Historical and Commemorative
Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
FERNANDO VII- MEXICO CITY, EL COMERCIO SURIA, Tomas: Spain/Mexico, 1809, Silver, 57x44 mm Ferdinand VII, King of Spain (1784-1833) was the eldest
son of Charles IV, King of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. As prince he felt
excluded from government and sought the support of Napoleon, prompting his
arrest for treason by his father. In 1808 the revolt of Aranjuez forced
Charles IV to abdicate in favor of Ferdinand. However, this portion of his
reign was to be short lived as Napoleon began the Peninsular War, which
toppled Ferdinand, installed Joseph Bonaparte in power, and put Ferdinand in
prison in France. In 1812 Spain proclaimed a liberal constitution, which
Ferdinand quickly abolished upon his restoration. Liberal opposition
organized by secret societies, such as the Carbonari, forced him to
reinstate the constitution. But with the help of French troops, Ferdinand
crushed the liberals and again revoked the constitution. During his reign,
Spain lost all of her American possessions. When Ferdinand died, his
daughter Isabella II was proclaimed Queen. This was challenged by the
conservatives who supported the claim of Ferdinand's brother Don Carlo,
prompting a civil war in Spain. |
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