April 20, 1871
The Third Carlist War began in Spain, a movement by Catholic regent Carlos, Duke of Madrid to claim the Spanish throne.
Spain, Spain | Carlist Movement
The Third Carlist War was a significant episode in Spanish history, primarily occurring from 1872 to 1876, despite initial tensions emerging soon after the rejection of the Carlist pretender in 1870. Although it did not actually begin on April 20, 1871, it was characterized by continual strife over the royal succession and political ideology in Spain.
The conflict stemmed from a longstanding dynastic dispute concerning the Spanish throne. The Carlists supported the claims of Don Carlos, Duke of Madrid, who was the grandson of Infante Carlos, Count of Molina, the original Carlist pretender. This movement was deeply rooted in traditionalism and sought to restore the conservative monarchy aligned with the interests of the Catholic Church and regional fueros (traditional laws).
The Third Carlist War arose out of political instability following the overthrow of Queen Isabella II in 1868 and the succession issues it triggered. The proclamation of the First Spanish Republic in 1873 exacerbated tensions, leading to increased Carlist activity. As the Carlist movement had its strongest support in the rural and conservative areas of Northern Spain, regions like Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Navarre became central battlegrounds.
The conflict officially commenced in 1872 when open warfare broke out, but significant events did develop in the years preceding. Carlos, Duke of Madrid, leveraged the uncertainty created by the change in governance to rally supporters to his cause. Throughout the war, Carlist forces, comprised mostly of irregular troops, conducted guerrilla tactics against government forces.
The war concluded in 1876 with the defeat of the Carlists. The central government, led by Alfonso XII after the restoration of the monarchy in 1874, stabilized its control over Spain. Although the Carlists were militarily defeated, they remained a political force, influencing Spanish politics through the 20th century.
The Third Carlist War highlighted deep divisions within Spain over regionalism, royal succession, and the role of the Church, issues that would continue to affect Spanish society for decades to come.
Source: en.wikipedia.org