Spanish Revolution of 1854

The first steps towards revolution began on 20 February 1854, when militant followers of the Democratic Party, aided by civilians like Eduardo Ruiz Pons, attempted to carry out an uprising in Zaragoza, but failed.

On 28 June 1854, General O’Donnell brought into motion the revolt, but a skirmish a few days later with royal troops in a village outside of Madrid, Vicalvaro - where the revolution gets its name from, La Vicalvarada, - proved difficult.

Its proposals included conserving the monarchy but taking away the monarch's entourage, lowering taxes and re-establishing the national militia (two long-held aspirations of the progressives and democrats), new printing and electoral laws, and the decentralization of administrative power.

Such attacks extended to the president, the Count of San Luís, and the Queen Mother, María Cristina de Borbón, who had to take refuge with her children in the East Palace.

The latter protest became a peaceful one led by the chant "more bread, less consumption", which also occurred in other Leonese, Catalan, and Asturian cities.,[5][6] According to some sources, the revolters wanted not only the re-establishment of the national military, but also the suppression of the 1845 moderate constitution and amnesty for their political prisoners.There were also uprisings in Zaragoza and Logroño.

As a condition of his acceptance, Espartero summoned the Constituent Court and asked that the Queen Mother María Cristina respond to accusations of corruption, and that Isabel publish a manifest acknowledging her errors.

The queen accepted all of the conditions and on 26 July she published the following manifest addressed to the public:[8] “The appointment of the Duke of Victoria (Espartero) to the position of president of the Minister Council, assured by my total adherence to his ideas, that which are inspired by and addressed to public support and happiness, will be the best choice for everyone and this country moving forward.” On 28 July, Espartero made a grand entrance in Madrid, greeted by crowds and hugged his old enemy O’Donnell.