeches the candidates made to win the votes of the electors. By way of reference material, I make use of historiography, contemporary newspapers and publications.