Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – "Cualquier tiempo pasado fue anterior | El primer sueño republicano español"

Host: Nieves Concostrina
Guests and Contributors: Emma Valle Espinos, Pepe Rubio, Ana Baltierra, Jesús Pozo, Carmen Gallardo
Date: 30 April, 2023
Duration: ~57 min (content begins at 00:32)

Overview

This episode, hosted by Nieves Concostrina, is a witty, critical, and in-depth exploration of the brief and tumultuous period of the First Spanish Republic (1873-1874). The episode unpacks the complex events, political personalities, social upheavals, and art of the time, highlighting why the Republic was proclaimed, the internal conflicts it faced, and the swift, tragic manner of its demise. With humor and sharp historical perspective, Nieves and her guests revisit a lost opportunity for Spanish democracy, emphasizing recurring patterns in the nation's political culture.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fall of the Monarchy and the Unexpected Republic

Timestamp: 00:32 – 06:34

• Setting the Scene: On February 11th, 1873, chaos ensued in the Spanish Parliament after King Amadeo I of Savoy abdicated, leaving politicians bewildered and leaderless.

• Proclamation of the Republic: With no viable monarch in sight, and even monarchist MPs exhausted and without arguments, the Republic was proclaimed by 258 votes to 32, essentially by default rather than revolution:

  “Nadie trae la República, la traen todas las circunstancias, o sea que la monarquía, entre todos los reyes, la mataron y ella sola se murió”
  — Nieves Concostrina quoting Emilio Castelar (03:20)

• Historical Framing: The period from the fall of Isabel II in 1868 to the restoration of the Bourbons in 1874 is redefined as the Sexenio Democrático, highlighting early democratic aspirations like male universal suffrage, freedom of association, press, and secularism.

  “Eso no era revolución, eso se llama democracia.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (04:46)

2. Turmoil After Amadeo: A Nation in Crisis

Timestamp: 06:49 – 12:09

• Aftermath: With Spain impoverished, dealing with war in Cuba, and Carlist uprisings, Amadeo’s departure threw the country into further chaos.

• Elections and Political Fragmentation: The Partido Republicano Federal swept the nascent elections, but immediate infighting divided the federalists (U.S.-style), unitarians (French-style), and intransigentes (radicals).

  “La república solo es una forma de gobierno. La ideología es otra cosa.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (08:11)

• Internal Strife: Presidents cycled rapidly due to infighting:

  • Stanislao Figueras: Resigned famously exclaiming,

    “Señores, ya no aguanto más. Voy a serles franco. Estoy hasta los cojones de todos nosotros.”
    — (11:20)

  • Francisco Pi y Margall: Overwhelmed by the eruption of cantonalist movements and conflicts, resigned after just over a month.

  • Nicolás Salmerón: Left office rather than sign death sentences, affirming his moral opposition to capital punishment.

  • Emilio Castelar: Tried to clamp down on federal revolts, but resigned, realizing no leader could contain the situation.

3. The Allegory and the Optimism of the Republic

Timestamp: 23:47 – 33:09

• Guest Segment (Ana Baltierra, Art Historian): Dissects the iconic allegory of the First Republic, created by Tomás Padró for the satirical magazine La Flaca.

  • The allegory is a richly symbolic image evoking progress, justice, and maternal care for the nation. It features:

    • A red-tunicked woman (Mother Spain) with exposed breast, wings for victory, a Phrygian cap (liberty), a balance for justice, and surrounded by symbols of modernity and hope—a rainbow in the republican colors, tools of industry, and even a rooster to mark a new dawn.

  • Baltierra explains:

    "Esta alegoría de la República es una representación que simboliza la República. Fue una imagen muy difundida... hasta esta imagen se la terminó llamando la niña bonita."
    — Ana Baltierra (24:00)

• Satirical Edge: La Flaca’s illustration, with its emaciated matron and lion, pokes fun at the frailty of the union between the monarchy and the people at the time.

4. The Tale of Maria Victoria dal Pozzo: “La Reina de las Lavanderas”

Timestamp: 33:22 – 44:47

• Guest Segment (Carmen Gallardo, Interviewed by Jesús Pozo): Focus on the consort of Amadeo I, Maria Victoria dal Pozzo—perhaps Spain’s best queen, yet largely forgotten.

  • Highly cultured, charitable, and progressive, Maria Victoria was opposed from the start by the reactionary aristocracy.

