A few years later Spain, whose policy was at this time directed by Alberoni, made an effort to recover some of her lost, possessions, but her aggressions were promptly met by the Quadruple Alliance of 1718 between Great Britain, France, Austria. and Holland, and the schemes of the able Prime Minister came to naught. In the War of the Polish Succession, however, Don Car los, son of Philip V., wrested the Two Sieilies from Austria and established the Bourbon dynasty there.
Philip was succeeded by his son. Ferdinand VI. (1740-50), in whose reign numerous reforms were introduced in the administration. Ferdi nand was succeeded by his half-brother Charles (1759-88), who, on ascending the Spanish throne, relinquished the Two Sieilies to his son, Ferdinand IV. Charles brought into Spain from his Italian domains a new spirit, and initiated reforms in the internal administration, foreign policy, and economics of the State. As a result of the Seven Years' War, in which Spain joined France, Florida was ceded to Great and Louisiana acquired from France (176n. In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled from the Spanish do minions. In 1779 Spain became the ally of France in the war against England. and in 1783 she recovered Florida, which in 1819 was ceded to the 'United States. Charles IV. (1799-1808) was incapable of continuing his father's vigorous policy. Ile was under the control of the notori ous Godoy (q.v.), the Queen's favorite, who played into the hands of Napoleon for his own profit. In March, 1808, the Icing abdicated in favor of his son, Ferdinand, and the latter was compelled to renounce his claims to the crown in favor of his father, who then handed his right over to Napoleon. The latter then conferred the Spanish crown upon his brother Joseph Bona parte. Deserted by their rulers, the Spanish peo ple organized resistance. declared for Ferdinand VII., and refused to recognize the Bonapartes. A supreme junta of leading Spaniards was estab lished at Seville and subordinate juntas were formed in each of the provinces.
It was the obstinate resistance of Spain and the efficient work of the supporting English armies in the Peninsular War that first checked Napoleon and showed Europe that he was not invincible. (See PENINSULAR WAR.) Meanwhile the Spanish colonies in America revolted, and after a fierce warfare of sixteen years the Span ish dominion on the American mainland was completely extinguished (1826). After the expulsion of the French King, Ferdinand returned to Spain and entered Madrid May 14, 1814. The liberal Constitution of 1812 enacted by the Cortes was at once abrogated, the religious Orders were restored to their earlier predominance, the Cortes were abolished, and the Inquisition was reestablished. A popular reac tion aided the King and his Ministers in this course. A liberal revolution in 1820 restored the Constitution of 1812 and instituted a Cortes which was notable for its extreme liberalism.
The Inquisition was abolished and the privileges and exemptions of the Church were invaded. The clergy and the peasants opposed the revolution, but it was received with favor by the army and the educated classes. In 1822 the Holy Alliance (q.v.) took note of the Spanish situation, and France was commissioned to suppress the liberal movement. A French army of nearly 100,000 men invaded the peninsula and the Spanish forces were entirely unable to meet the attack. On May 24, 1823, the French entered Madrid, estab lished a regency. drove the Cortes from Seville to Cadiz and out of the country. and restored Ferdi nand, who had been declared of unsound mind by the Cortes. The King at once revoked all of the liberal measures, except the abolition of the Inquisition. Repression and wholesale punish ment followed. The French army remained in occupation until 1827. Bermudez, the Prime Minister, adopted finally a moderate policy, but this satisfied neither absolutists nor liberals. The clerical party guided by the Apostolic Junta ral lied around Ferdinand's brother, Don Carlos, as the representative of extreme absolutism and clericalism, and a number of insurrections were started by the Junta in his interest. In 1S31 Ferdinand. having no male heir, decreed the on behalf of his daughter Isabella, of the old law admitting female succession. Ferdinand died in 1833 and Queen Maria Christina became Regent for her daughter Isabella II. The Carlists proclaimed their candidate as Charles V.. and there was an immediate division of parties in the kingdom into Carlists and Cristinos. The Queen Regent was compelled to turn to the liberals for support. A royal charter, in lieu of a constitu tion, was pronmlgated in 1834, hut it did not give real popular government, and the Ministry and the Chambers were both under the control of the Crown. Civil war broke out and the Carlists were at first successful. An alliance was con cluded by the Regent with England, France, and Portugal, for the purpose of maintaining the crowns of Spain and Portugal against the pre tenders, Carlos and Miguel (qq.v.). The death of Zumalit-Carreguy (q.v.), the only Carlist leader of ability, and the accession to the command of the Government forces of General Espartero (q.v.) turned the tide. Maroto, the Carlist commander, concluded the convention of Vergara with the Government in 1S39 and returned to his al legiance with his army. By this treaty Navarre and the Basque Provinces, which had been the strongholds of Carlism, were confirmed in their ancient privileges. Espartero defeated the rem nants of the Carlists in Catalonia. and Don Carlos went into exile, handing over his preten sions to his son.