Second Carlist War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Carlist War
Part of the Carlist Wars
The Battle of Pasteral, 1849.
Date 1846–1849 Location Spain Result Liberal victory
Belligerents
Carlists	Liberals
Commanders and leaders
See list Carlos VI Ramón Cabrera	See list Isabella II Maria Christina Ramón de Narváez Fernando de Córdova
Strength
Carlists: 100,000 or more	Liberals: 500,000 or more

The Second Carlist War was a civil war that happened in Spain between 1846 and 1849. It is also known as the War of the Matiners. "Matiners" is a Catalan word meaning "early-risers." This name came from the way the fighting often started very early in the morning.

This war was mainly fought in Catalonia. The Carlists, led by General Ramón Cabrera, fought against the Spanish government. The government was led by Queen Isabella II.

What Caused the Second Carlist War?

The main reason for this war was a disagreement about who should rule Spain. The Carlists believed that Carlos de Borbón (also called Carlos VI) should be king. He was a "pretender" to the throne, meaning he claimed the right to be king.

Some people thought that Queen Isabella II should marry Carlos de Borbón. This marriage would have united the two sides. However, Isabella II married Francisco de Borbón instead. This meant the Carlists' hope for a peaceful solution ended.

Where Did the Fighting Happen?

The war started in September 1846 and lasted until May 1849. Most of the fighting took place in Catalonia. The conflict also spread to Galicia.

However, this war was not very big in the Basque Country. This area was usually a major place for Carlist uprisings. Because of this, when people talk about the "Second Carlist War," they often mean the Third Carlist War instead.

How Did the War End?

The Second Carlist War happened at the same time as the democratic Revolutions of 1848 in Europe. During this time, Maria Christina, Isabella II's mother, changed the constitution.

Ramón de Narváez led the government's efforts against the rebels in Galicia. Meanwhile, Fernando de Córdova was the general in charge of Catalonia. He successfully put down the small groups of rebels there by early 1849.

In June 1849, the government offered "amnesty" to the Carlists. This meant that the Carlists who had fought or fled the country were forgiven. Many of them then returned home. The war caused between 3,000 and 10,000 deaths.

See also

In Spanish: Segunda guerra carlista para niños