  • Her acts of compassion, like founding and funding a refuge for washerwomen in Madrid (the roots of the book’s title), left a lasting positive legacy.

    "Había, no nos olvidemos, unas cuatro mil mujeres en aquel momento que se dedicaban, que eran las lavanderas del Manzanares..."
    — Carmen Gallardo (41:01)

  • The “Rebellion of the Mantillas”: Nobility humiliated the queen by orchestrating a “mantilla” protest, which was subverted by a bold act of solidarity from Madrid’s prostitutes.

  • Maria Victoria’s early death (age 29) from illness, and her empathetic reign, are contrasted with the self-interest and vanity of the Spanish elite.

5. The Cantonalist Revolutions: Spain “Breaking Up”

Timestamp: 45:08 – 53:26

• The Cantonal Uprisings: In the wake of slow-moving federal reform, localities like Cartagena, Salamanca, Murcia, and even small Jumilla declared themselves “cantons”—mini-republics—ignoring central authority.

• Memorable Mockery: Nieves lampoons modern politicians who accuse Catalans of wanting to “break Spain”, reminding listeners that Andalusians, Murcians, and Castilians led the way in cantonalist rebellion way before.

  “No creo que esto lo escuche Alberto Núñez Feijóo, porque aprendería, pero además mejor que no lo escuche. Le explotaría la cabeza al saber la cantidad de andaluces, murcianos y castellanos que pusieron en peligro la integridad de la nación española.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (45:18)

• The Cantón of Cartagena: The most radical, minted its own currency, introduced the 8-hour workday, divorce, and abolished the death penalty, resisting Madrid for months.

• The Fatal Flaw: These movements, while democratic at heart, created a sense of chaos. The government’s conservative turn and military crackdowns followed, paving the way for the Republic’s death.

  “El movimiento cantonalista no ayudó a hacer república. Todo lo contrario. El propio gobierno de Madrid... empezó a volverse más conservador y a optar por la república centralista... los incidentes los aprovecharon los enemigos de la República.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (52:20)

6. Why Did the First Republic Fail?

Timestamp: 19:04 and 53:26

• Many Internal and External Enemies:

  • Monarchist saboteurs in disguise within the assembly, akin to tactics used by Hitler or modern far-right forces.
  • Simultaneous wars (Carlist and Cuban), and powerful oligarchs hostile to social reform.
  • Federalists’ impatience and anarchist reluctance to support even beneficial State measures.

• Key Quote Summing Up the Episode:

  “¿Por qué murió la República? Pues porque entre todos la mataron y ella sola se murió.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (20:00, 53:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “La monarquía, entre todos los reyes, la mataron y ella sola se murió.”
  — Emilio Castelar (as quoted by Nieves, 03:20)
• “Estoy hasta los cojones de todos nosotros.”
  — Stanislao Figueras (as cited by Nieves, 11:20)
• “La democracia empezó a construirse en este país con los primeros movimientos republicanos.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (20:00)
• Mocking Modern Myths:
  “¿Conocen algún cartagenero o jumillano que se abonara a repetir como loros aquella chorrada que soltó José María Aznar de España se rompe?”
  — Nieves Concostrina (45:08)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:32 – 06:34: The fall of Amadeo, proclamation of the Republic, atmosphere in Parliament
• 06:49 – 12:09: Elections, fragmentations, and serial presidential resignations
• 12:09 – 14:24: Pi y Margall’s struggles and the rise of cantonalist agitation
• 23:47 – 33:09: Ana Baltierra on the allegory of the Republic (artistic symbols and meanings)
• 33:22 – 44:47: Carmen Gallardo on Maria Victoria dal Pozzo and her legacy
• 45:08 – 53:26: Nieves on the “cantonalist” revolts and their consequences
• 53:26 – end: Closing reflections, music, and staff sign-off

Final Thoughts

Nieves Concostrina weaves a rich, ironic, and historically astute narrative, encouraging listeners to reconsider commonplaces about Spain’s republican experiments. The episode stands out not only for its content but also for its irreverent, relatable style, making the complexities of 19th-century Spanish politics accessible, and even entertaining. The detailed focus on iconic art and forgotten figures like Maria Victoria dal Pozzo broadens the perspective beyond dry political chronicles.

Recommended for anyone curious about Spanish history, political innovation (and failure), and the cycle of reform and reaction that continues to shape Spain.