Stalemate and Cristino Victory, 1838–40

Abstract

The defeat of the Royal Expedition passed the strategic initiative to the Cristino army. Whilst Espartero’s Army of the North tightened the noose around the Basque country in the north, Narváez’s Army of Reserve suppressed both remaining Carlist pockets and radical liberalism in the south. Cristino tactics, strategy and supplies improved. States of siege were imposed in a growing number of Cristino provincial capitals, Revoluciónary Militia units were purged, militarised or disbanded. The moderado government (elected in 1837) justified counter-revolución in terms of the Carlist threat, eroding constitutional liberties and governance in order to streamline the war effort. But the progresista opposition rallied by mobilising disbanded militia, press campaigns and, above all, their resilient power bases of popularly elected local government. They also enlisted the support of the Cristino war hero, General Espartero. Espartero brokered a victorious peace settlement with his Carlist opposite number, Rafael Maroto, which outlawed Don Carlos, allowed Carlists to join Cristino ranks, and promised that the Basque ancient laws (fueros) would be respected. Rafael Maroto’s command of the Carlist army from June 1838 excluded the Apostólico faction from power, culminating in his execution of several of their leading figures, and prepared the way for a compromise peace with the Cristinos.