The Battle of Arquijas (1835)

The Battle of Arquijas (1835) and the Carlist Wars: A Turning Point in Spanish History

The Carlist Wars were a series of civil wars fought in Spain during the 19th century, primarily between the supporters of the liberal monarchy, represented by the Isabelino forces (loyal to Queen Isabella II), and the Carlists, who supported the claims of Carlos María Isidro de Borbón to the Spanish throne. These wars were characterized by brutal, often localized fighting, where the political and ideological divide between the Carlists and the Liberals fueled violence across the country. Among the various battles fought during these turbulent years, the Battle of Arquijas, fought in 1835, stands as a significant yet often overlooked encounter in the broader context of the Carlist War.

Background to the Carlist Wars

The Carlist Wars had their roots in a succession crisis following the death of King Ferdinand VII of Spain in 1833. Ferdinand had no male heirs, and his death precipitated a struggle for the throne between his daughter, Isabella II, who was backed by liberal forces, and his brother, Carlos María Isidro, who claimed the throne as a traditionalist, conservative monarch. The dispute over the rightful ruler of Spain set off a series of armed conflicts that divided the nation and saw loyalist troops clash with rebels in several key battles.

The first of these wars, known as the First Carlist War (1833-1840), was marked by the presence of various factions, including the Carlist forces, composed mostly of rural and conservative elements, and the Isabelinos, who were supported by the growing urban centers and the military. The war was fought across Spain, and many of its battles took place in isolated or strategically important locations, with each side attempting to gain control over the vast, difficult-to-navigate Spanish countryside.

The Battle of Arquijas, which took place in 1835, was one such engagement during the First Carlist War. It occurred within the broader campaign of the Carlists to consolidate their power and expand their territory in northern Spain, where they enjoyed substantial support. The battle is often noted for its relatively small scale, but its implications were significant for the balance of power in the region at the time.

Location and Participants

The Battle of Arquijas took place near the small village of Arquijas, located in the northern part of Spain, near the borders of the provinces of Álava and Guipúzcoa. This area, which lies in the Basque Country, was an important stronghold for the Carlist forces, who were keen to secure control over this region to gain access to both the mountainous terrain, which offered strategic advantages, and the loyalty of the local Basque population.

The combatants at the Battle of Arquijas consisted of forces aligned with the Carlists on one side and the Isabelino (liberal) forces on the other. The Carlists were led by local commanders and had the advantage of support from rural, conservative elements in the Basque Country. The Liberal forces, known for their more centralized, urban-based power base, were determined to suppress the Carlist rebellion and maintain control over the Spanish monarchy.

The Combatants’ Background

The Carlists: The Carlist faction in the Basque Country was particularly strong, benefiting from a deep cultural connection with the region. They supported the claims of Carlos María Isidro de Borbón, and they were generally made up of rural, conservative, and traditionalist segments of the population. This included farmers, peasants, and the clergy, all of whom were disillusioned with the liberal reforms being imposed by the Isabelino government.
The Isabelinos: The liberal forces, loyal to Queen Isabella II, included the Spanish army and urban-based militias that were determined to protect the constitutional monarchy. The Isabelinos were generally supported by cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, where liberal ideas were stronger. However, their forces were often undermanned, and they struggled to consolidate power in the face of local uprisings and Carlist resistance.

The Battle

The Battle of Arquijas was relatively small in terms of the number of troops involved, but it was significant in its outcome. The Carlists, using their knowledge of the local terrain and supported by the sympathies of the Basque population, managed to achieve a decisive victory. Despite the Liberal forces’ attempts to maintain their positions and push back against the Carlist advance, they were overwhelmed by the Carlist’s superior tactics in the rugged terrain.

The success of the Carlists at Arquijas was part of a broader trend during the early years of the Carlist War, where they often prevailed in smaller, localized battles due to their superior knowledge of the land and the loyalty of local populations. These early victories were critical for the Carlists, as they allowed them to maintain morale and continue their efforts to challenge the central government.

The Aftermath

The victory at Arquijas was a notable one for the Carlists, as it helped them secure further territory in the Basque Country, which remained one of their most significant strongholds throughout the war. It also demonstrated the continuing challenge the Isabelino government faced in trying to suppress the Carlist rebellion. Although the Carlists did not decisively win the First Carlist War, their ability to control large areas of northern Spain during the early years of the conflict made them a persistent threat to the central government.

For the Isabelino forces, the battle was a setback, but it was not catastrophic. The war continued for several more years, with both sides engaging in a series of clashes. Despite their early defeats, the Isabelinos were able to gain ground in later stages of the conflict, partly due to the strategic leadership of generals such as Baldomero Espartero, who would eventually become one of the central figures in the liberal victory.

The Role of Arquijas in the Carlist War

The Battle of Arquijas, though not as widely remembered as some of the major confrontations of the Carlist Wars, serves as a reminder of the complexity and intensity of this civil conflict. It underscores the role that smaller, regional battles played in shaping the outcome of the war. The Carlists, despite their relative lack of formal military training and resources compared to the Isabelino forces, were able to win key battles due to their knowledge of the local environment, their ability to rally local support, and their fierce determination to defend traditional Spanish values.

The battle also highlights the deep political and social divide within Spain during the 19th century. The Carlist forces were not merely rebelling against a political regime but were also defending a set of cultural values that were deeply tied to the rural and conservative elements of Spanish society. In contrast, the Isabelino forces represented the modernizing efforts of a more urbanized Spain that was looking toward liberal reforms and centralization of power.

Conclusion

The Battle of Arquijas is one of the many pivotal yet often underappreciated engagements in the First Carlist War. It marked another chapter in the ongoing struggle between Spain’s conservatives and liberals, a conflict that would continue to shape the nation’s political landscape for years to come. While the Carlists emerged victorious at Arquijas, the war itself was far from over, with both sides continuing to clash in a series of battles that would eventually lead to a prolonged, bitter struggle for the Spanish throne. The Carlists’ victory at Arquijas, however, remains a testament to their resilience, tactical prowess, and the deep political divisions that would characterize much of Spain’s 19th-century history.

References

Showalter, D. (2014). Encyclopedia of Warfare. p. 630.
The Carlist Wars: A Study in Spanish Civil War.