The repressive measures taken by the various European governments to curb liberal and progressive ideas produced a natural reaction and soon there was a sprut of secret societies (like Carbonari in Italy) which met under the cover of darkness and ventilated their grievances, and greatly contributed to growth of democratic movements in various countries.
Spanish Struggle for Democracy. The lead in this regard was provided by Spain where the Spanish soldiers revoked against their King ferdinand VII and forced him to proclaim the old constitution adopted in 1812.
It may be noted that ,Spain had become a part of the Napoleon’s Empire during the French Revolution and the National Assembly of Spain adopted a new constitution for the country in 1812 which was based on liberal principles. This constitution provided the common people their due share in the government.
After the fail of Napoleon this constitution was declared void and despotic rule of Bourbon King Ferdinand VII was re-established. The people of Spain strongly protested against this move and large number of these people were put under arrest. The government of Ferdinand VII resorted to repressive policy.
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It introduced censorship of press and tried to crush the national movement in every possible manner. When the protests of the people of Spain failed to have any effect they decided to take up arms against the King. However, Ferdinand VII acted wisely and restored the liberal constitution of 1812 in Spain. He ordered the circulation of copies of this constitution throughout Spain and promised to enforce the same.
As France was keen about suppressing revolution in Spain, it prevailed on the Spanish King to annul the Constitution of 1812. Even Russia, Prussia and Austria supported France in this move. As a result Spain once again came under the despotic rule.
This despotic rule continued in Spain for many decades and the people continued to agitate for introduction of democracy. It was only in the beginning of the twentieth century that the Spanish people succeeded in attaining democratic rule and Spain was declared a Republic.