The End of War

After the death of Zumalacárregui in 1835, the Liberals slowly regained the initiative but were not able to win the war in the Basque districts until 1839. They failed to recover the Carlist fortress of Morella and suffered a defeat at the Battle of Maella (1838).

The war effort had taken a heavy toll on Basque economy and regional public finances with a population shaken by a myriad of war related plights—human losses, poverty, disease—and tired with Carlos' own absolutist ambitions and disregard for their self-government. The moderate Jose Antonio Muñagorri negotiated as of 1838 a treaty in Madrid to put an end to war ("Peace and Fueros") leading to the Embrace of Bergara (also Vergara), ratified by Basque moderate liberals and disaffected Carlists across all the main cities and countryside.

The war in the Basque Country ended with the Convenio de Bergara, also known as the Abrazo de Bergara ("the Embrace of Bergara", Bergara in Basque) on 31 August 1839, between the Liberal general Baldomero Espartero, Count of Luchana and the Carlist General Rafael Maroto. Some authors have written that General Maroto was a traitor who forced Carlos to accept the peace with little focus as to the precise context in the Basque Country.

In the east, General Cabrera continued fighting, but when Espartero conquered Morella and Cabrera in Catalonia (30 May 1840), the fate of the Carlists was sealed. Espartero progressed to Berga, and by mid-July 1840 the Carlist troops had to flee to France. Considered a hero, Cabrera returned to Portugal in 1848 for the Second Carlist War.

Outline of the First Carlist War (1833 to 1839)

HISTORIC BATTLES

First Carlist War (1833 to 1839)

The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain from 1833 to 1839, fought between factions over the succession to the throne and the nature of the Spanish monarchy. It was fought between supporters of the regent, Maria Christina, acting for Isabella II of Spain, and those of the late king's brother, Carlos de Borbón (or Carlos V). The Carlists supported return to an absolute monarchy. View Historic Battle »

Basque reasons for Carlist uprising: Since the 18th century, a new emergent class had an interest in weakening the powerful Basque nobles and their influence in commerce, including that extending throughout the world with the help of the Jesuit order.

The contenders: Another important reason for the massive mobilisation of the western Basque provinces and Navarre for the Carlist cause was the tremendous influence of the Basque clergy in the society, one that still addressed to them in their own language, Basque, unlike school and administration, institutions where Spanish had been imposed by then.

The combatants: Both sides raised special troops during the war. The Liberal side formed the volunteer Basque units known as the Chapelgorris, while Tomás de Zumalacárregui created the special units known as aduaneros.

War in the Northern Front: The Basque regional governments of Biscay, Álava, and Gipuzkoa followed suit by pledging obedience to Zumalacárregui.

War in the Southern Front: In the south, the Carlist general Miguel Gómez Damas attempted to establish a strong position there for the Carlists, and he left Ronda on November 18, 1836, entering Algeciras on November 22.

The end of war: The war effort had taken a heavy toll on Basque economy and regional public finances with a population shaken by a myriad of war related plights.

Consequences: The financial and trading bourgeoisie burgeoned, but after Carlist war the Treasury's coffers were depleted and the army pending discharge.
Battles of the First Carlist War (Chronology)

HISTORIC BATTLES

Battles of the First Carlist War (Chronology)

Battle of Alsasua (April 22, 1834) - Carlist victory

Battle of Alegría de Álava (October 27, 1834) - Carlist victory

Battle of Venta de Echávarri (October 28, 1834) - Carlist victory

Battle of Mendaza (December 12, 1834) - Liberal victory

First Battle of Arquijas (December 15, 1834) - Liberal victory

Second Battle of Arquijas (February 5, 1835) - Carlist victory

Battle of Artaza (April 22, 1835) - Carlist victory

Lord Eliot Convention April 27–28, 1835 - British-sponsored agreement between Carlists and Liberals regarding treatment of prisoners

Battle of Mendigorría (July 16, 1835) - Liberal victory

Battle of Arlabán (January 16–18, 1836) - Carlist victory

Battle of Terapegui (April 26, 1836) - Liberal victory

Battle of Villarrobledo (September 20, 1836) - Liberal victory

Battle of Majaceite (November 23, 1836) - Liberal victory

Battle of Luchana (December 24, 1836) - Liberal victory

Battle of Oriamendi (March 16, 1837) - Carlist victory

Battle of Huesca (March 24, 1837) - Liberal victory

Battle of Villar de los Navarros (August 24, 1837) - Carlist victory

Battle of Aranzueque (September 1837) - Liberal victory, end of Carlist campaign known as the Expedición Real

Battle of Maella (October 1, 1838) - Carlist victory

Battle of Peñacerrada (June 20–22, 1838) - Liberal victory

Battle of Ramales (May 13, 1839) - Liberal victory

HISTORY

First Carlist War (1833 to 1839)

The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain from 1833 to 1839, fought between factions over the succession to the throne and the nature of the Spanish monarchy. It was fought between supporters of the regent, Maria Christina, acting for Isabella II of Spain, and those of the late king's brother, Carlos de Borbón (or Carlos V). The Carlists supported return to an absolute monarchy.