The beginning of the nineteenth century in the history of Spain was marked by the onset of the Spanish War of Independence. Fought against the French under Bonaparte, it lasted between 1808 and 1813. The French were defeated, and Fernando VII of Asturias assumed the crown. The first Spanish constitutional text was promulgated in the city of Cadiz in 1812. It ratified the sovereignty of Spain, recognized Fernando as the legitimate monarch, and granted inviolability to his deputies. This was the beginning of Spanish constitutionalism. At this time, Spain also lost its South American colonies, except Cuba and Puerto Rico, to independence.

The history of Spain during the rest of the nineteenth century is one of dynastic and civil wars. As Fernando died without producing a male heir, his daughter took the throne as Isabel II, but her uncle, Don Carlos, opposed her claim, thus giving rise to the first of the two Carlist Wars between Isabella’s forces and the forces of Don Carlos. Spain during this time saw a succession of rulers, namely, Maria Cristina, Espartero, Ramon Maria Narvaez, Isabella II and Amadeus of Savoy. Revolution and anarchy were the ruling tendencies of the day. In 1873, Amadeus fled the country, and a government of radicals was formed that declared Spain a republic. The rule of the republic was a troubled one.

In 1874, for the sake of peace, the Spaniards accepted Isabella II’s son, Alfonso the XII, as their ruler. Alfonso was able to procure some amount of stability and economic progress for his people. But his death in 1885, followed by the assassination of his successor, Canova Del Castillo, in 1897 brought the forces of anarchy to the forefront once again. This period in the history of Spain is also significant for a near-complete loss of its colonial possessions. Spain ceded control over its remaining colonies, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Spanish colonial possessions were reduced to Morocco, Sahara and Guinea in Africa.

Anarchy and fascism continued to scar the history of Spain in the beginning of the twentieth century. Spain remained neutral during World War I, supplying materials to both sides, and boosting its economy. King Alfonso XIII occupied the throne with the help of the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera. But the alliance ultimately failed, Alfonso fled the country, and the Spaniards voted the republican parties to power in the elections of 1931. The Second Spanish Republic survived from 1931 to 1939 and was plagued by economic turmoil, substantial debts and warring government coalitions.

The Civil War broke out in 1936 between the Republicans and the Nationalists. The Nationalists, under the leadership of General Franco, defeated the Republican forces by 1939. Franco assumed absolute dictatorship by creating only one party, the Falange, banned the left-wing parties, Republicans and trade unions, and imprisoned and executed thousands of Republicans. During his rule, the history of Spain demonstrates an increasing isolation from the outside world. Economically though, Franco’s regime brought success to Spain. After Franco’s death in 1975, control was given to King Juan Carlos. At this time, Spain moved from dictatorship to liberal democracy.