What is carlist movement?

The Carlist movement is a Spanish political movement that originated in the early 19th century. It traces its roots to the succession crisis that followed the death of Ferdinand VII of Spain in 1833. The king left no clear heir, and two factions emerged: the liberals, who supported Ferdinand's daughter Isabella as the rightful heir, and the conservatives, who favored his brother Infante Carlos.

The Carlists were named after Infante Carlos, who claimed the throne as Charles V and was supported by a significant number of conservative and traditionalist Spaniards. The movement grew rapidly, especially in the Basque Country, Navarre, and Catalonia, where traditional and Catholic values were strong.

The Carlists were known for their opposition to the liberal, industrializing, and secularizing trends of the 19th century. They believed in the divine right of kings, the supremacy of the Catholic Church, and the importance of traditional social and political structures. They favored a decentralized state, regional autonomy, and a return to a more rural and agrarian economy.

The Carlist movement was involved in several uprisings and civil wars throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the First Carlist War (1833-1840), the Second Carlist War (1872-1876), and the Third Carlist War (1900-1902). These conflicts were often violent, with both sides engaging in atrocities and war crimes.

Today, the Carlist movement still exists as a fringe political force in Spain, but it has largely been eclipsed by other conservative and nationalist movements. Its influence can still be seen in certain regions and among some Catholic, traditionalist, and monarchist groups.