CARLIST WARS PART II THE ‘CARLIST STATE’
The Convention of Vergara agreed by generals Rafael Maroto (Carlist) and Baldomero Espartero (Liberal) on 31 August 1839 put an end to armed conflict in the Basque-Navarre region. However it failed to solve the problems that had caused the war. Espartero had promised to respect the region’s fueros – which made them subordinate to the Constitution. For most Carlists this confirmed Maroto’s betrayal but the lingering problem was that the Liberal model of government was never consolidated under the reign of Isabel II. Opposing Liberal groups fought for power, relying on the support of military commanders who defended their ideas. Between 1836 and 1868, the year that Isabel II was dethroned in the September Revolution, Spain saw 57 governments and 16 military uprisings.
“BETWEEN 1836 AND 1868 SPAIN SAW 57 GOVERNMENTS AND 16 MILITARY UPRISINGS”
In this climate, Carlos VI, son of Carlos María Isidro – Carlos V, who had started the First Carlist War –
