Nominal beginning of the Bourbon Restoration; anniversary date that Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba.

The term "Bourbon Restoration" typically refers to periods in European history when the House of Bourbon, a prominent European royal dynasty originating in France, returned to power after being deposed. These restorations often followed significant political upheavals, such as revolutions or wars, and represent attempts to reinstate traditional monarchical rule. While the underlying desire for stability and a return to pre-revolutionary order was common, the specific circumstances, durations, and outcomes of these restorations varied significantly across different nations.

The Bourbon Restoration in France (1814-1830)

Following the tumultuous era of the French Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars, the Bourbon monarchy was twice restored to the throne of France. The first instance, often simply referred to as the Bourbon Restoration in France, occurred in 1814 with the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte and the ascension of Louis XVIII, brother of the executed Louis XVI. This period sought to reconcile the legacy of the revolution with the traditions of the monarchy, operating under a constitutional charter that granted some liberties while reaffirming royal authority.

However, this initial restoration was dramatically interrupted in 1815 by Napoleon's astonishing return from exile, known as the "Hundred Days." During this brief period, Napoleon attempted to reclaim his empire, forcing Louis XVIII to flee. After Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Louis XVIII was once again restored to the throne later in 1815, marking the true beginning of the longer restoration period. He was succeeded by his more conservative brother, Charles X, in 1824. Charles X's attempts to roll back many of the revolutionary gains and his increasingly absolutist policies ultimately led to the July Revolution of 1830, which saw the Bourbons replaced by the more liberal House of Orléans, thus ending this particular Bourbon Restoration.

The Restoration of Bourbons in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1815-1861)

In the southern Italian peninsula, the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily had also experienced the destabilizing effects of the Napoleonic Wars. Ferdinand IV of Naples and III of Sicily, a member of the Bourbon-Two Sicilies branch, had been deposed by Napoleon, who installed his own family members on the Neapolitan throne. With Napoleon's final defeat and the decisions made at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Ferdinand was restored to his kingdom. He subsequently unified his two separate realms into the new Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, taking the title Ferdinand I.

This restoration solidified Bourbon rule over southern Italy and Sicily for several more decades. However, the kingdom faced internal challenges from liberal and nationalist movements, particularly during the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. The Bourbon rule in the Two Sicilies ultimately came to an end in 1861, when Giuseppe Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand conquered the kingdom, leading to its incorporation into the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.

Spanish Bourbons and Multiple Restorations

Spain, another major European power, witnessed several distinct periods referred to as "restorations" involving its Bourbon monarchy, each with its unique historical context and significance.

The Absolutist Restoration (1814-1868)

Following the Peninsular War (part of the Napoleonic Wars) and the expulsion of the French, Ferdinand VII, the Bourbon king who had been held captive by Napoleon, was restored to the Spanish throne in 1814. This period is often termed the "Absolutist Restoration" because Ferdinand immediately abolished the liberal Constitution of 1812, which had been drawn up during his absence, and reinstated absolute monarchy. His reign was marked by political repression, a brief liberal interlude (the Trienio Liberal, 1820-1823), and the rise of Carlist Wars, dynastic conflicts over succession. This absolutist phase of Bourbon rule lasted until the Glorious Revolution of 1868, which led to Ferdinand VII's daughter, Isabella II, being deposed and a brief republican experiment.

The Restoration (Spain) (1874-1931)

After a period of political instability, including the First Spanish Republic, the Bourbon monarchy was once again restored in Spain in 1874. This era is generally known simply as "The Restoration" in Spanish history. It began with the proclamation of Alfonso XII, son of the deposed Isabella II, as king. This restoration aimed to establish a stable constitutional monarchy, characterized by a system known as *turnismo*, where two major political parties (Conservatives and Liberals) alternated in power, often through electoral manipulation. This system provided a degree of stability but masked underlying social and political tensions. The monarchy continued under Alfonso XIII, but increasing political polarization, social unrest, and military setbacks ultimately led to the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, ending this lengthy period of Bourbon rule.

Spanish Transition to Democracy (1975-Present)

The most recent return of the Bourbons to power in Spain occurred following the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975. After nearly four decades of authoritarian rule, Juan Carlos I, grandson of Alfonso XIII, was proclaimed King of Spain. This event marked the beginning of Spain's remarkable "transition to democracy." Rather than attempting to restore an absolutist regime, King Juan Carlos I played a pivotal role in dismantling the Francoist dictatorship and guiding the country towards a modern, parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The 1978 Spanish Constitution solidified this new democratic framework, with the monarch serving as the head of state but with limited political powers. The current monarch, King Felipe VI, who ascended to the throne in 2014, continues this tradition, representing the Spanish state within a fully democratic system, making this the longest-lasting modern Bourbon restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bourbon Restorations

What does "Bourbon Restoration" generally mean?
It refers to historical periods when members of the House of Bourbon, a European royal dynasty, returned to power after having been deposed due to revolutions, wars, or other major political upheavals.
Why were there multiple Bourbon restorations across different countries?
The Bourbon family was a powerful and interconnected dynasty ruling in several European countries (France, Spain, parts of Italy). As a result, the political instability of the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the impact of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, often led to the overthrow of Bourbon monarchs in various states. The subsequent efforts to restore old orders or establish new constitutional monarchies frequently brought Bourbons back to their respective thrones.
What was the "Hundred Days" in the context of the French Bourbon Restoration?
The "Hundred Days" was a brief but dramatic period in 1815 when Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile on the island of Elba and returned to France, rallying support and briefly reclaiming the imperial throne. This forced King Louis XVIII, who had been restored to power in 1814, to flee. Napoleon's reign during this time lasted approximately 111 days before his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and subsequent permanent exile.
How did the Spanish Bourbons return to power in 1975?
In 1975, upon the death of dictator General Francisco Franco, King Juan Carlos I, whom Franco had designated as his successor, was proclaimed King of Spain. Instead of maintaining the dictatorship, Juan Carlos I skillfully led Spain's transition from authoritarian rule to a parliamentary democracy, establishing the current constitutional monarchy.
Are Bourbons still monarchs today?
Yes, the House of Bourbon continues to reign in Spain. King Felipe VI, a descendant of the Spanish Bourbon line, is the current head of state of Spain, which operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.